As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
Securities Act Registration No. 333-123290
Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-21726
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment No. 162 |
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(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (877) 244-6235
The Corporation Trust Company
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With Copies To:
Bo J. Howell
Strauss Troy Co., LPA
150 E. 4th Street, 4th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Immediately following effectiveness of this post-effective amendment.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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On pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box:
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This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
IMS Capital Management, Inc.
IMS Capital Value Fund
Institutional Class Shares (Ticker Symbol: )
IMS Strategic Income Fund
Institutional Class Shares (Ticker Symbol: )
each a series of the
360 Funds
PROSPECTUS
This Prospectus relates to one class of shares (Institutional Class shares), currently offered by IMS Capital Management, Inc., for each of the IMS Capital Value Fund and IMS Strategic Income Fund, for questions or for Shareholder Services, please call (877) 244-6235.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling or sending an e-mail request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex/your financial intermediary.
Table of Contents
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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries |
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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS |
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The Funds’ Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies |
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Important Information about Procedures for Opening a New Account |
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The investment objective of the IMS Capital Value Fund (the “Value Fund”) is long-term growth from capital appreciation,
and secondarily, income from dividends.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Value Fund.
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Institutional |
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Redemption Fees (as a % of amount redeemed, a redemption fee will be assessed on shares of the Fund that are held for 90 days or less) |
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Institutional |
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Management Fees |
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Other Expenses |
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Interest Expense |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Value Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This expense example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Value Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The expense example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Value Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your cost would be:
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Period Invested |
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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Institutional Class |
$ |
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The Value Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Value Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Expense Example above, affect the Value Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The investment objective of the Value Fund is long-term growth from capital appreciation, and secondarily, income from dividends. The Value Fund invests primarily in common stocks of mid-cap and large-cap U.S. companies. With respect to both mid-cap and large-cap stocks, the Adviser employs a selection process designed to produce a diversified portfolio of companies exhibiting both value and positive momentum characteristics. Value characteristics include a historically low stock price, as well as historically low fundamental ratios such as price to earnings, price to sales, price to book value and price to cash flow. Positive momentum characteristics include positive earnings revisions, positive earnings surprises, relative price strength and other developments that may favorably affect a company’s stock price, such as a new product or change in management.
1
The Adviser seeks to reduce risk through diversification and through the ownership of undervalued companies, which may be less volatile than overpriced companies whose fundamentals do not support their valuations. The Value Fund typically invests in mid-cap securities, which the Adviser defines as those with a market capitalization of approximately $2 billion to $11 billion, and in large-cap securities, which the Adviser defines as those with a market capitalization of greater than $11 billion. The Adviser generally seeks companies that it believes are well-capitalized, globally diversified, and that have the resources to weather negative business conditions successfully.
Most stocks in the Value Fund’s portfolio fall into one of the Adviser’s seven strategic focus areas: healthcare, technology, financial services, communications/entertainment, consumer, consolidating industries (i.e., companies buying other companies in an industry) and industries that, in the past, have declined less than others during general market declines (i.e., defensive industries). The Adviser believes that stocks in these focus areas have the potential to produce superior long-term returns. In addition, the Adviser carefully diversifies the Value Fund’s holdings to ensure representation in all ten major broad-based industry sectors as defined by Standard & Poor’s, Inc.
Although the Value Fund intends to be invested primarily in mid-cap and large-cap stocks as described above, the Value Fund may also invest in common stocks of any capitalization. The Value Fund may pursue its investment objective directly or indirectly through investments in other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and open-end and closed-end mutual funds) that invest in the securities described above.
The Value Fund typically will sell a portfolio company if both of the following occur: (1) a company’s stock price exceeds the Adviser’s target sell price; and (2) the company demonstrates that it may be losing positive momentum as described above. The Value Fund also could sell a portfolio company earlier if the Adviser believes that the company’s stock price may not reach the Adviser’s target sell price due to a material event, such as major industry-wide change, a significant change in the company’s management or direction, the emergence of a better opportunity within the same industry, or if the company becomes involved in a merger or acquisition.
The Value Fund’s primary objective is capital appreciation. The Value Fund seeks to achieve its secondary objective of income by investing in dividend-paying stocks.
As a result of the Adviser’s overall strategy, the Value Fund engages in active trading of portfolio securities which causes the Value Fund to experience a high portfolio turnover rate.
2
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Market risk – Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Value Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. |
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Turnover risk – Through active trading, the Value Fund may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which can mean greater distributions taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes and lower performance due to increased brokerage costs. |
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Mid-cap risk – The Value Fund invests in mid-cap companies, which may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because such companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and depend upon a relatively small management group. |
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Large-cap risk – Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion. |
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Management style risk – The Value Fund intends to invest in value-oriented stocks (stocks that the Adviser believes are undervalued), and the Value Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than that of similar funds with other focuses or that have a broader investment style. |
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Value securities risk – Value stocks are those that appear to be underpriced based upon valuation measures, such as lower price-to-earnings ratios and price-to-book ratios. Investments in value-oriented securities may expose the Value Fund to the risk of underperformance during periods when value stocks do not perform as well as other kinds of investments or market averages. |
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Investment company securities risk – When the Value Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the other investment company. Therefore, the Value Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Value Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of leverage by the underlying funds). ETFs are subject to additional risks such as the fact that the ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its net asset value or an active market may not develop. To the extent that the Value Fund invests in ETFs that invest in commodities, the Value Fund will be subject to the risk that the demand and supply of these commodities may fluctuate widely. Commodity ETFs may use derivatives, which exposes them to further risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the risk that the institution on the other side of their trade will default). |
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Industry risk – The value of securities in a particular industry (such as financial services, technology or healthcare) may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of a particular industry. The Fund intends to hold a number of different individual securities, seeking to manage risks in a particular industry. However, the Fund does concentrate on the healthcare, technology, financial services, communications/entertainment, consumer, consolidating and defensive industries. As a consequence, the share price of the Fund may fluctuate in response to factors affecting a particular industry, and may fluctuate more widely than a fund that invests in a broader range of industries. The Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political, or regulatory occurrence affecting the aforementioned industries. |
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Large shareholder risk – Certain shareholders, including other funds advised by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, may from time to time own a substantial amount of shares of the Fund. In addition, a third party investor, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, or another entity may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Fund or to facilitate the Fund’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment of that the size of the Fund would be maintained at such levels. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Fund. Similarly, large purchases of shares of the Fund may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. The Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions, diluting its investment returns. |
The Value Fund’s as of was %. During the periods shown in the bar chart, the was % during the quarter ended and the was % during the quarter ended .
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2020)
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IMS Capital Value Fund |
One Year |
Five Years |
Ten Years |
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Return Before Taxes |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
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S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
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4
Current performance
of the Value Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Updated performance information may be obtained by
calling (877) 244-6235 or accessed on the Adviser’s website at
Management. IMS Capital Management, Inc. serves as the Value Fund’s investment adviser. Mr. Carl W. Marker is the Value Fund’s portfolio manager and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Value Fund’s portfolio.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares. The minimum initial investment in Institutional Class shares of the Value Fund is $5,000 for regular accounts and $2,000 for Coverdell Savings Accounts and UGMAs. Subsequent investments must be amounts of at least $100. You may sell your shares on days when the Value Fund is open for business. The Adviser may waive such fee for certain qualified retirement plan and advisory fee-based platforms.
You can purchase or redeem shares directly from the Value Fund on any business day the New York Stock Exchange is open directly by calling the Value Fund at (877) 244-6235, where you may also obtain more information about purchasing or redeeming shares by mail, facsimile or bank wire. The Value Fund has also authorized certain broker-dealers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Value Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact their broker-dealer directly.
Tax Information. The Value Fund’s distributions will generally be taxed to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Distributions on investments made through tax deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or IRAs may be taxed later upon a withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. If you purchase shares of the Value Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Value Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Value Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Value Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
5
The investment objective of the IMS Strategic Income Fund (the “Income Fund”) is current income,
and a secondary objective is capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Income Fund.
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Institutional |
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Redemption Fees (as a % of amount redeemed, a redemption fee will be assessed on shares of the Fund that are held for 90 days or less) |
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Institutional |
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Management Fees |
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Other Expenses |
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement1 |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement |
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Income Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
This expense example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Income Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The expense example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, the Income Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only through October 31, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your cost would be:
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Period Invested |
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
6
The Income Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Income Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Income Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Income Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The investment objective of the Income Fund is current income, and a secondary objective is capital appreciation. The Adviser has the flexibility to invest in a broad range of fixed income and equity securities that produce current income. The Adviser allocates the Income Fund’s assets among different types of securities based on its assessment of potential risks and returns, and the Adviser may change the weighting among securities as market conditions change, in an effort to obtain the most attractive combination of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
In pursuing its investment objectives, the Income Fund generally invests in corporate bonds, government bonds, dividend-paying common stocks, preferred and convertible preferred stocks, income trusts (including business trusts, oil royalty trusts and real estate investment trusts), money market instruments and cash equivalents. The Income Fund may also invest in structured products, such as reverse convertible notes, a type of structured note, and in 144A securities that are purchased in private placements and thus are subject to restrictions on resale (either as a matter of contract or under federal securities laws), but only where the Adviser has determined that a liquid trading market exists. Under normal circumstances, the Income Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying or other income producing securities.
The Income Fund can invest in debt securities of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund considers investment-grade securities to be those rated BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. (“Fitch”), or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. The Income Fund may invest up to 100% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in domestic investment grade fixed income securities of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund may also invest up to 45% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in domestic high yield fixed income securities (“junk bonds”) of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund may invest in distressed securities, including securities that are in default or the issuers of which are in bankruptcy, so long as the Adviser has determined that the securities are liquid. At times, the Income Fund’s position in illiquid securities may comprise a significant portion of the portfolio. Illiquid securities are subject to a number of risks which are discussed below. If market quotations for illiquid securities are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable by the Adviser, the security will be valued at a fair value determined in good faith by the Adviser. There is no assurance that the Income Fund will receive fair valuation upon the sale of a security. The Income Fund may invest up to 35% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in foreign equity and debt securities that pay dividends or interest, including foreign debt securities and foreign sovereign debt of any duration, quality and maturity, as well as securities of issuers located in emerging markets.
Subject to the limitations described above, the Income Fund may pursue its investment objective directly or indirectly through investments in other investment companies (including ETFs, and open-end and closed-end mutual funds) that invest in the securities described above.
As a result of the Adviser’s overall strategy, the Income Fund engages in active trading of portfolio securities which causes the Income Fund to experience a high portfolio turnover rate.
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Fixed income securities risk – The value of the Income Fund may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates rise, the value of most income producing instruments decreases to adjust the price to market yields. Interest rate risk is greater for long-term debt securities than for short-term and floating rate securities. It is possible that an issuer of a security will become unable to meet its obligations. This risk is greater for securities that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated. |
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High yield securities risk – The Income Fund may be subject to greater levels of price volatility as a result of investing in high yield fixed-income securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as junk bonds). The issuers of such bonds have a lower ability to make principal and interest payments, and are thus more likely to default. If this occurs, or is perceived as likely to occur, the values of these securities will generally be more volatile and are likely to fall. A default or expected default could also make it difficult for the Income Fund to sell the securities at the value the Income Fund previously placed on them. An economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or increased price volatility could adversely affect the market for these securities, and reduce the number of buyers should the Income Fund need to sell these securities (liquidity risk). Should an issuer declare bankruptcy, the Income Fund could also lose its entire investment. When the Income Fund invests in foreign high yield bonds (including sovereign debt), it will be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks are described below under “Foreign securities risk.” |
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Distressed securities risk – Investments in distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in high yield securities. Issuers of distressed securities may be engaged in restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings, or may be in default on the payment of principal or interest. The Income Fund may incur costs participating in legal proceedings involving the issuer or otherwise protecting its investment. The Income Fund generally will not receive interest payments on distressed securities, and there is a substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. If the issuer of a distressed security is engaged in restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings, the Income Fund may lose the entire value of its investment in the distressed security or be required to accept payment of cash or securities with a value far less than the Income Fund’s original investment. Distressed securities also may have restrictions on resale. |
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Liquidity risk – Illiquid and/or restricted securities in the Income Fund’s portfolio may reduce the Income Fund’s returns because the Income Fund may be unable to sell such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or when required to do so (such as in response to redemption requests), or may be able to sell them only at less than their market value. Securities particularly sensitive to illiquidity include U.S. and foreign high yield debt obligations and private placement securities. |
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Dividend strategy risk – There can be no assurances that the Adviser will be able to correctly anticipate the level of dividends that companies will pay in any given timeframe. If the Adviser’s expectations as to potential dividends are wrong, the Income Fund’s performance may be adversely affected. The strategy also will expose the Income Fund to increased trading costs and potential for short-term capital losses or gains. |
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Dividend tax risk – There can be no assurances that the dividends received by the Income Fund from its investments will consist of tax-advantaged qualifying dividends eligible for either the dividends-received deduction for corporate Income Fund shareholders that are otherwise eligible for such deduction or for treatment as qualified dividends eligible for long-term capital gain rates in respect of non-corporate Income Fund shareholders. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that dividends received by the Income Fund will continue to receive favorable tax treatment in future years. |
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Market risk – Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Income Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. |
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Management style risk – Different styles of management tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. The strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce the intended results and you could lose money. |
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Turnover risk – Through active trading, the Income Fund may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which can mean greater distributions taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes and lower performance due to increased brokerage costs. |
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Preferred stock risk – Preferred stocks rated in the lowest categories of investment grade have speculative characteristics. Preferred stock generally is subject to risks associated with fixed income securities, including credit risk and sensitivity to interest rates. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances that have a negative impact on the issuer may lead to a weakened capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. Preferred stock issuers, under certain conditions, may skip or defer dividend payments for long periods of time. As with common stock, preferred stock is subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in any issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore is subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. |
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REIT risk – To the extent that the Income Fund invests in companies that invest in real estate, such as REITs, the Income Fund may be subject to risk associated with the real estate market as a whole, such as taxation, regulations, and economic and political factors that negatively impact the real estate market, and with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decrease in real estate values, overbuilding, environmental liabilities and increases in operating costs, interest rates and/or property taxes. |
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Investment company securities risk – When the Income Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the other investment company. Therefore, the Income Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Income Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of leverage by the underlying funds). ETFs are subject to additional risks such as the fact that the ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its net asset value or an active market may not develop. Inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. To the extent that the Income Fund invests in ETFs that invest in commodities, the Income Fund will be subject to the risk that the demand and supply of these commodities may fluctuate widely. Commodity ETFs may use derivatives, which exposes them to further risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the risk that the institution on the other side of their trade will default). |
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Structured notes risk – Structured notes, such as reverse convertible notes, are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, as well as the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, as a result of imbedded derivative features in these securities, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer. |
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Income trust risk – Investments in income trusts are subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies controlled by such trusts, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the risk that such management may lack or have limited operating histories. When the Income Fund invests in oil royalty trusts, its return on the investment will be highly dependent on oil and gas prices, which can be highly volatile. Moreover, oil royalty trusts are subject to the risk that the underlying oil and gas reserves attributable to the royalty trust may be depleted. As a group, business trusts typically invest in a broad range of industries and therefore the related risks will vary depending on the underlying industry represented in the business trust’s portfolio. |
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Credit risk – An issuer of debt securities may not make timely payments of principal and interest. |
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Large shareholder risk – Certain shareholders, including other funds advised by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, may from time to time own a substantial amount of shares of the Fund. In addition, a third party investor, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, or another entity may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Fund or to facilitate the Fund’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment of that the size of the Fund would be maintained at such levels. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Fund. Similarly, large purchases of shares of the Fund may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. The Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions, diluting its investment returns. |
The Income Fund’s as of was %. During the period shown in the bar chart, the was % during the quarter ended and the was % during the quarter ended .
10
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2020)
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IMS Strategic Income Fund |
One Year |
Five Years |
Ten Years |
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Return Before Taxes |
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( |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
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( |
( |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
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( |
( |
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Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
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Current performance of the Income Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Updated performance information may be obtained by calling (877) 244-6235 or accessed on the Adviser’s website at
Management. IMS Capital Management, Inc. serves as the Income Fund’s investment adviser. Carl W. Marker is the Income Fund’s portfolio manager and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Income Fund’s portfolio.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares. The minimum initial investment in Institutional Class shares of the Income Fund is $5,000 for regular accounts and $2,000 for Coverdell Savings Accounts and UGMAs. Subsequent investments must be amounts of at least $100. You may sell your shares on days when the Income Fund is open for business. The Adviser may waive such fee for certain qualified retirement plan and advisory fee-based platforms.
You can purchase or redeem shares directly from the Income Fund on any business day the New York Stock Exchange is open directly by calling the Income Fund at (877) 244-6235, where you may also obtain more information about purchasing or redeeming shares by mail, facsimile or bank wire. The Income Fund has also authorized certain broker-dealers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Income Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact their broker-dealer directly.
Tax Information. The Income Fund’s distributions will generally be taxed to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Distributions on investments made through tax deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or IRAs may be taxed later upon a withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. If you purchase shares of the Income Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Income Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Income Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Income Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Funds’ Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies. This section of the Prospectus provides additional information about the investment practices and related risks of the IMS Capital Value Fund (the “Value Fund”) and IMS Strategic Income Fund (the “Income Fund,” and together, a “Fund” or the “Funds”). Each Fund’s investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval; however, a Fund will provide 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders before implementing a change in its investment objective.
IMS Capital Value Fund. The investment objective of the Value Fund is long-term growth from capital appreciation, and secondarily, income from dividends. The Value Fund invests primarily in common stocks of mid-cap and large-cap U.S. companies. With respect to both mid-cap and large-cap stocks, IMS Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”) employs a selection process designed to produce a diversified portfolio of companies exhibiting both value and positive momentum characteristics. Value characteristics include a historically low stock price, as well as historically low fundamental ratios such as price to earnings, price to sales, price to book value and price to cash flow. Positive momentum characteristics include positive earnings revisions, positive earnings surprises, relative price strength and other developments that may favorably affect a company’s stock price, such as a new product or change in management. The Adviser selects stocks based on value characteristics; however, the Value Fund will not invest in an undervalued stock until it also exhibits positive momentum characteristics.
The Adviser seeks to reduce risk through diversification and through the ownership of undervalued companies, which may be less volatile than overpriced companies whose fundamentals do not support their valuations. Companies selected generally will have a total market capitalization at the time of purchase from $2 billion up to $11 billion, which the Adviser considers to be “mid-cap” companies, or greater than $11 billion, which the Adviser considers to be “large-cap” companies. The Value Fund may continue to hold a security even after it falls below these capitalization levels. The Adviser generally seeks companies that the Adviser believes are well-capitalized, globally diversified, and that have the resources to weather negative business conditions successfully. The Adviser believes mid-cap companies have the potential to deliver the best characteristics of both small and large companies – the flexible, innovative, high-growth aspects of small companies and the proven management, products, liquidity and global diversification of large companies.
Most stocks in the Value Fund’s portfolio fall into one of the Adviser’s seven strategic focus areas: healthcare, technology, financial services, communications/entertainment, consumer, consolidating industries (i.e., companies buying other companies in an industry) and industries that, in the past, have declined less than others during general market declines (i.e., defensive industries). The Adviser believes that stocks in these focus areas have the potential to produce superior long-term returns. In addition, the Adviser carefully diversifies the Value Fund’s holdings to ensure representation in all ten major broad-based industry sectors as defined by Standard & Poor’s, Inc.
The Adviser employs a patient approach to the stock selection process, believing that most traditional value managers tend to purchase companies too early. The Adviser believes that after a stock experiences a significant decline, it will tend to underperform the market during what the Adviser terms its “seasoning” period, usually at least 18 months. Once an undervalued company has been researched, deemed attractive, and has seasoned, the Adviser further delays the purchase until the company develops several positive momentum characteristics as described above.
The Value Fund may borrow money from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Value Fund. The Value Fund does not intend to borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets at the time of borrowing. The Value Fund may borrow to purchase securities, and it may borrow to prevent the Value Fund from selling a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time in order to meet shareholder redemptions.
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Although the Value Fund intends to be invested primarily in mid-cap and large-cap stocks as described above, the Fund may also invest in common stock of any capitalization. The Value Fund may pursue its investment objective directly or indirectly through investments in other investment companies (including ETFs and open-end and closed-end mutual funds) that invest in the securities described above. The Value Fund typically will sell a security if both of the following occur: (1) the company’s stock price exceeds the Adviser’s target sell price and (2) the company demonstrates that it may be losing positive momentum. A variety of conditions could result in the sale of a company before it has reached the Adviser’s target sell price. Some examples include a major industry-wide change, a significant change in the company’s management or direction, the emergence of a better opportunity within the same industry, or if the company becomes involved in a merger or acquisition.
As a result of the Adviser’s overall strategy, the Value Fund engages in active trading of portfolio securities which causes the Value Fund to experience a high portfolio turnover rate.
IMS Strategic Income Fund. The investment objective of the Income Fund is current income and a secondary objective is capital appreciation. The Adviser has the flexibility to invest in a broad range of fixed income and equity securities that produce current income. The Adviser allocates the Income Fund’s assets among different types of securities based on its assessment of potential risks and returns, and the Adviser may change the weighting among securities as market conditions change, in an effort to obtain the most attractive combination of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
In pursuing its investment objectives, the Income Fund generally invests in corporate bonds, government bonds, dividend-paying common stocks, preferred and convertible preferred stocks, income trusts (including business trusts, oil royalty trusts and real estate investment trusts), money market instruments and cash equivalents. The Income Fund may invest up to 100% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in domestic investment grade fixed income securities of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund may also invest in structured products, such as reverse convertible notes. Reverse convertible notes are short-term notes that are linked to individual equity securities or indexes, and typically make a single coupon payment at maturity. The holder of the reverse convertible notes generally has the right to receive at maturity either a fixed cash payment or a fixed number of shares of common stock, depending on the price history of the underlying common stock. The Income Fund may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements, and are thus subject to restrictions on resale (either as a matter of contract or under federal securities laws). Under normal circumstances, the Income Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying or other income producing securities.
In order to maximize the level of dividend income that the Income Fund receives from common stocks, the Adviser may buy stocks based on their scheduled dividend payment date, often purchasing a common stock close to the expected dividend announcement. Following payment of a dividend, the period of time after which the stock is sold will vary depending upon the Adviser’s perception of the stock’s capital appreciation potential. The Adviser believes that receiving dividends from several issuers during a short time period could augment the Income Fund’s total dividend income.
The Income Fund can invest in debt securities of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund considers investment-grade securities to be those rated BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. (“Fitch”), or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality, each at the time of purchase. The Income Fund may also invest up to 45% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in domestic high yield fixed income securities (“junk bonds”) of any duration and maturity. The Income Fund may invest in distressed securities, including securities that are in default or the issuers of which are in bankruptcy, so long as the Adviser has determined that the securities are liquid. At times, the Income Fund’s position in illiquid securities may comprise a significant portion of the portfolio. Illiquid securities are subject to a number of risks which are discussed below. If market quotations for illiquid securities are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable by the Adviser, the security will be valued at a fair value determined in good faith by the Adviser. The Income Fund may invest up to 35% (measured at the time of purchase) of its assets in foreign fixed income and equity securities, including foreign debt securities and foreign sovereign debt of any duration, quality and maturity, as well as securities of issuers located in emerging markets.
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The Adviser seeks to invest in debt securities it expects will have a high yield to maturity or dividend yield relative to potential price volatility, such as securities of an issuer which the Adviser believes have a stable or improving financial condition with a higher than average yield for its asset class, or securities that the Adviser expects will continue to pay dividends and increase in price.
The Income Fund typically will sell a portfolio security if any of the following occur: (1) the security price exceeds the Adviser’s target sell price; (2) market conditions or the issuer’s financial condition threaten the security’s price or coupon/dividend payment; or (3) the Adviser identifies a security it deems more attractive or better suited to achieving the Fund’s investment objective.
The Income Fund may borrow money from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Income Fund. The Income Fund does not intend to borrow in excess of 5% of its total assets at the time of borrowing. The Income Fund may borrow to purchase securities, and it may borrow to prevent the Income Fund from selling a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time in order to meet shareholder redemptions.
Due to the nature of some of its investments, the Income Fund may be more volatile than other income funds, the effects of which are described below under “Market Risk” and “Liquidity Risk”. Subject to the limitations described above, the Income Fund may pursue its investment objective directly or indirectly through investments in other investment companies (including ETFs, and open-end and closed-end mutual funds) that invest in the securities described above. The Income Fund may also use exchange-traded put and call options on individual securities or market indices to hedge interest rate risk. For example, if the Adviser expects interest rates to rise, the Income Fund may seek to hedge interest rate risk by purchasing an exchange-traded put option on a 10-year U.S. Treasury futures contract. Income Fund assets invested in options (including premiums paid and any assets that are required to be segregated to cover the Income Fund’s potential obligations under the options contracts) are not expected to exceed 5% of the Income Fund’s net assets (measured at the time of entering into the option contract).
As a result of the Adviser’s overall strategy, the Income Fund engages in active trading of portfolio securities which causes the Income Fund to experience a high portfolio turnover rate.
Temporary Defensive Positions. The Funds may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with such Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such an unusual set of circumstances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When a Fund takes a temporary defensive position, such Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Portfolio Turnover. Although each Fund’s strategy emphasizes longer-term investments that typically result in portfolio turnover less than 100%, the Funds may, from time to time, have a higher portfolio turnover when the Adviser’s implementation of a Fund’s investment strategy or a temporary defensive position results in frequent trading. Since each Fund’s trades cost such Fund a brokerage commission, high portfolio turnover may have a significant adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. In addition, because sales of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may result in taxable gain or loss, high portfolio turnover may result in significant tax consequences for shareholders.
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“Portfolio Turnover” is a ratio that indicates how often the securities in a mutual fund’s portfolio change during a year’s time. In general, higher numbers indicate a greater number of changes, and lower numbers indicate a smaller number of changes. |
General Information Regarding Investing in a Fund. An investment in a Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Your investment needs will depend largely on your financial resources and individual investment goals and objectives, and you should consult with your financial professional before making an investment in a Fund.
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Additional Information. To the extent a Fund makes investments regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, it intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Adviser, on behalf of the Funds, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Funds are not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
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PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN A FUND
All investments carry risks, and investment in a Fund is no exception. No investment strategy works all the time, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. You may lose money on your investment in a Fund. To help you understand the risks of investing in a Fund, the principal risks of an investment in a Fund are generally set forth below:
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Market risk – Stock prices are volatile. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Funds’ portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets generally. The Funds’ performance per share will change daily based on many factors that may generally affect the stock market, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Funds’ portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects. |
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Management style risk – Different styles of management tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. The strategies used by the Adviser may fail to produce the intended results and you could lose money. |
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Turnover risk – Through active trading, the Funds may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which can mean greater distributions taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes and lower performance due to increased brokerage costs. |
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Investment company securities risk – If the Funds invest in an underlying mutual fund or ETF, the Funds indirectly will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the underlying fund. Therefore, the Funds will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Funds may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of leverage by the underlying funds). The Funds have no control over the investments and related risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. ETFs are subject to additional risks such as the fact that the ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its net asset value, an active market may not develop, it may employ a strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios, and trading of its shares may be halted under certain circumstances. To the extent that a Fund invests in inverse or leveraged ETFs, the value of the Fund’s investment will decrease when the index underlying the ETF’s benchmark rises, a result that is the opposite from traditional equity or bond funds. The net asset value and market price of leveraged or inverse ETFs are usually more volatile than the value of the tracked index or of other ETFs that do not use leverage. Inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. To the extent that a Fund invests in ETFs that invest in commodities, which are real assets such as oil, agriculture, livestock, industrial metals, and precious metals such as gold or silver, the Fund will be subject to additional risks. The values of commodity-based ETFs are highly dependent on the prices of the related commodity and the demand and supply of these commodities may fluctuate widely. Commodity ETFs may use derivatives, which exposes them to further risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the risk that the institution on the other side of their trade will default). |
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Borrowing and leverage risk – Borrowing magnifies the potential for gain or loss by the Funds and, therefore, increases the possibility of fluctuation in the Funds’ net asset values. This is the speculative factor known as leverage. Because the Funds’ investments will fluctuate in value, while the interest on borrowed amounts may be fixed, the Funds’ net asset values may tend to increase more as the value of its investments increases, or to decrease more as the value of its investments decreases, during times of borrowing. Unless profits on investments acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of borrowing will cause a Fund’s investment performance to decrease. |
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Large shareholder risk – Certain shareholders, including other funds advised by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, may from time to time own a substantial amount of shares of the Fund. In addition, a third party investor, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, or another entity may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Fund or to facilitate the Fund’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment of that the size of the Fund would be maintained at such levels. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Fund. Similarly, large purchases of shares of the Fund may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. The Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions, diluting its investment returns. |
In addition to the risks set forth under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” and the Principal Risks of Investing in a Fund, the IMS Capital Value Fund is subject to the following risks:
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Mid-cap risk – Stocks of mid-cap companies are generally considered more risky than stocks of larger capitalization companies. Mid-cap companies typically have greater earnings fluctuations and greater reliance on a few key customers than larger companies. Many of these companies may be young with a limited track record. Their securities may trade less frequently and in more limited volume than those of larger companies. This may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make them fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies. Mid-cap companies may also have limited markets, product lines or financial resources and may lack management experience. The prospects for a company or its industry may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing operating results or changes in the competitive environment. |
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Large-cap risk – Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion. |
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Value securities risk – Value stocks are those that appear to be underpriced based upon valuation measures, such as lower price-to-earnings ratios and price-to-book ratios. Investments in value-oriented securities may expose these Funds to the risk of underperformance during periods when value stocks do not perform as well as other kinds of investments or market averages. |
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Industry risk – the value of securities in a particular industry (such as financial services, technology or healthcare) may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of a particular industry. The Fund intends to hold a number of different individual securities, seeking to manage risks in a particular industry. However, the Fund does concentrate on the healthcare, technology, financial services, communications/entertainment, consumer, consolidating and defensive industries. As a consequence, the share price of the Fund may fluctuate in response to factors affecting a particular industry, and may fluctuate more widely than a fund that invests in a broader range of industries. The Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political, or regulatory occurrence affecting the aforementioned industries. |
In addition to the risks set forth under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” and the Principal Risks of Investing in a Fund, the IMS Strategic Income Fund is subject to the following risks:
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Foreign securities risk – When the Fund invests in foreign securities (including sovereign debt), it will be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currency can change when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. These currency movements may negatively impact the value of the Funds’ portfolio even when there is no change in the value of the related security in the issuer’s home country. Sovereign debt differs from debt obligations issued by private entities in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Legal recourse is therefore limited. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations are of considerable significance. When the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in foreign emerging markets, it will be subject to additional risks that may be different from, or greater than, risks of investing in securities of issuers based in foreign, developed countries. These risks include illiquidity, significant price volatility, restrictions on foreign investment or repatriation, possible nationalization of investment income and capital, currency declines, and inflation (including rapid fluctuations in inflation rates). |
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REIT risk – To the extent that the Fund invests in companies that invest in real estate, such as REITs, the Fund may be subject to risk associated with the real estate market as a whole, such as taxation, regulations, and economic and political factors that negatively impact the real estate market, and with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decrease in real estate values, overbuilding, environmental liabilities and increases in operating costs, interest rates and/or property taxes. |
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High yield securities risk – The Fund may be subject to greater levels of price volatility as a result of investing in high yield fixed income securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as junk bonds) than funds that do not invest in such securities. Such bonds are rated below BBB-/Baa3 because of the greater possibility that the issuer will fail to make principal and interest payments, and thus default. If this occurs, or is perceived as likely to occur, the values of these securities will generally be more volatile and are likely to fall. A default or expected default could also make it difficult for the Fund to sell the securities at the value the Fund previously placed on them. As a result, high yield securities are considered predominately speculative. An economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or increased price volatility could adversely affect the market for these securities, and reduce the number of buyers should the Fund need to sell these securities (liquidity risk). Should an issuer declare bankruptcy, there may be potential for partial recovery of the value of the bonds, but the Fund could also lose its entire investment. When the Fund invests in foreign high yield bonds (including sovereign debt), it will be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks are described below under “Foreign securities risk.” |
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Distressed securities risk – Investments in distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in high yield securities. Issuers of distressed securities may be engaged in restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings, or may be in default on the payment of principal or interest. The Fund may incur costs participating in legal proceedings involving the issuer or otherwise protecting its investment. The Fund generally will not receive interest payments on distressed securities, and there is a substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. If the issuer of a distressed security is engaged in restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings, the Fund may lose the entire value of its investment in the distressed security or be required to accept payment of cash or securities with a value far less than the Fund’s original investment. Distressed securities also may have restrictions on resale. |
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Dividend tax risk – There can be no assurances that the dividends received by the Fund from its investments will consist of tax-advantaged qualifying dividends eligible either for the dividends-received deduction for corporate Fund shareholders that are otherwise eligible for such deduction or for treatment as qualified dividends eligible for long-term capital gain rates in respect of non-corporate Fund shareholders. To receive dividends-received or qualifying dividend income tax treatment, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the security, and Fund shareholders must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to their Fund’s shares. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that dividends received by the Fund will continue to receive favorable tax treatment in future years. |
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Income trust risk – Investments in income trusts are subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies controlled by such trusts, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the risk that such management may lack or have limited operating histories. To the extent the Fund invests in income trusts that invest in real estate, it may be subject to risk associated with the real estate market as a whole, such as taxation, regulations and economic and political factors that negatively impact the real estate market and with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decrease in real estate values, overbuilding, environmental liabilities and increases in operating costs, interest rates and or property taxes. When the Fund invests in oil royalty trusts, its return on the investment will be highly dependent on oil and gas prices, which can be highly volatile. Moreover, oil royalty trusts are subject to the risk that the underlying oil and gas reserves attributable to the royalty trust may be depleted. As a group, business trusts typically invest in a broad range of industries and therefore the related risks will vary depending on the underlying industry represented in the business trust’s portfolio. |
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Dividend strategy risk – The Fund’s dividend capture strategy enables the Adviser to identify and exploit opportunities that the Adviser believes may lead to high current dividend income for the Fund. There can be no assurances that the Adviser will be able to correctly anticipate the level of dividends that companies will pay in any given timeframe. If the Adviser’s expectations as to potential dividends are wrong, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected. In addition, the dividend policies of the Fund’s target companies are heavily influenced by the current economic climate and the favorable federal tax treatment afforded to dividends. Any change in the favorable provisions of the federal tax laws may limit the ability of the Fund to take advantage of further income enhancing strategies utilizing dividend paying securities. The use of dividend capture strategies also will expose the Fund to increased trading costs and potential for short-term capital losses or gains, particularly in the event of significant short-term price movements of stocks subject to dividend capture trading. |
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Structured notes risk – Structured notes, such as reverse convertible notes, are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, as well as the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, as a result of imbedded derivative features in these securities, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer. It is impossible to predict whether the referenced factor (such as an index or interest rate) or prices of the underlying securities will rise or fall. The actual trading prices of structured notes may be significantly different from the principal amount of the notes. If the Fund sells the structured notes prior to maturity, it may lose some of its principal. At final maturity, structured notes may be redeemed in cash or in kind, which is at the discretion of the issuer. If the notes are redeemed in kind, the Fund would receive shares of stock at a depressed price. In the case of a decrease in the value of the underlying asset, the Fund would receive shares at a value less than the original amount invested; while an increase in the value of an underlying asset will not increase the return on the note. |
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Preferred stock risks – Preferred stocks rated in the lowest categories of investment grade have speculative characteristics. Preferred stock generally is subject to risks associated with fixed income securities, including credit risk and sensitivity to interest rates. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances that have a negative impact on the issuer may lead to a weakened capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. Preferred stock may be subject to a number of other risks, including that the issuer, under certain conditions, may skip or defer dividend payments for long periods of time. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes while it is not receiving any income. In addition, holders of preferred stock typically do not have any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond stated time periods. As with common stock, preferred stock is subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in any issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore is subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. |
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Fixed income risk – The value of these Funds may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates rise, the value of most income producing instruments decreases to adjust to price the market yields. Interest rate risk is greater for long-term debt securities than for short-term and floating rate securities. These Funds are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer of a security will become unable to meet its obligations. This risk is greater for securities that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated. |
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Liquidity risk – Illiquid and/or restricted securities in these Funds’ portfolio may reduce the Funds’ returns because the Funds may be unable to sell such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. If the Funds are unable to sell their illiquid securities when deemed desirable, it may incur losses and may be restricted in their ability to take advantage of other market opportunities. In addition, illiquid securities may be more difficult to value, and usually require the Adviser’s judgment in the valuation process. The Adviser’s judgment as to the fair value of a security may be wrong, and there is no guarantee that the Funds will realize the entire fair value assigned to the security upon a sale. Securities particularly sensitive to illiquidity include U.S. and foreign high yield debt obligations and private placement securities. |
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Credit risk – An issuer of debt securities may not make timely payments of principal and interest. |
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser. IMS Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”), 8995 S.E. Otty Road, Portland, Oregon 97086, serves as investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is an independent investment advisory firm that has been managing equity and fixed income portfolios for a select group of clients since 1988. The Adviser currently manages accounts for institutions, retirement plans, individuals, trusts and small businesses, both taxable and non-taxable. As of June 30, 2021, the Adviser managed over $280 million on a discretionary basis.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Adviser received compensation of 1.21% of the Value Fund’s average daily net assets, after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Adviser received compensation of 0.58% of the Income Fund’s average daily net assets, after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement.
With respect to each of the Funds, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, acquired fund fees and expenses, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, interest and dividend expense on securities sold short, and amounts, if any payable pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act) do not exceed 1.95% of a Fund’s average daily net assets through October 31, 2022, subject to the Adviser’s right to recoup payments on a rolling three-year basis so long as the payment would not exceed the 1.95% expense cap. This expense cap agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days’ written notice prior to the end of the then-current term of the agreement.
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If you invest in a Fund through an investment adviser, bank, broker-dealer, 401(k) plan trust company or other financial intermediary, the policies and fees for transacting business may be different than those described in this Prospectus. Some financial intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Some financial intermediaries do not charge a direct transaction fee, but instead charge a fee for services such as sub-transfer agency, accounting and/or shareholder services that the financial intermediary provides on the Funds’ behalf. This fee may be based on the number of accounts or may be a percentage, currently up to 0.50% annually, of the average value of the Funds’ shareholder accounts for which the financial intermediary provides services. The Funds may pay a portion of this fee, which is intended to compensate the financial intermediary for providing the same services that would otherwise be provided by the Funds’ transfer agent or other service providers if the shares were purchased directly from the IMS Funds. To the extent that these fees are not paid entirely by the Funds, the Adviser may pay a fee to financial intermediaries for such services.
To the extent that the Adviser, not the Funds, pays a fee to a financial intermediary for distribution or shareholder services, the Adviser may consider a number of factors in determining the amount of payment associated with such services, including the amount of sales, assets invested in the Funds and the nature of the services provided by the financial intermediary. Although neither the Funds nor the Adviser pays for the Funds to be included in a financial intermediary’s “preferred list” or other promotional program, some financial intermediaries that receive compensation as described above may have such programs in which the Funds may be included. Financial intermediaries that receive these types of payments may have a conflict of interest in recommending or selling Funds’ shares rather than other mutual funds, particularly where such payments exceed those associated with other funds.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement of the Funds is available in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders for each twelve-month period ended June 30.
In addition to the advisory fees described above, the Adviser may also receive certain benefits from its management of the Fund in the form of brokerage or research services received from brokers under arrangements under Section 28(e) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and the terms of the Advisory Agreement. For a description of these potential benefits, see the description under “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation -- Brokerage Selection” in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Portfolio Manager of the Funds. Carl W. Marker has been primarily responsible for management of each of the Value Fund and the Income Fund (including each of their predecessors) since inception.
Mr. Marker currently serves as Chairman and Chief Investment Officer and has served as primary portfolio manager of the Adviser since 1988.
The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Funds’ portfolio managers, including their compensation, other accounts that they manage and their ownership of shares of the Funds.
Board of Trustees. The Funds are a series of the 360 Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 24, 2005. The Board supervises the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and is responsible for the overall management of the Funds’ business affairs.
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ADMINISTRATION
Custodian. Huntington Bank (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Funds’ securities.
Fund Administration and Distribution. M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”) serves as the Funds’ administrator providing the Funds with administrative, accounting and compliance services. In addition, M3Sixty serves as the transfer agent and dividend-disbursing agent of the Funds. As indicated below under the caption “Investing in a Fund,” M3Sixty will handle your orders to purchase and redeem shares of a Fund, and will disburse dividends paid by a Fund.
Distribution of Shares. Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Funds’ principal underwriter. The Distributor may sell the Funds’ shares to or through qualified securities dealers or other approved entities. The Funds offer one class of shares, Institutional Class shares. Institutional Class shares are available for investment only to institutional investors and certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with a Fund.
Certain Expenses. In addition to the investment advisory fees, the Funds pay all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, which may include, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its independent accountants and of its legal counsel; the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto; the costs of printing registration statements; bank transaction charges and custodian’s fees; any proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; filing fees; any federal, state or local income or other taxes; any interest; any membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and Trustees’ liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.
INVESTING IN A FUND
Minimum Initial Investment. A Fund’s shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value. Shares may be purchased by any account managed by the Adviser and any other institutional investor or any broker-dealer authorized to sell Shares in a Fund. The minimum initial investment for Institutional Class shares of a Fund is $5,000 ($2,000 for Coverdell Savings Accounts and UGMAs). A Fund may, in the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept accounts with less than the minimum investment.
Additionally, the minimum initial investment requirement may be waived or reduced for wrap programs and certain qualified retirement plans (excluding IRAs) sponsored by financial service firms that have entered into appropriate arrangements with a Fund or otherwise by the Adviser in its sole discretion.
Determining a Fund’s Net Asset Value. The price at which you purchase or redeem Shares is based on the next calculation of net asset value after an order is accepted in good form. An order is considered to be in good form if it includes a complete application and payment in full of the purchase amount. A Fund’s net asset value per share is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s total assets, less liabilities (including Fund expenses, which are accrued daily), by the total number of outstanding Shares of the Fund. The net asset value per Share of a Fund is normally determined at the time regular trading closes on the NYSE, currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except when the NYSE closes earlier. A Fund does not calculate net asset value on business holidays when the NYSE is closed.
The valuation of portfolio securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by, and under the direction of, the Trustees. In determining the value of a Fund’s total assets, portfolio securities are generally calculated at market value by quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Instruments with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. The Funds normally use pricing services to obtain market quotations. Securities and assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or that cannot be accurately valued using a Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used, for example, in situations where (i) a portfolio security, such as a small-cap stock, is so thinly traded that there have been no transactions for that stock over an extended period of time or the validity of a market quotation received is questionable; (ii) the exchange on which the portfolio security is principally traded closes early; (iii) trading of the particular portfolio security is halted; (iv) the security is a restricted security not registered under federal securities laws purchased through a private placement not eligible for resale; or (v) the security is purchased on a foreign exchange.
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Pursuant to policies adopted by the Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for notifying the Board of Trustees (or the Trust’s Fair Value Committee (“Fair Value Committee”)) when it believes that fair value pricing is required for a particular security. The Funds’ policies regarding fair value pricing are intended to result in a calculation of a Fund’s net asset value that fairly reflects portfolio security values as of the time of pricing. A portfolio security’s fair value price may differ from the price next available for that portfolio security using a Fund’s normal pricing procedure, and may differ substantially from the price at which the portfolio security may ultimately be traded or sold. If such fair value price differs from the price that would have been determined using a Fund’s normal pricing procedures, a shareholder may receive more or less proceeds or shares from redemptions or purchases of Fund shares, respectively, than a shareholder would have otherwise received if the portfolio security was priced using a Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The performance of a Fund may also be affected if a portfolio security’s fair value price were to differ from the security’s price using a Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The Trustees monitor and evaluate the Funds’ use of fair value pricing.
Other Matters. Purchases and redemptions of Shares by the same shareholder on the same day will be netted for a Fund. All redemption requests will be processed and payment with respect thereto will normally be made within seven days after tender. A Fund may suspend redemption, if permitted by the 1940 Act, for any period during which the NYSE is closed or during which trading is restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or if the SEC declares that an emergency exists. Redemptions may also be suspended during other periods permitted by the SEC for the protection of a Fund’s shareholders. Additionally, during drastic economic and market changes, telephone redemption privileges may be difficult to implement. Also, if the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to the best interest of a Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, a Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.
PURCHASING SHARES
Opening a New Account. To open an account with a Fund, take the following steps:
1. Complete an Account Application. Be sure to indicate the type of account you wish to open, the amount of money you wish to invest, and which class of shares you wish to purchase. If you do not indicate which class you wish to purchase, your purchase will be invested in Institutional Class shares. The application must contain your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number (“SSN”) or Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”). If you have applied for a SSN or TIN prior to completing your account application but you have not received your number, please indicate this on the application and include a copy of the form applying for the SSN or TIN. Taxes are not withheld from distributions to U.S. investors if certain IRS requirements regarding the SSN or TIN are met.
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2. Write a check or prepare a money order from a U.S. financial institution and payable in U.S. dollars. For regular mail orders, mail your completed application along with your check or money order made payable to the name of the Fund in which you are investing to:
[Name of Fund]
c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Suite 100
Fairway, KS 66205
If checks are returned due to insufficient funds or other reasons, the purchase order will not be accepted. The Funds will charge the prospective investor a $20 fee for cancelled checks and may redeem Shares of a Fund already owned by the prospective investor or another identically registered account for such fee. The prospective investor will also be responsible for any losses or expenses incurred by a Fund or the Administrator in connection with any cancelled check.
Bank Wire Purchases. Purchases may also be made through bank wire orders. To establish a new account or add to an existing account by wire, please call (877) 244-6235 for instructions.
Additional Investments. You may add to your account by mail or wire at any time by purchasing Shares at the then current public offering price. Before adding funds by bank wire, please call the Funds at (877) 244-6235 and follow the above directions for bank wire purchases. Please note that in most circumstances, there will be a bank charge for wire purchases. Mail orders should include, if possible, the “Invest by Mail” stub that is attached to your confirmation statement. Otherwise, please identify your account in a letter accompanying your purchase payment.
Automatic Investment Plan. Shareholders of Institutional Class shares who have met a Fund’s minimum investment criteria may participate in a Fund’s automatic investment plan. The automatic investment plan enables shareholders to make regular monthly or quarterly investments in Institutional Class shares through automatic charges to shareholders’ checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, a Fund will automatically charge the shareholder’s checking account for the amount specified ($50 minimum for Institutional Class shares of a Fund), which will automatically be invested in Institutional Class shares at the public offering price on or about the 21st day of the month. The shareholder may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by notifying a Fund in writing.
Important Information about Procedures for Opening a New Account. Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act of 2001), a Fund is required to obtain, verify, and record information to enable a Fund to form a reasonable belief as to the identity of each customer who opens an account. Consequently, when an investor opens an account, a Fund will ask for, among other things, the investor’s name, street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or other tax identification number (or proof that the investor has filed for such a number), and other information that will allow the Fund to identify the investor. A Fund may also ask to see the investor’s driver’s license or other identifying documents. An investor’s account application will not be considered “complete” and, therefore, an account will not be opened and the investor’s money will not be invested until the Fund receives this required information. In addition, if after opening the investor’s account, the Fund is unable to verify the investor’s identity after reasonable efforts, as determined by the Fund in its sole discretion, the Fund may (i) restrict redemptions and further investments until the investor’s identity is verified; and (ii) close the investor’s account without notice and return the investor’s redemption proceeds to the investor. If a Fund closes an investor’s account because the Fund was unable to verify the investor’s identity, the Fund will value the account in accordance with the Fund’s next net asset value calculated after the investor’s account is closed. In that case, the investor’s redemption proceeds may be worth more or less than the investor’s original investment. A Fund will not be responsible for any losses incurred due to a Fund’s inability to verify the identity of any investor opening an account.
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Other Information. In connection with all purchases of Fund Shares, we observe the following policies and procedures:
We price direct purchases based on the next public offering price (net asset value) computed after your order is received. Direct purchase orders received by M3Sixty as the Funds’ transfer agent by the close of the regular session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) are confirmed at that day’s public offering price. Purchase orders received by dealers prior to the close of the regular session of the NYSE on any business day and transmitted to M3Sixty on that day are confirmed at the public offering price determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE on that day.
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We do not accept third party checks for any investments. |
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We may open accounts for less than the minimum investment or change minimum investment requirements at any time. |
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We may refuse to accept any purchase request for any reason or no reason. |
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We mail you confirmations of all your purchases or redemptions of Fund Shares. |
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Certificates representing Shares are not issued. |
Choosing a Share Class. The Funds offer one class of shares, Institutional Class shares.
Institutional Class Shares. Institutional Class shares of a Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in a Fund. Institutional Class shares are available for investment only to institutional investors and certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with a Fund. These arrangements are generally limited to discretionary managed, asset allocation, eligible retirement plan or wrap products offered by broker-dealers and financial institutions. Shareholders participating in these programs may be charged fees by their broker-dealer or financial institution.
Additional Information about Sales Charges. Information regarding a Fund’s sales charges, as well as information regarding reduced sales charges and waived sales charges, and the terms and conditions for the purchase, pricing, and redemption of Fund shares is not available on a Fund’s website since each Fund’s website contains limited information. Further information is available by calling the Funds at (877) 244-6235.
REDEEMING SHARES
Regular Mail Redemptions. Regular mail redemption requests should identify the name of the applicable Fund(s) and be addressed to:
[Name of Fund]
c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway,
Suite 100
Fairway, KS 66205
Regular mail redemption requests should include the following:
1. Your letter of instruction specifying the Fund, account number and number of Shares (or the dollar amount) to be redeemed. This request must be signed by all registered shareholders in the exact names in which they are registered;
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Any required signature guarantees (see “Signature Guarantees” below); and |
3. Other supporting legal documents, if required in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension or profit sharing plans, and other entities.
Except as provided below, your redemption proceeds normally will be sent to you within seven days after receipt of your redemption request. However, a Fund may delay forwarding a redemption check for recently purchased Shares while it determines whether the purchase payment will be honored. Such delay (which may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase) may be reduced or avoided if the purchase is made by certified check or wire transfer. In all cases, the net asset value next determined after receipt of the request for redemption will be used in processing the redemption request. Each Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. A Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form: (i) for payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within two business days; and (ii) for payment by wire or automated clearing house (“ACH”), the Fund typically expects to process the payment within two business days. Payment of redemption proceeds may take up to seven days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the SEC, a Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than seven days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.
To the extent cash holdings or cash equivalents are not available to meet redemption requests, a Fund will meet redemption requests by either (i) rebalancing its overweight securities or (ii) selling portfolio assets. In addition, if a Fund determines that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.
Telephone and Bank Wire Redemptions. Unless you specifically decline the telephone transaction privileges on your account application, you may redeem Shares of a Fund by calling (877) 244-6235. A Fund may rely upon confirmation of redemption requests transmitted via facsimile (Fax# (816) 743-4477). The confirmation instructions must include the following:
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Name of Fund; |
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Shareholder name(s) and account number; |
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Number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed; |
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Instructions for transmittal of redemption funds to the shareholder; and |
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Shareholder(s) signature(s) as it/they appear(s) on the application then on file with the Fund. |
You can choose to have redemption proceeds mailed to you at your address of record, your financial institution, or to any other authorized person, or you can have the proceeds sent by wire transfer to your financial institution ($5,000 minimum). A Fund in its discretion may choose to pass through to redeeming shareholders any charges imposed by the Fund’s custodian for wire redemptions. If this cost is passed through to redeeming shareholders by a Fund, the charge will be deducted automatically from your account by redemption of Shares in your account. Your bank or brokerage firm may also impose a charge for processing the wire. If wire transfer of funds is impossible or impractical, the redemption proceeds will be sent by mail to the designated account.
Redemption proceeds will only be sent to the financial institution account or person named in your Fund Shares Application currently on file with a Fund. Telephone redemption privileges authorize the Fund to act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the investor and reasonably believed by the Fund to be genuine. A Fund will not be liable for any losses due to fraudulent or unauthorized instructions nor for following telephone instructions provided that the Fund follows reasonable procedures to ensure instructions are genuine.
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Minimum Account Size. Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining small accounts, a Fund reserves the right to liquidate a shareholder’s account if, as a result of redemptions or transfers (but not required IRA distributions), the account’s balance falls below the minimum initial investment required for your type of account (see “Minimum Initial Investment” above). A Fund will notify you if your account falls below the required minimum. If your account is not increased to the required level after a thirty (30) day cure period then a Fund may, at its discretion, liquidate the account.
Redemptions In Kind. A Fund typically expects to satisfy requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents or selling portfolio assets. On a less regular basis, and if the Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders not to sell portfolio assets, the Fund may satisfy redemption requests by using short-term borrowing from the Fund’s custodian to the extent such arrangements are in place with the custodian. These methods normally will be used during both regular and stressed market conditions. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, each Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a “redemption in kind.” While the Funds do not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem their shares by payment in kind, it is possible that conditions may arise in the future which would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for a Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such a case, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of the Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the Fund’s net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein a Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Fund’s net asset value at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Fund’s election.
Signature Guarantees. To protect your account and a Fund from fraud, signature guarantees may be required to be sure that you are the person who has authorized a change in registration or standing instructions for your account. Signature guarantees are generally required for (i) change of registration requests; (ii) requests to establish or to change exchange privileges or telephone and bank wire redemption service other than through your initial account application; (iii) transactions where proceeds from redemptions, dividends, or distributions are sent to an address or financial institution differing from the address or financial institution of record; and (iv) redemption requests in excess of $50,000. Signature guarantees are acceptable from a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a savings and loan institution, credit union (if authorized under state law), registered broker-dealer, securities exchange, or association clearing agency and must appear on the written request for change of registration, establishment or change in exchange privileges, or redemption request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Purchases and Redemptions through Securities Firms. A Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and such brokers are authorized to designate intermediaries to accept orders on behalf of a Fund. In addition, orders will be deemed to have been received by a Fund when an authorized broker, or broker-authorized designee, accepts the purchase order or receives the redemption order. Orders will be priced at the next calculation of a Fund’s net asset value after the authorized broker or broker-authorized designee receives the orders. Investors may also be charged a fee by a broker or agent if Shares are purchased through a broker or agent. A Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a broker carries out its obligations. You should look to the broker through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of a Fund.
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Telephone Purchases by Securities Firms. Brokerage firms that are Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) members may telephone M3Sixty at (877) 244-6235 and buy Shares for investors who have investments in the Fund through the brokerage firm’s account with a Fund. By electing telephone purchase privileges, FINRA member firms, on behalf of themselves and their clients, agree that neither the Fund nor M3Sixty shall be liable for following telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. To be sure telephone instructions are genuine, a Fund and its agents send written confirmations of transactions to the broker that initiated the telephone purchase. As a result of these and other policies, the FINRA member firms may bear the risk of any loss in the event of such a transaction. However, if M3Sixty fails to follow these established procedures, it may be liable. A Fund may modify or terminate these telephone privileges at any time.
Disruptive Trading and Market Timing. A Fund is not intended for or suitable for market timers, and market timers are discouraged from becoming investors. The ability of new shareholders to establish an account, or for existing shareholders to add to their accounts is subject to modification or limitation if a Fund determines, in its sole opinion, that the shareholder or potential shareholder has engaged in frequent purchases or redemptions that may be indicative of market timing or otherwise disruptive trading (“Disruptive Trading”) which can have harmful effects for other shareholders. These risks and harmful effects include:
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an adverse effect on portfolio management, as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion, such as causing the Fund to maintain a higher level of cash than would otherwise be the case, or causing the Fund to liquidate investments prematurely; and |
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reducing returns to long-term shareholders through increased brokerage and administrative expenses. |
You should note that, if a Fund invests primarily in securities of foreign companies that are traded on U.S. exchanges, the Fund may be more susceptible to market timing than mutual funds investing primarily in U.S. companies.
In an effort to protect shareholders from Disruptive Trading, the Board of Trustees has approved certain market timing policies and procedures. Under these market timing policies and procedures, a Fund may monitor trading activity by shareholders and take specific steps to prevent Disruptive Trading. In general, each Fund considers frequent roundtrip transactions in a shareholder account to constitute Disruptive Trading. A “roundtrip transaction” is one where a shareholder buys and then sells, or sells and then buys, Shares within 30 days. While there is no specific limit on roundtrip transactions, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse any purchase order; and/or (ii) restrict or terminate purchase privileges for shareholders or former shareholders, particularly in cases where a Fund determines that the shareholder or potential shareholder has engaged in more than one roundtrip transaction in a Fund within any rolling 30-day period.
In determining the frequency of roundtrip transactions, a Fund does not include purchases pursuant to dollar cost averaging or other similar programs, and a Fund will not count systematic withdrawals and/or automatic purchases, mandatory retirement distributions, and transactions initiated by a plan sponsor. A Fund will calculate roundtrip transactions at the shareholder level, and may contact a shareholder to request an explanation of any activity that the Fund suspects as Disruptive Trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Fund may also take action if a shareholder’s trading activity (evaluated based on roundtrip trading or otherwise) is deemed Disruptive Trading by a Fund, even if applicable Shares are held longer than 30 days. In addition, a Fund may, without prior notice, take whatever action it deems appropriate to comply with or take advantage of any state or federal regulatory requirement. A Fund also imposes an initial sales load and a CDSC on certain Shares, each of which has the effect of discouraging Disruptive Trading in Fund Shares.
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A Fund cannot guarantee that its policies and procedures regarding market timing will be effective in detecting and deterring all Disruptive Trading.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. A description of a Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of such Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Distributions, Dividends and Taxes
The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. taxpayers. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisors for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences to them of investing in a Fund.
Each Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its income and gains to its shareholders every year. Dividends paid by a Fund derived from net investment income, if any, will generally be paid annually and capital gain distributions, if any, will be made at least annually. Absent instructions to pay distributions in cash, distributions will be reinvested automatically in additional Shares (or fractions thereof) of the applicable Fund. Although a Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares.
A particular dividend distribution generally will be taxable as qualified dividend income, long-term capital gain, or ordinary income. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain qualifying foreign corporations, provided the foreign corporation is not a passive foreign investment company. Any distribution resulting from such qualified dividend income received by a Fund will be designated as qualified dividend income. If a Fund designates a dividend distribution as qualified dividend income, it generally will be taxable to individual shareholders at the long-term capital gains tax rate provided certain holding period requirements are met. If a Fund designates a dividend distribution as a capital gains distribution, it generally will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund shares. Short-term capital gains may be realized and any distribution resulting from such gains will be considered ordinary income for federal tax purposes. All taxable dividends paid by a Fund other than those designated as qualified dividend income or capital gain distributions will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Taxable distributions paid by a Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by a Fund as qualifying for the DRD.
If a Fund declares a dividend in October, November or December but pays it in January, it will be taxable to shareholders as if the dividend had been received in the year it was declared. Every year, each shareholder will receive a statement detailing the tax status of any Fund distributions for that year. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.
In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the applicable Fund shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and may be subject to tax.
As with all mutual funds, each Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the fourth lowest rate for taxpayers filing as unmarried individuals (presently 24%) for all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they 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 a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
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Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to ensure that distributions and sale of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.
Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the applicable Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Each Fund has chosen Average Cost as its default tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way a Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. A Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than a Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances.
For those securities defined as “covered” under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, each Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. Each Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” Each Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this prospectus is being prepared, the coronavirus and COVID-19 are affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will be made or what the changes might entail.
Financial Highlights. The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The financial highlights for the fiscal years prior to June 30, 2019 have been audited by the Funds’ prior independent registered public accounting firm. The financial highlights for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021 have been audited by BBD, LLP, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the annual report to shareholders, which may be obtained at no charge by calling the Funds.
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IMS CAPITAL VALUE FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each year
| For the Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2018 | June 30, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ | 22.50 | $ | 23.47 | 24.75 | $ | 24.05 | $ | 21.52 | |||||||||||
| Investment Operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) | (0.18 | ) | 0.06 | (0.02 | ) | (0.00 | )(a) | 0.02 | ||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | 9.13 | 0.21 | 1.27 | 1.22 | 2.51 | |||||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | 8.95 | 0.27 | 1.25 | 1.22 | 2.53 | |||||||||||||||
| Less Distributions to Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| From net investment income | (0.04 | ) | — | — | (0.02 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| From net realized capital gains | (0.53 | ) | (1.24 | ) | (2.53 | ) | (0.50 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Total distributions | (0.57 | ) | (1.24 | ) | (2.53 | ) | (0.52 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Paid in capital from redemption fees(a) (d) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ | 30.88 | $ | 22.50 | 23.47 | $ | 24.75 | $ | 24.05 | |||||||||||
| Total Return(b) | 40.16 | % | 0.77 | % | 6.99 | % | 5.05 | % | 11.76 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of year (in 000’s) | $ | 45,354 | $ | 31,243 | 30,372 | $ | 33,682 | $ | 40,707 | |||||||||||
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | 1.85 | %(c) | 1.88 | %(c) | 1.80 | %(c) | 1.74 | %(c) | 1.69 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets: | (0.69 | )%(c) | 0.26 | %(c) | (0.10 | )%(c) | (0.01 | )%(c) | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 79.58 | % | 263.64 | % | 17.29 | % | 40.01 | % | 84.33 | % | ||||||||||
| (a) | Represents less than $0.005 per share. |
| (b) | Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
| (c) | The ratios include 0.01% of interest expense during the years ended June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. |
| (d) | The average shares method was used to calculate redemption fees. |
31
IMS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each year
| For the Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2019 | June 30, 2018 | June 30, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.61 | $ | 2.45 | $ | 2.93 | $ | 3.27 | ||||||||||
| Investment Operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.19 | 0.24 | |||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency (a) | 0.49 | (0.31 | ) | 0.16 | (0.49 | ) | (0.32 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | 0.64 | (0.16 | ) | 0.29 | (0.30 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Less Distributions to Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| From net investment income | (0.16 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.18 | ) | (0.26 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total distributions | (0.16 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.18 | ) | (0.26 | ) | ||||||||||
| Paid in capital from redemption fees(e) | — | 0.00 | (b) | 0.00 | (b) | 0.00 | (b) | 0.00 | (b) | |||||||||||
| Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ | 2.78 | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.61 | $ | 2.45 | $ | 2.93 | ||||||||||
| Total Return(c) | 28.53 | % | (6.31 | )% | 12.22 | % | (10.71 | )% | (2.69 | )% | ||||||||||
| Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of year (in 000’s) | $ | 15,188 | $ | 11,742 | $ | 5,914 | $ | 3,928 | $ | 5,580 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets:(d) | 1.95 | % | 1.96 | % | 1.98 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.98 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets before waiver & reimbursement:(d) | 2.87 | % | 3.62 | % | 4.29 | % | 3.36 | % | 2.93 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:(d) | 5.88 | % | 6.58 | % | 5.27 | % | 6.99 | % | 7.83 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of net investment income to average net assets before waiver & reimbursement:(d) | 4.96 | % | 4.92 | % | 2.95 | % | 5.64 | % | 6.87 | % | ||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 531.13 | % | 390.29 | % | 728.46 | % | 758.79 | % | 505.62 | % | ||||||||||
| (a) | Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in this caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the changes in net assets value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the statement of operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions in relation to fluctuating market values. |
| (b) | Represents less than $0.005 per share. |
| (c) | Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
| (d) | The ratios include 0.04% of interest expense during the year ended June 30, 2017, 0.07% of interest expense during the year ended June 30, 2018, 0.03% of interest expense during the year ended June 30, 2019, 0.01% of interest expense during the year ended June 30, 2020 and 0.002% for the year ended June 30, 2021. |
| (e) | The average shares method was used to calculate redemption fees. |
32
PRIVACY NOTICE
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FACTS |
WHAT DOES 360 FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
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Why? |
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
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What? |
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: ■ Social Security number ■ Assets ■ Retirement Assets ■ Transaction History ■ Checking Account Information ■ Purchase History ■ Account Balances ■ Account Transactions ■ Wire Transfer Instructions When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
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How? |
All financial companies need to share your personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons 360 Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
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Reasons we can share your personal information |
Does 360 Funds share? |
Can you limit this sharing? |
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For our everyday business purposes – Such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus |
Yes |
No |
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For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you |
No |
We don’t share |
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For joint marketing with other financial companies |
No |
We don’t share |
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For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences |
No |
We don’t share |
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For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
No |
We don’t share |
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For nonaffiliates to market to you |
No |
We don’t share |
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Questions? |
Call (877) 244-6235 |
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33
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Who we are |
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Who is providing this notice? |
360 Funds M3Sixty Administration, LLC (Administrator) Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (Distributor) |
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What we do |
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How does 360 Funds protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
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How does 360 Funds collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you ■ Open an account ■ Provide account information ■ Give us your contact information ■ Make deposits or withdrawals from your account ■ Make a wire transfer ■ Tell us where to send the money ■ Tell us who receives the money ■ Show your government-issued ID ■ Show your driver’s license We also collect your personal information from other companies. |
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Why can’t I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only ■ Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness ■ Affiliates from using your information to market to you ■ Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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Definitions |
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Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. ■ M3Sixty Administration, LLC and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC could each be deemed to be an affiliate. |
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Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies ■ 360 Funds does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
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Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. ■ 360 Funds does not jointly market. |
34
FOR MORE INFORMATION
A SAI about the Funds has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SAI (which is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this Prospectus) contains additional information about the Funds.
To request a free copy of the SAI, a Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Funds, or to make inquiries about a Fund, write the Fund c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, KS 66205 or call the Funds at (877) 244-6235.
Information about a Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
360 Funds Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21726
35
IMS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Suite 100
Fairway, KS 66205
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 28, 2021
IMS Capital Value Fund
Institutional Shares (Ticker Symbol: IMSCX)
IMS Strategic Income Fund
Institutional Shares (Ticker Symbol: IMSIX)
each a series of the
360 Funds
The following series managed by IMS Capital Management, Inc.: IMS Capital Value Fund and IMS Strategic Income Fund are each a series of 360 Funds, an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with each Fund’s prospectus dated October 28, 2021, as the same may be amended from time to time. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, by calling the Funds at (877) 244-6235 or writing to the Fund at the following address:
IMS Capital Management, Inc. c/o
M3Sixty Administration, LLC
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Suite 100
Fairway, KS 66205
IMS CAPITAL VALUE FUND
IMS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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APPENDIX B – NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER |
56 |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS
360 Funds (the “Trust”) was organized on February 24, 2005 as a Delaware statutory trust. The following series of funds advised by IMS Capital Management, Inc.: IMS Capital Value Fund (the “Value Fund”) and IMS Strategic Income Fund (the “Income Fund,” each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each diversified, open-end management investment companies and separate series of the Trust. Prior to July 11, 2011, the Trust was known as the Parr Family of Funds and prior to August 27, 2007, the Trust was known as the Pope Family of Funds. The Prospectus describes each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategy, as well as the principal investment risks of each Fund.
Effective as of the close of business on June 20, 2014, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization”), the Funds received all of the assets and liabilities of the Unified Series Trust’s (the “Former Trust”) IMS Capital Value Fund (the “Predecessor Value Fund”) and IMS Strategic Income Fund (the “Predecessor Income Fund”) (together, the “Predecessor Funds”), respectively. The shareholders of the Predecessor Funds received shares of the Funds with aggregate net asset values equal to the aggregate net asset values of their shares in the Predecessor Funds immediately prior to the Reorganization. The Predecessor Funds’ investment objectives, policies and limitations were substantially identical to those of the Funds, which had no operations prior to the Reorganization. For financial reporting purposes, the Predecessor Funds’ operating history prior to the Reorganization is reflected in the financial statements and financial highlights. The Reorganization was treated as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, the basis of the assets of the Funds reflected the historical basis of the assets of the Predecessor Funds as of the date of the Reorganization. The Reorganization is also considered tax-free based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The Funds’ investment adviser is IMS Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”).
The following descriptions and policies supplement these descriptions and also include descriptions of certain types of investments that may be made by a Fund but are not principal investment strategies of a Fund.
General Investment Risks. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that a Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of a Fund’s investments and their risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI.
Common Stocks. A Fund may invest in common stocks, which include the common stock of any class or series of domestic or foreign corporations or any similar equity interest, such as a trust or partnership interest. These investments may or may not pay dividends and may or may not carry voting rights. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. A Fund may also invest in warrants and rights related to common stocks.
Investments in Small-Cap Companies and Micro-Cap Companies. A Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in securities of companies with small market capitalizations or micro market capitalizations. Certain small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may offer greater potential for capital appreciation than larger companies. However, investors should note that this potential for greater capital appreciation is accompanied by a substantial risk of loss and that, by their very nature, investments in small-cap companies and micro-cap companies tend to be very volatile and speculative. Small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may have a small share of the market for their products or services, their businesses may be limited to regional markets, or they may provide goods and services for a limited market. For example, they may be developing or marketing new products or services for markets that are not yet established or may never become established. In addition, small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may have or will develop only a regional market for products or services and thus be affected by local or regional market conditions. In addition, small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may lack depth of management or they may be unable to generate funds necessary for growth or potential development, either internally or through external financing on favorable terms. Such companies may also be insignificant in their industries and be subject to or become subject to intense competition from larger companies. Due to these and other factors, a Fund’s investments in small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may suffer significant losses. Further, there is typically a smaller market for the securities of a small-cap company or micro-cap company than for securities of a large company. Therefore, investments in small-cap companies and micro-cap companies may be less liquid and subject to significant price declines that result in losses for a Fund.
1
Derivative Instruments. A Fund may (but is not required to) use a variety of derivative instruments (including both long and short positions) in an attempt to enhance the Fund’s investment returns, to hedge against market and other risks in the portfolio, to add leverage to the portfolio and/or to obtain market exposure with reduced transaction costs.
Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index and may relate to, among other things, stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indices and other assets. Examples of derivatives and information about some types of derivatives and risks associated therewith follows. The derivatives market is continually evolving and a Fund may invest in derivatives other than those described below.
The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of a Fund, the ability of a Fund to utilize these instruments successfully may depend in part upon their ability to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If a Fund incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Fund could suffer losses.
A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described herein, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. If a Fund incorrectly forecasts interest rates, market values or other economic factors in utilizing a derivatives strategy, a Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The use of derivative strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they also can reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of a Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because a Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability of a Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions. A Fund’s use of derivatives may increase or accelerate the amount of ordinary income recognized by shareholders.
Federal legislation has been recently enacted in the U.S. that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. While the ultimate impact is not yet clear, these changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon a Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions.
2
Options on Securities and Indices. As described in the Prospectus, a Fund may, among other things, purchase and sell put and call options on equity, debt or other securities or indices in standardized contracts traded on foreign or domestic securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”) System or on a regulated foreign over-the-counter market, and agreements, sometimes called cash puts, which may accompany the purchase of a new issue from a dealer. Among other reasons, a Fund may purchase put options to protect holdings in an underlying or related security against a decline in market value, and may purchase call options to protect against increases in the prices of securities it intends to purchase pending its ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner.
An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the seller of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The seller 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 seller 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 features of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators.)
When a Fund sells a call (put) option on an underlying security it owns (is short), the option is sometimes referred to as a “covered option.” A Fund may sell such options. When a Fund sells a call or put option on underlying securities it does not own (is not short), the option is sometimes referred to as a “naked option.”
A Fund may sell “naked” call options on individual securities or instruments in which it may invest but that are not currently held by a Fund. When selling “naked” call options, a Fund must deposit and maintain sufficient margin with the broker-dealer through which it sold the “naked” call option as collateral to ensure that it meets its obligations as the seller of the option. A Fund is further subject to the segregation requirements described below when it sells “naked” call options. Such segregation will ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit a Fund’s exposure to loss. During periods of declining securities prices or when prices are stable, selling “naked” call options can be a profitable strategy to increase a Fund’s income with minimal capital risk. However, when the price of the security underlying the sold option increases, a Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the security underlying the option exceeds the option’s exercise price, a Fund will lose the difference. “Naked” sold call options are riskier than covered call options because there is no underlying security held by a Fund that can act as a partial hedge. “Naked” sold call options have speculative characteristics, and the potential for loss is theoretically unlimited. When a “naked” sold call option is exercised, a Fund must purchase the underlying security to meet its delivery obligation or make a payment equal to the value of its obligation in order to close out the option. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities or small capitalization securities, that the securities may not be available for purchase.
A naked put option is a position in which a buyer sells a put option and has no position in the underlying stock. A naked put option may be used when a Fund expects the underlying stock to be trading above the strike price at the time of expiration. A Fund will benefit from a naked put option if the underlying stock is trading above the strike price at the time of the expiration of the put option and expires worthless because a Fund will keep the entire premium. A Fund could lose money if the price of the underlying stock is below the strike price because the put may be exercised against a Fund, causing a Fund to buy the stock at the strike price.
3
If an option sold by a Fund expires unexercised, a Fund realizes a capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was sold. If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, a Fund realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index, exercise price, and expiration). In addition, a Fund may sell put or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option that is sold. There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when a Fund desires.
A Fund will realize a capital gain from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less than the premium received from selling the option, or, if it is more, a Fund will realize a capital loss. If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, a Fund will realize a capital gain or, if it is less, a Fund will realize a capital loss. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security or index in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration date.
While, as mentioned above, a Fund may sell naked call or put options, such options will nonetheless be deemed to be “covered” as such term is used in the context of Section 18 of the 1940 Act. In the case of a call option on a security, a call option is covered for these purposes if a Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) in an amount equal to the contract value of the position (minus any collateral deposited with a broker-dealer), on a mark-to-market basis. The option is also covered if a Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or other assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by a Fund. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if a Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same index or security as the call sold where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call sold, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call sold, provided the difference is segregated by a Fund in assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser. A put option on a security or an index is “covered” if a Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same security or index as the put sold where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put sold, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put sold, provided the difference is segregated by a Fund in assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser.
OTC Options. A Fund may also purchase and sell over-the-counter (“OTC”) options. OTC options differ from traded options in that they are two-party contracts, with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options. A Fund may be required to treat as illiquid OTC options purchased and securities being used to cover certain sold OTC options, and they will treat the amount by which such formula price exceeds the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., the amount, if any, by which the market price of the underlying security exceeds the exercise price of the option) as an illiquid investment. A Fund may also purchase and sell dealer options.
Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indices. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities, including ETFs, and on indices. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve the intended result. 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 because of market behavior or unexpected events.
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There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when a Fund seeks to close out an option position. If a Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security or index, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If a Fund were unable to close out a call option that it had sold on a security held in its portfolio, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise. As the seller of a call option on an individual security held in a Fund’s portfolio, a Fund foregoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security or index position covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price of the call but has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the underlying security or index position decline. Similarly, as the seller of a call option on a securities index or ETF, a Fund forgoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the index or ETF over the strike price of the option, though it retains the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of a Fund’s portfolio securities decline.
The value of call options sold by a Fund will be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of underlying securities (including those comprising an index), changes in the dividend rates of underlying securities (including those comprising an index), changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the stock market and underlying securities and the remaining time to an option’s expiration. The value of an option also may be adversely affected if the market for the option is reduced or becomes less liquid. The seller of an option generally has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a seller of the option. Once an option seller 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.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the securities held by a Fund are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that may not be reflected in the options markets. In addition, a Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which the options are traded. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose other sanctions that could adversely affect a Fund engaging in options transactions.
If a put or call option purchased by a Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security or index 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), a Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security or index is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security or index, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security or index. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options markets, a Fund may be unable to close out a position. Similarly, if restrictions on exercise were imposed, a Fund might be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. Except to the extent that a call option on an index or ETF sold by a Fund is covered by an option on the same index or ETF purchased by a Fund, movements in the index or ETF may result in a loss to a Fund; however, such losses may be mitigated by changes in the value of a Fund’s securities during the period the option was outstanding (based, in part, on the extent of correlation (if any) between the performance of the index or ETF and the performance of a Fund’s portfolio securities).
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Foreign Currency Options. A Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies in various circumstances, including, but not limited to, as a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in relation to a foreign currency in which a Fund’s securities may be denominated or to cross-hedge or in an attempt to increase the total return when the Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value. In addition, a Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits, which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.
Option Combinations. A Fund may combine options transactions, which combinations may be in the form of option spreads or option collars. Put spreads and collars are designed to protect against a decline in value of a security a Fund owns. A collar involves the purchase of a put and the simultaneous selling of a call on the same security at a higher strike price. The put protects the investor from a decline in the price of the security below the put’s strike price. The call means that the investor will not benefit from increases in the price of the security beyond the call’s strike price. In a put spread, an investor purchases a put and simultaneously sells a put on the same security at a lower strike price. This combination protects the investor against a decline in the price down to the lower strike price. The premium received for selling the call (in the case of a collar) or selling the put (in the case of a put spread) offsets, in whole or in part, the premium paid to purchase the put.
In a call spread, an investor purchases a call and simultaneously sells a call on the same security, with the call sold having a higher strike price than the call purchased. The purchased call is designed to provide exposure to a potential increase in the value of a security an investor owns. The premium received for selling the call offsets, in part, the premium paid to purchase the corresponding call, but it also means that the investor will not benefit from increases in the price of the security beyond the sold call’s strike price.
A Fund may sell straddles (covered or uncovered) consisting of a combination of a call and a put sold on the same underlying security. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet a Fund’s immediate obligations. A 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, a Fund will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a bilateral agreement to buy or sell a security (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contracts) for a set price in the future. Futures contracts are designated by boards of trade that have been designated “contracts markets” by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). No purchase price is paid or received when the contract is entered into. Instead, a Fund, upon entering into a futures contract (and to maintain a Fund’s open positions in futures contracts), would be required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. By using futures contracts as a risk management technique, given the greater liquidity in the futures market than in the cash market, it may be possible to accomplish certain results more quickly and with lower transaction costs.
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If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to a Fund. These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” A Fund expects to earn interest income on their initial and variation margin deposits.
A Fund will incur brokerage fees when they purchase and sell futures contracts. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a gain or a loss. While futures positions taken by a Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, a Fund may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for a Fund to do so. A clearing organization associated with the exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing out transactions and guarantees that as between the clearing members of an exchange, the sale and purchase obligations will be performed with regard to all positions that remain open at the termination of the contract.
Securities Index Futures Contracts. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts may be used in an attempt to protect a Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in securities prices. A securities index futures contract does not require the physical delivery of securities, but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contract’s expiration date, a final cash settlement occurs and the futures positions are simply closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of securities on which the future is based.
By establishing an appropriate “short” position in index futures, a Fund may also seek to protect the value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for such securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, a Fund can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a “long” position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, a Fund will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case.
Options on Futures Contracts. A Fund may purchase exchange-traded call and put options on futures contracts and sell exchange-traded call options on futures contracts. These options are traded on exchanges that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC for the purpose of options trading. A call option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to purchase a futures contract (assume a “long” position) at a specified exercise price at any time before the option expires. A put option gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to sell a futures contract (assume a “short” position), for a specified exercise price at any time before the option expires.
A Fund may sell options on futures contracts that are “covered.” A Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a put option it has sold if, so long as it is obligated as seller of the put, a Fund segregates with its custodian cash, U.S. government securities or liquid securities at all times equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the puts it has sold (less any related margin deposited with the futures broker). A Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a call option it has sold on a debt security future if, so long as it is obligated as a seller of the call, a Fund owns a security deliverable under the futures contract. A Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a call option it has sold on a securities index future if a Fund owns securities the price changes of which are, in the opinion of the Adviser, expected to replicate substantially the movement of the index upon which the futures contract is based.
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Upon the exercise of a call option, the seller of the option is obligated to sell the futures contract (to deliver a “long” position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be lower than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. Upon exercise of a put, the seller of the option is obligated to purchase the futures contract (deliver a “short” position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be higher than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. When the holder of an option exercises it and assumes a long futures position, in the case of a call, or a short futures position, in the case of a put, its gain will be credited to its futures margin account, while the loss suffered by the seller of the option will be debited to its account and must be immediately paid by the seller. However, as with the trading of futures, most participants in the options markets do not seek to realize their gains or losses by exercise of their option rights. Instead, the holder of an option will usually realize a gain or loss by buying or selling an offsetting option at a market price that will reflect an increase or a decrease from the premium originally paid.
If a Fund sells options on futures contracts, a Fund will receive a premium but will assume a risk of adverse movement in the price of the underlying futures contract comparable to that involved in holding a futures position. If the option is not exercised, a Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium, which may partially offset unfavorable changes in the value of securities held in or to be acquired for a Fund. If the option is exercised, a Fund will incur a loss in the option transaction, which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it has received, but that will offset any favorable changes in the value of its portfolio securities or, in the case of a put, lower prices of securities it intends to acquire.
Options on futures contracts can be used by a Fund to hedge substantially the same risks as might be addressed by the direct purchase or sale of the underlying futures contracts. If a Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it may obtain benefits similar to those that would result if it held the futures position itself. Purchases of options on futures contracts may present less risk in hedging than the purchase and sale of the underlying futures contracts since the potential loss is limited to the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
The purchase of put options on futures contracts may be used as a means of hedging a Fund’s portfolio against a general decline in market prices. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract may represent a means of hedging a Fund’s portfolio against a market advance when a Fund is fully invested.
The selling of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the underlying securities. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, a Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the value of a Fund’s holdings of securities. The selling of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a futures contract in that it hedges against an increase in the price of securities a Fund intends to acquire. However, the hedge is limited to the amount of premium received for selling the put.
Hedging. A Fund may engage in an ongoing hedging strategy. Hedging is a means of transferring risk that an investor does not wish to assume during an uncertain market environment. A Fund may enter into these transactions: (a) to hedge against changes in the market value of portfolio securities and against changes in the market value of securities intended to be purchased, (b) to close out or offset existing positions, (c) to manage the duration of a portfolio’s fixed income investments, or (d) to enhance returns.
Hedging activity in a Fund may involve the use of derivatives including, but not limited to, buying or selling (writing) put or call options on stocks, shares of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or stock indexes, buying ETFs or other investment companies that engage in hedging strategies, entering into stock index futures contracts or buying or selling options on stock index futures contracts or financial futures contracts, such as futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities and interest related indices, and options on financial futures, or purchasing foreign currency forward contracts or options on foreign currency. A Fund will buy or sell options on stock index futures traded on a national exchange or board of trade and options on securities and on stock indexes traded on national securities exchanges or through private transactions directly with a broker-dealer. A Fund may hedge a portion of its portfolio by selling stock index futures contracts or purchasing puts on these contracts to limit exposure to an actual or anticipated market decline. A Fund may also hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates, in connection with its investments in foreign securities by purchasing foreign forward currency exchange contracts and/or options on foreign currency.
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A notice on behalf of the Trust has been filed with the National Futures Association claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Trust’s operation. Accordingly, a Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Foreign Securities. Foreign securities include U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. A Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities traded directly on U.S. exchanges, foreign exchanges, over-the-counter or in the form of American Depositary Receipts. A Fund may also invest in foreign currency-denominated fixed-income securities. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. Many of the risks are more pronounced for investments in developing or emerging market countries, or countries whose markets are becoming open, or have only recently opened, to private investment, foreign investment or both.
American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs provide a method whereby a Fund may invest in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities, and may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program. ADRs are subject to many of the risks affecting foreign investments generally, except for those specific to trading securities on foreign exchanges.
Political and Economic Factors. Foreign investments involve risks unique to the local political, economic, and regulatory structures in place, as well as the potential for social instability, military unrest, or diplomatic developments that could prove adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Individual foreign economies can differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. In addition, significant external political and economic risks currently affect some foreign countries. War and terrorism affect many countries. Many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy or economies elsewhere around the world (e.g., Europe), and are adversely affected when the U.S. or other world economies weaken or their markets decline.
Government Action. Governments in certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and economic conditions of their trading partners. The enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.
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Foreign Currencies; Currency Fluctuations. A Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For securities valued in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s assets denominated in that currency. Such changes will also affect a Fund’s income and may affect the income of companies in which a Fund invests. Generally, when a given currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar weakens), the value of a Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will rise. When a given currency depreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar strengthens), the value of a Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will decline. Countries with managed currencies that are maintained at artificial levels to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market may experience sudden and large adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. Similarly, a Fund may be adversely affected by holding securities in foreign currencies that are not readily convertible into U.S. dollars.
Potential Adverse Changes. With respect to certain foreign countries, especially developing and emerging ones, there is the possibility of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments by U.S. persons in those countries.
Information and Supervision. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies comparable to reports and ratings that are published about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are also generally not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. It also is often more difficult to keep currently informed of corporate actions that affect the prices of portfolio securities.
Market Characteristics. Foreign securities markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile and have less volume and liquidity than, those in the United States. Securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. Commissions on foreign securities trades are generally higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, and while there are an increasing number of overseas securities markets that have adopted a system of negotiated rates, a number are still subject to an established schedule of minimum commission rates. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement.” Failed settlements can result in losses to a Fund.
Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions limit and, at times, preclude investment in such countries and increase the cost and expenses of a Fund. Investments by foreign investors are subject to a variety of restrictions in many developing countries. These restrictions may take the form of prior governmental approval, limits on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners, and limits on the types of companies in which foreigners may invest. Additional or different restrictions may be imposed at any time by these or other countries in which a Fund invests. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from several foreign countries is restricted and controlled under certain regulations, including in some cases the need for certain government consents.
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Taxes. The dividends and interest payable on foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to a Fund’s shareholders. In addition, some governments may impose a tax on purchases by foreign investors of certain securities that trade in their country.
Depositary Receipts. A Fund’s investments may include securities of foreign issuers in the form of sponsored or unsponsored ADRs, Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by a United State bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities market and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle a Fund to financial or other reports from the issuer of the underlying security, to which it would be entitled as the owner of sponsored depositary receipts.
Convertible Securities. Although the equity investments of a Fund consist primarily of common and preferred stocks, a Fund may buy securities convertible into common stock if, for example, the Adviser believes that a company’s convertible securities are undervalued in the market. Convertible securities eligible for purchase by a Fund include convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks, and warrants. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation that gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specific amount of the corporation’s capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. Warrants do not represent ownership of the underlying securities, but only the right to buy the securities. The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of underlying securities. Warrants may be considered speculative in that they have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of a corporation issuing them. Warrant positions will not be used to increase the leverage of a Fund; consequently, warrant positions are generally accompanied by cash positions equivalent to the required exercise amount. A Fund’s ability to invest in warrants may be limited by a Fund’s investment restrictions.
Real Estate Securities. A Fund will not invest in real estate (including mortgage loans and limited partnership interests), but may invest in readily marketable securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. A Fund may also invest in readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are generally publicly traded on the national stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including risk related to changes interest rates.
Government Securities. A Fund may invest a portion of the portfolio in U.S. government securities, defined to be U.S. government obligations such as U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) as well as obligations of U.S. government authorities, agencies and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), and The Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities may be acquired subject to repurchase agreements. While obligations of some U.S. government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (e.g., GNMA), several are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (e.g., FNMA, FHLMC), and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself (e.g., SLMA, FFCB). No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in the future, other than as set forth above, since it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. government does not extend to the yield or value of a Fund’s shares.
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Foreign Government Obligations. A Fund may invest in short-term obligations of foreign sovereign governments or of their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions. These securities may be denominated in United States dollars or in another currency.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities, such as those issued by GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC or certain foreign issuers. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. The mortgages backing these securities include, among other mortgage instruments, conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. The government or the issuing agency typically guarantees the payment of interest and principal of these securities. However, the guarantees do not extend to the securities’ yield or value, which are likely to vary inversely with fluctuations in interest rates, nor do the guarantees extend to the yield or value of a Fund’s shares. These securities generally are “pass-through” instruments, through which the holders receive a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages underlying the securities, net of certain fees.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and the associated average life assumption. The average life of pass-through pools varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage loans. A pool’s term may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal on the underlying mortgages. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location, scheduled maturity and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. Because prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular pool. For pools of fixed-rate 30-year mortgages in a stable interest rate environment, a common industry practice in the U.S. has been to assume that prepayments will result in a 12-year average life, although it may vary depending on various factors. At present, pools, particularly those with loans with other maturities or different characteristics, are priced on an assumption of average life determined for each pool. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely, in periods of rising rates the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average life of the pool. However, these effects may not be present, or may differ in degree, if the mortgage loans in the pools have adjustable interest rates or other special payment terms, such as a prepayment charge. Actual prepayment experience may cause the yield of mortgage- backed securities to differ from the assumed average life yield. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than the original investment, thus affecting a Fund’s yield.
The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is lower than the interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to the annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through monthly payments to certificate holders and to any guarantor, such as GNMA, and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may vary from the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed securities are purchased or traded in the secondary market at a premium or discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between the time the issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer makes the payments on the mortgage- backed securities, and this delay reduces the effective yield to the holder of such securities.
Asset-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation.
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Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by other securities in which a Fund may invest. Automobile receivables generally are secured by automobiles. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition, there is no assurance that the security interest in the collateral can be realized.
Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures. A Fund may invest in structured notes, bonds and debentures. Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of a Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.
Assignments and Participations. A Fund may invest in assignments of and participations in loans issued by banks and other financial institutions.
When a Fund purchases assignments from lending financial institutions, a Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. However, since assignments are generally arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.
Participations in loans will typically result in a Fund having a contractual relationship with the lending financial institution, not the borrower. A Fund would have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and a Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased a participation. As a result, a Fund purchasing a participation will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.
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A Fund may have difficulty disposing of assignments and participations because there is no liquid market for such securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market will have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular assignments or participations when necessary to meet a Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid market for assignments and participations also may make it more difficult for a Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing a Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value.
A Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a foreign government (a “Borrower”) and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”). The majority of a Fund’s investments in Loans are expected to be in the form of participations in Loans (“Participations”) and assignments of portions of Loans from third parties (“Assignments”). Participations typically will result in a Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the Borrower. A Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the Borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the Borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the Borrower, and a Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, a Fund will assume the credit risk of both the Borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a Participation, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the Borrower.
When a Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, a Fund will acquire direct rights against the Borrower on the Loan. However, since Assignments are generally arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.
There are risks involved in investing in Participations and Assignments. A Fund may have difficulty disposing of them because there is no liquid market for such securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market will have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular Participations or Assignments when necessary to meet a Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the Borrower. The lack of a liquid market for Participations and Assignments also may make it more difficult for a Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing a Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value.
Corporate Debt Securities. A Fund’s fixed income investments may include corporate, municipal or other government debt securities. Corporate and municipal debt obligations purchased by a Fund may be any credit quality, maturity or yield. Accordingly, a Fund’s debt securities may include “investment grade” securities (those rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. (“Fitch”) or, if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion. In addition, a Fund’s debt securities may include lower-rated debt securities including, without limitation, junk bonds. Debt obligations rated Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P, or Fitch may be considered speculative and are subject to risks of non-payment of interest and principal. Debt obligations rated lower than Baa3 by Moody’s or lower than BBB- by S&P or Fitch are generally considered speculative and subject to significant risks of non-payment of interest and principal. Descriptions of the quality ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch are contained in this SAI. While the Adviser utilizes the ratings of various credit rating services as one factor in establishing creditworthiness, it relies primarily upon its own analysis of factors establishing creditworthiness.
14
Money Market Instruments. A Fund may invest in money market instruments including U.S. government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements), provided that they are eligible for purchase by a Fund. Money market instruments also may include Banker’s Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks, Commercial Paper, and Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (“Master Notes”). Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When a Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank that “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Maturities of Commercial Paper generally range from 2 to 270 days and are usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. A Fund will invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes are acquired by a Fund only through the Master Note program of a Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof. The Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by a Fund.
ETFs. A Fund may invest in Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a fund that holds a portfolio of common stocks or bonds designed to track the performance of a securities index or sector of an index. ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. An ETF portfolio holds the same stocks or bonds as the index it tracks, so its market price reflects the value of the index at any given time. ETFs are registered investment companies and incur fees and expenses such as operating expenses, licensing fees, registration fees, trustees’ fees, and marketing expenses, and ETF shareholders, such as a Fund, pay their proportionate share of these expenses. Your cost of investing in a Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs. By investing in a Fund, you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying ETFs in which a Fund invests in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses.
Unit Investment Trusts. A unit investment trust, commonly referred to as a UIT, is one of three basic types of investment companies. The other two types are mutual funds and closed-end funds. A unit investment trust is a registered investment company that buys and holds a generally fixed portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. “Units” in the trust are sold to investors (unitholders) who receive a share of principal and dividends (or interest). A UIT has a stated date for termination that varies according to the investments held in its portfolio. A UIT investing in long-term bonds may remain outstanding for 20 to 30 years. UITs that invest in stocks may seek to capture capital appreciation over a period of a year or a few years. When these trusts are dissolved, proceeds from the securities are either paid to unitholders or reinvested in another trust. A UIT does not actively trade its investment portfolio. That is, a UIT buys a relatively fixed portfolio of securities (for example, five, ten, or twenty specific stocks or bonds), and holds them with little or no change for the life of the UIT. Because the investment portfolio of a UIT generally is fixed, investors know more or less what they are investing in for the duration of their investment. Investors will find the portfolio securities held by the UIT listed in its prospectus.
Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a short term investment in which the purchaser acquires ownership of a U.S. government security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Any repurchase transaction in which a Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller’s obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, a Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value.
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Reverse Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may also be involved with reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements in which a Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by a Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because a Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.
Illiquid Investments. A Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Trustees”), the Adviser determines the liquidity of a Fund’s investments, and through reports from the Adviser, the Trustees monitor investments in illiquid instruments. In determining the liquidity of a Fund’s investments, the Adviser may consider various factors including (1) the frequency of trades and quotations; (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market; (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features); and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset a Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the investment). If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, a Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, a Fund may take appropriate steps to protect a Fund’s liquidity as deemed necessary or advisable by a Fund. A Fund, through its Fair Value Committee, values illiquid securities using its fair value procedures (described below) but there can be no assurance that (i) a Fund will determine fair value for a private investment accurately; (ii) that a Fund will be able to sell private securities for the fair value determined by a Fund; or (iii) that a Fund will be able to sell such securities at all. Investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.
Private Securities Transactions. In general, securities purchased in private transactions are legally restricted as to resale. A Fund’s investments in private placements will be subject to a number of risks because the securities will be illiquid securities for which there is no public market. Illiquid securities are subject to risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. In addition, as noted under “Illiquid Securities” above, if at any time more than 15% of a Fund’s net assets are invested in illiquid securities, a Fund may take appropriate steps to protect a Fund’s liquidity as deemed necessary or advisable by a Fund. In such a case, a Fund may seek to sell private securities in its portfolio prematurely at prices below what the Adviser believes to be the securities’ fair value.
Restricted Securities. Within its limitation on investment in illiquid securities and a Fund’s private investments, a Fund may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time a Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security. A Fund values restricted securities under fair value procedures described above under “Illiquid Securities” and as described in the section entitled “Investing in a Fund – Determining a Fund’s Net Asset Value” of the Prospectus.
Forward Commitment & When-Issued Securities. A Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if a Fund holds sufficient assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, a Fund will not accrue interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, a Fund will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although a Fund would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, a Fund may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if the Adviser felt such action was appropriate. In such a case, a Fund could incur a short-term gain or loss.
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Short Sales of Securities. A Fund may make short sales, which are transactions in which a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete a short sale transaction, a Fund will borrow the security from a broker-dealer, which generally involves the payment of a premium and transaction costs. A Fund then sells the borrowed security to a buyer in the market. A Fund will then cover the short position by buying shares in the market either (i) at its discretion; or (ii) when called by the broker-dealer lender. Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay the broker-dealer lender any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. In addition, the net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet regulatory or other requirements, until the short position is closed out.
A Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which a Fund replaces the borrowed security. A Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses a Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. When a Fund makes a short sale, a Fund will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. government securities, or equity securities) on a Fund’s books and/or in a segregated account at a Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover the current value of the securities to be replaced as well as any dividends, interest and/or transaction costs due to the broker-dealer lender. In determining the amount to be segregated, any securities that have been sold short by a Fund will be marked to market daily. To the extent the market price of the security sold short increases and more assets are required to meet a Fund’s short sale obligations, additional assets will be segregated to ensure adequate coverage of a Fund’s short position obligations.
In addition, a Fund may make short sales “against the box;” i.e., when a Fund sells a security short when a Fund has segregated securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. A Fund will incur transaction costs, including interest, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. In order to generate additional income, a Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities that the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees. In determining whether a Fund will lend securities, the Adviser will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. A Fund may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities or letters of credit. A Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with a Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to a Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay a Fund any interest paid on the loaned securities, and a Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, a Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that a Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or a Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of a Fund or the borrower at any time. A Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
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Temporary Defensive Positions. A Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with a Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such an unusual set of circumstances, a Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When a Fund takes a temporary defensive position, a Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Restrictions. Each Fund has adopted the following “fundamental restrictions,” which cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of a Fund. A “majority” for this purpose means the lesser of (i) 67% of a Fund’s shares represented in person or by proxy at a meeting at which more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented, or (ii) more than 50% of its outstanding shares.
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. As a matter of fundamental policy, a Fund may not:
(1) Issue senior securities, except as permitted by Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act;
(2) Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under Section 18(f)(1) the 1940 Act (including, but not limited to, reverse repurchase agreements and borrowing to meet redemptions). For purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing;
(3) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with selling covered put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices;
(4) Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws;
(5) Make loans, provided that a Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets, and provided further that, for purposes of this restriction, investment in U.S. Government obligations, short- term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and repurchase agreements shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate directly; provided, however, that a Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate (including, without limitation, investments in REITs and mortgage-backed securities);
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, except that a Fund may purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices and may purchase interests in equity securities issued by companies (including, without limitation, investment companies) that hold or invest in one or more commodities as their sole or principal business activity; or
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(8) Invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in any particular industry. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions and investments in other registered investment companies are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. The Fund will consider the concentration of underlying investments in determining compliance with this policy.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, a Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities on margin; provided, however, that a Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions, may make short sales to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and may enter into options, forward contracts, futures contracts or indices options on futures contracts or indices;
(2) Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management over a portfolio company;
(3) Invest in securities of other registered investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;
(4) Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs, although a Fund may invest in the common stock of companies which invest in or sponsor such programs;
(5) Invest 15% or more of its total net assets in illiquid securities; or
(6) Purchase warrants if as a result a Fund would then have more than 5% of its total net assets (taken at the lower of cost or current value) invested in warrants.
With respect to the “fundamental” and “non-fundamental” investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the percentage limitations on borrowing under a Fund’s second fundamental investment restriction apply at all times.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for, makes decisions with respect to, and places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities for a Fund. The Adviser shall manage a Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the terms of each Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Adviser and that Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser selects the securities and manages the investments for a Fund, and also selects broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions, all subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is described in detail under “Management and Administration”. The Adviser serves as investment adviser for a number of client accounts, including the Funds. Investment decisions for a Fund will be made independently from those for any other series of the Trust, if any, and for any other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Adviser.
Brokerage Selection. In selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Adviser’s general guiding principal is to obtain the best overall execution for each trade, which is a combination of price and execution. With respect to execution, the Adviser considers a number of judgmental factors, including, without limitation, the actual handling of the order, the ability of the broker to settle the trade promptly and accurately, the financial standing of the broker, the ability of the broker to position stock to facilitate execution, the Adviser’s past experience with similar trades and other factors that may be unique to a particular order. Recognizing the value of these judgmental factors, the Adviser may select brokers who charge a brokerage commission that is higher than the lowest commission that might otherwise be available for any given trade. The Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of a Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that promote or sell a Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on the broker’s sales efforts.
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Under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and as provided in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is authorized to cause each Fund to pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction, in recognition of the value of brokerage and/or research services provided by the broker. The research received may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, groups of securities, individual companies, political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Where a product or service has a mixed use among research, brokerage and other purposes, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to the uses and will pay for the non-research and non-brokerage functions in cash using its own funds.
The research and investment information services described above make available to the Adviser for its analysis and consideration the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. These services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than a Fund and not all such services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with a Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Adviser’s own investment information in rendering services to a Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to reduce materially the expenses of the Adviser in the performance of its services under the Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the management fees payable to the Adviser by a Fund.
A Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. Transactions in the over-the-counter market are generally principal transactions with dealers and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. A Fund, where possible, deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and/or execution are available elsewhere. When a transaction involves exchange listed securities, the Adviser considers the advisability of effecting the transaction with a broker which is not a member of the securities exchange on which the security to be purchased is listed or effecting the transaction in the institutional market.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, each Fund paid the following amount of brokerage commissions:
|
Name of Fund |
Brokerage Commissions Paid |
|||||
|
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||
|
Value Fund |
$16,803 |
|
$53,510 |
|
$7,679 |
|
|
Income Fund |
$50,863 |
|
$28,690 |
|
$23,505 |
|
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Aggregated Trades. While investment decisions for a Fund are made independently of the Adviser’s other client accounts, the Adviser’s other client accounts may invest in the same securities as a Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other investment companies or accounts in executing transactions. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of a Fund and another investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to a Fund and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by a Fund.
Portfolio Turnover. The annualized portfolio turnover rate for a Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the reporting period. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover of a Fund may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements that enable a Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor in making Fund decisions, and a Fund may engage in short-term trading to achieve its investment objectives.
The following table sets forth each Fund’s turnover rate for the last two fiscal years:
|
Name of Fund |
2021 |
2020 |
|
Value Fund* |
79.58% |
263.64% |
|
Income Fund** |
531.13% |
390.29% |
*The significant variation in portfolio turnover for the Value Fund between fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is attributable to the Value Fund’s rotation into a more defensive strategy surrounding economic and political uncertainty as well as to minimize capital gains distributions to investors.
**The significant variation in portfolio turnover for the Income Fund between fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is attributable to the Income Fund’s dividend recapture strategy.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted policies to govern the circumstances under which disclosure regarding securities held by a Fund and disclosure of purchases and sales of such securities may be made to shareholders of the Trust or other persons. These policies include the following:
|
● |
Public disclosure regarding the securities held by a Fund (“Portfolio Securities”) on a given day will not be made until the close of the next business day at least 24 hours after such day. |
|
● |
Public disclosure regarding a Fund’s Portfolio Securities is made quarterly through the Funds’ Form N-Q and Semi-Annual and Annual Reports (“Official Reports”). Other than the Official Reports, shareholders and other persons generally may not be provided with information regarding Portfolio Securities held, purchased or sold by a Fund. |
|
● |
Information regarding Portfolio Securities, and other information regarding the investment activities of the Portfolios, may be disclosed to rating and ranking organizations for use in connection with their rating or ranking of the Trust or a Fund, but only if such disclosure has been publicly disclosed or approved in writing by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust (the “CCO”). The CCO will not approve arrangements prior to public disclosure unless persons receiving the information provide assurances that the information will not be used for inappropriate trading in Fund shares. |
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|
● |
The Trust’s policy relating to disclosure of the Trust’s holdings of Portfolio Securities does not prohibit: (i) disclosure of information to the Trust’s investment adviser or to other Trust service providers, including but not limited to the Trust’s administrator, distributor, custodian, legal counsel and auditors as identified in the Prospectus and this SAI, financial printers or to brokers and dealers through which the Trust purchases and sells Portfolio Securities; and (ii) disclosure of holdings of or transactions in Portfolio Securities by a Fund that is made on the same basis to all Fund shareholders. This information is disclosed to third parties under conditions of confidentiality. “Conditions of confidentiality” include (i) confidentiality clauses in written agreements, (ii) confidentiality implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), (iii) confidentiality required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody relationships), and (iv) understandings or expectations between the parties that the information will be kept confidential. |
|
● |
The CCO is required to approve any arrangements other than disclosure to service providers under which information relating to Portfolio Securities held by the Portfolios, or purchased or sold by a Fund is disclosed to a shareholder or other person before disclosure in the Official Reports. In making such a determination, the CCO may consider, among other things, the information to be disclosed, the timing of the disclosure, the intended use of the information, whether the arrangement is reasonably necessary to aid in conducting the ongoing business of a Fund, and whether the arrangement will adversely affect the Trust, a Fund or its shareholders. The CCO will not approve such arrangements unless persons receiving the information provide assurances that the information will not be used for inappropriate trading in Fund shares. |
|
● |
The CCO shall inform the Board of Trustees of any special portfolio holdings disclosure arrangements that are approved by the CCO, and the rationale supporting approval. |
|
● |
Neither the Trust’s investment adviser nor the Trust (or any affiliated person, employee, officer, trustee or director of the investment adviser or the Trust) may receive any direct or indirect compensation in consideration of the disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities held, purchased or sold by a Fund. |
“Third Parties” or a “Third Party” means a person other than a Service Provider, an employee of a Service Provider, a Trustee of the Trust, or an officer of the Funds.
“Service Providers” or a “Service Provider” includes, but is not limited to, the investment adviser, administrator, custodian, transfer agent, fund accountant, principal underwriter, software or technology service providers, pricing and proxy voting service providers, research and trading service providers, auditors, accountants, and legal counsel, or any other entity that has a need to know such information in order to fulfill their contractual obligations to provide services to the Funds.
In order to protect a Fund from any trading practices or other use by a Third Party that could harm the Fund, Portfolio Holdings’ and other Fund-specific information must not be selectively released or disclosed except under the circumstances described below.
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The Board will periodically review the list of entities that have received, other than through public channels, Portfolio Holdings data, to ensure that the disclosure of the information was in the best interest of shareholders, identify any potential for conflicts of interest and evaluate the effectiveness of its current portfolio holding policy.
The identity of such entities is provided below:
|
Name of Recipient |
Frequency of |
Information Lag |
Date of |
Date Provided to |
|
IMS Capital Management, Inc. (Adviser) |
Daily |
None |
Daily |
Daily |
|
M3Sixty Administration, LLC (Administrator) |
Daily |
None |
Daily |
Daily |
|
Huntington National Bank (Custodian) |
Daily |
None |
Daily |
Daily |
|
BBD, LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) |
As needed |
None |
As needed |
As needed |
|
Strauss Troy Co., LPA (Trust Counsel) |
As needed |
None |
As needed |
As needed |
|
Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (Principal Underwriter) |
Daily |
None |
Daily |
As needed |
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust, which is a statutory trust organized under Delaware law on February 24, 2005, is an open-end management investment company. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) authorizes the Trustees to divide shares into series, each series relating to a separate portfolio of investments, and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares into one or more classes of shares of each such series. The Trust currently offers 6 series of shares. The number of shares in the Trust shall be unlimited. The Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Funds into additional classes of shares at a future date. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, shares of a Fund will be fully paid and non-assessable and shall have no preemptive or conversion rights.
In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual series, such as a Fund, shareholders of a particular series would be entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to such series. Shareholders of a series are entitled to participate equally in the net distributable assets of the particular series involved on liquidation, based on the number of shares of the series that are held by each shareholder. If there are any assets, income, earnings, proceeds, funds or payments that are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or more of the series as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share and a fractional vote for each fractional share held. Shares have non-cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees, and in this event, the holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees. Rights of shareholders cannot be modified by less than a majority vote.
The Trustees will hold office indefinitely, except that: (1) any Trustee may resign or retire and (2) any Trustee may be removed: (a) any time by action of a majority of the four Trustees at a duly constituted meeting; (b) at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust; or (c) by a written declaration signed by shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In case a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees shall for any reason exist, the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act.
23
The Trust Instrument provides that the Trustees will not be liable in any event in connection with the affairs of the Trust, except as such liability may arise from a Trustee’s bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties. With the exceptions stated, the Trust Instrument provides that a Trustee or officer is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust.
The Trust will not hold an annual shareholders’ meeting unless required by law. There will normally be no annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which the election of Trustees by shareholders is not required by the 1940 Act. As set forth in the Trust’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, shareholders of the Trust have the right, under certain conditions, to call a special meeting of shareholders, including a meeting to consider removing a Trustee.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees are responsible for the management and supervision of the Funds. The Trustees approve all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and those companies that furnish services to the Funds; review performance of the Funds; and oversee activities of the Funds. This section of the SAI provides information about the persons who serve as Trustees and Officers to the Trust and Funds, respectively, as well as the entities that provide services to the Funds.
Trustees and Officers. Following are the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their year of birth and address, their present position with the Trust or the Funds and their principal occupation during the past five years. As described above under “Description of the Trust,” each of the Trustees of the Trust will generally hold office indefinitely. The Officers of the Trust will hold office indefinitely, except that: (1) any Officer may resign or retire and (2) any Officer may be removed any time by written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal. In case a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees shall for any reason exist, the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) by virtue of their affiliation with either the Trust or the Adviser, are indicated in the table.
|
Name, Address* |
Position(s) |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number |
Other |
|
Independent Trustees |
|||||
|
Arthur Q. Falk 1937
|
Trustee |
Since 2011 |
Retired. |
6 |
None |
|
Tom M. Wirtshafter 1954 |
Trustee |
Since 2011 |
Senior Vice President, American Portfolios Financial Services, (broker-dealer), American Portfolios Advisors (investment adviser) (2009-Present). |
6 |
None |
24
|
Name, Address* |
Position(s) |
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number |
Other |
|
Gary W. DiCenzo 1962 |
Trustee and Independent Chairman |
Since 2014 Since 2019 |
Partner, Cognios Capital (investment management firm) (2015-2020), Chief Executive Officer, (2015-2019); President and CEO, IMC Group, LLC (asset management firm consultant) (2010-2015). |
6 |
None |
|
Steven D. Poppen 1968 |
Trustee |
Since 2018 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Vikings (professional sports organization) (1999-present). |
6 |
M3Sixty Funds Trust (1 portfolio) (2015 – present) |
|
Thomas J. Schmidt 1963 |
Trustee |
Since 2018 |
Principal, Tom Schmidt & Associates Consulting, LLC (2015-Present). |
6 |
None |
|
Interested Trustee** |
|||||
|
Randall K. Linscott 1971 |
Trustee and President |
Since 2013 |
Chief Executive Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2013 – present); Chief Operating Officer, M3Sixty Administration LLC (2011-2013); Division Vice President, Boston Financial Data Services, (2005-2011). |
6 |
M3Sixty Funds Trust (1 portfolio) (2015 – present) |
|
Officers |
|||||
|
Richard Yates 1965 |
Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
Since 2021 |
Of Counsel, McElroy Deutsch (2020–present); Head of Compliance, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2021–present); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2021–present); Founder, The Yates Law Firm (2018–2020); Chief Legal Officer, Manning & Napier, Inc. (2000–2018). |
N/A |
N/A |
25
Name, Address* |
Position(s) |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number |
Other |
|
Larry E. Beaver, Jr. 1969 |
Treasurer |
Since 2021 |
Fund Accounting, Administration and Tax Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2017-Present); Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2005-2017); Assistant Treasurer, 360 Funds (2017-2021); Chief Accounting Officer, Amidex Funds, Inc. (2003-2020); Assistant Treasurer, Capital Management Investment Trust (July 2017-July 2018); Assistant Treasurer, M3Sixty Funds Trust (July 2017-Present; Assistant Treasurer, WP Funds Trust (2017-2021); Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Capital Management Investment Trust (2008-July 2017); Treasurer, 360 Funds Trust (2007-2017); Treasurer, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2015-July 2017); Treasurer, WP Trust (2015- 2017); Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Monteagle Funds (2008-2016). |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Stephen R. Roberts 1953 |
Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Officer
|
Since 2021 |
CCO of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (since 2017); Chief Compliance Officer, WP Trust (2018 - 2021); Compliance Analyst, State Street (2016 - 2017). |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Bo J. Howell 1981 |
Assistant Secretary |
Since 2020 |
Shareholder, Strauss Troy Co., LPA (2020-Present); CEO of Joot (2018-present); Partner, Practus LLP (2018-2020); Director of Fund Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2014-2018) |
N/A |
CCO Technology, LLC (d/b/a Joot) (since 2020) |
* The address of each Trustee and officer is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.
** Mr. Linscott is an Interested Trustee because he is Chief Executive Officer and principal owner of M3Sixty Administration, LLC, the Funds’ administrator and transfer agent.
Board Structure. The Trust’s Board of Trustees includes five independent Trustees and one interested Trustee, Mr. Linscott. Mr. Falk, one of the Trust’s independent trustees, serves as the Chairman of the Board. The Trustees have determined that the Trust’s current leadership structure is appropriate, as it allows Trust management to communicate with each independent Trustee as and when needed and permits each independent Trustee to be involved in each committee of the Board (each a “Committee”) as well as each Board function. With respect to risk oversight, the Board holds four regular meetings each year to consider and address matters involving the Trust and the Funds. During these meetings, the Board receives reports from the Funds’ administrator, transfer agent and distributor and Trust management, including the Trust’s President, Mr. Linscott, and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, Mr. Yates, on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with the Trust’s officers to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Board has established a committee structure that includes an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Proxy Voting Committee (discussed in more detail below). Each of these Committees is comprised entirely of independent Trustees.
26
Qualification of Trustees. The Board has considered each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in light of the Board’s function and the Trust’s business and structure, and has determined that each Trustee possesses experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that enable the Trustee to be an effective member of the Board. In this regard, the Board has considered the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills for each Trustee:
|
Arthur Q. Falk |
For over 20 years, Mr. Falk was the President of Murray Hill Financial Marketing, a financial marketing consulting firm and now is retired. Murray Hill provides consulting services on the development of mutual funds and similar investment products. |
|
|
|
|
Tom M. Wirtshafter |
Mr. Wirtshafter has more than 30 years’ experience managing and operating a wide range of financial services companies, and is currently a Senior Vice President at American Portfolios Financial Services, a broker-dealer, and American Portfolios Advisors, an investment adviser. |
|
|
|
|
Gary W. DiCenzo |
Prior to December 2019, Mr. DiCenzo responsible for the overall operation and strategic direction of Cognios Capital. Prior to joining Cognios in 2015, Mr. DiCenzo was President & CEO of Chicago based strategic consulting firm IMC Group. Mr. DiCenzo also led Scout Investment Advisors as President of the Scout Mutual Fund complex, the President & CEO of Scout Distributors and as a board director to the advisor from 2003-2010. Over the past 25 years, he has focused on the strategic planning and growth for both institutional and mutual fund investment managers. Mr. DiCenzo received an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Rhode Island College. |
|
|
|
|
Steven D. Poppen |
Mr. Poppen is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Minnesota Vikings professional football team. In his role, Mr. Poppen is responsible for all financial aspects of the team, including business planning, budgeting, day-to-day financial and administrative operations, human resources, facilities, and U.S. Bank Stadium project financing. Prior to joining the Vikings’ organization, Mr. Poppen was a Certified Public Accountant in the business assurance group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Poppen currently is a member of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity board of directors and previously held board of director positions with a number of nonprofit organizations. |
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. Schmidt |
Mr. Schmidt has more than 30 years’ experience managing and operating financial services companies and is currently Principal of Tom Schmidt & Associates Consulting, LLC. Prior to this, he served as Vice President of the Mutual Fund an Alternative Investment Full Service Transfer Agent. |
|
|
|
|
Randall K. Linscott |
Mr. Linscott has over 20 years’ experience with a wide range of financial services companies, including service at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, an international public accounting firm, as well as Boston Financial Data Services, a transfer agency, prior to his role at M3Sixty Administration, LLC and with the Trust. |
27
The Board has determined that each of the Trustees’ careers and background, combined with their interpersonal skills and general understanding of financial and other matters, enable the Trustees to effectively participate in and contribute to the Board’s functions and oversight of the Trust. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Trustee Standing Committees. The Trustees have established the following standing committees:
Audit Committee. All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Funds’ accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Funds’ financial statements, and interacts with the Funds’ independent registered public accountants on behalf of all the Trustees. The Audit Committee also serves as the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter and meets periodically as necessary. The Audit Committee met four times in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter included as Appendix B. This charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets only as necessary and did not meet during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
Proxy Voting Committee. All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee will determine how the Funds should cast its vote, if called upon by the Board or the Adviser, when a matter with respect to which a Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Funds’ Adviser, principal underwriter or an affiliated person of a Fund, its investment adviser, or principal underwriter, on the other hand. The Proxy Voting Committee will also review the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy and recommend any changes to the Board as it deems necessary or advisable. The Proxy Voting Committee meets only as necessary and did not meet during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
Fair Value Committee. In addition to the foregoing Committees established by the Board, the Trust has also established a Fair Value Committee. A representative of the adviser/sub-adviser (as applicable) and Messrs. Falk, DiCenzo, Schmidt, Beaver, and Yates are members of the Fair Value Committee. Mr. Yates (or his designee) serves in an advisory role and is a non-voting member of the Fair Value Committee. The Fair Value Committee oversees the valuation of restricted securities and any other security that may be purchased for the Trust’s portfolio for which a readily available market quotation is not available and implements guidelines and instructions adopted by the Board regarding the valuation of restricted securities held by the Funds focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of relevant information. The Fair Value Committee reviews relevant market conditions for any restricted security held by a Fund on a daily basis to determine the appropriate value for such restricted security. The Fair Value Committee met 3 times with respect to the Funds in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
28
Beneficial Equity Ownership Information. The table below shows for each Trustee the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund complex, as of a valuation date of December 31, 2020 and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = 10,001-$50,000; D - $50,001-100,000; and E = over $100,000.
|
Name of Director |
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in |
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
Independent Trustees |
|||
|
Arthur Q. Falk |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
|
Tom M. Wirtshafter |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
|
Gary W. DiCenzo |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
|
Steven D. Poppen |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
|
Thomas J. Schmidt |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
|
Interested Trustee |
|||
|
Randall K. Linscott |
Value Fund Income Fund
|
A |
A |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. As of October 4, 2021, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned beneficially (i.e., directly or indirectly had voting and/or investment power) less than 1% of the then outstanding shares of a Fund.
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the respective Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to a Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the investment advisory agreement. As of October 4, 2021, the following persons were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or more of the shares of the respective Fund.
29
Value Fund
Institutional Class shares
Name and Address of Principal Holder |
Percentage Owned of Record |
|
|
|
|
NFS LLC 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281
|
35.49% |
|
TD Ameritrade Inc. For the Exclusive Benefit of our Clients PO Box 2226 Omaha, NE 68103 |
40.29% |
Income Fund
Institutional Class shares
Name and Address of Principal Holder |
Percentage Owned of Record |
|
|
|
|
NFS LLC 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281
|
34.11% |
|
TD Ameritrade Inc. For the Exclusive Benefit of our Clients PO Box 2226 Omaha, NE 68103 |
57.16% |
Compensation. Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Trust or the Adviser will receive no salary or fees from the Trust. Officers of the Trust and interested Trustees do receive compensation directly from certain service providers to the Trust, including Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and M3Sixty Administration LLC. Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” receives a fee of $5,000 each year, plus a fee of $1,500 per Fund each year, and $200 per Fund per Board or committee meeting attended. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer for his or her travel and other expenses relating to attendance at such meetings.
Name of Trustee* |
Aggregate |
Pension or |
Estimated |
Total |
|
Independent Trustees |
||||
|
Arthur Q. Falk |
$7,503 |
None |
None |
$25,700 |
|
Tom M. Wirtshafter |
$6,903 |
None |
None |
$22,900 |
|
Gary W. DiCenzo |
$7,503 |
None |
None |
$25,700 |
|
Steven D. Poppen |
$6,903 |
None |
None |
$22,900 |
|
Thomas J. Schmidt |
$7,503 |
None |
None |
$25,700 |
|
Interested Trustee |
||||
|
Randall K. Linscott |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| * | Figures are for the period ended June 30, 2021. |
| ** | Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee to the 6 funds of the Trust. |
30
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Investment Adviser. IMS Capital Management, Inc. serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser’s principal office is located 8995 S.E. Otty Road, Portland, Oregon 97086. Information about the Adviser and its duties and compensation as Adviser is contained in the Prospectus. The Adviser is an Oregon corporation and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
The Adviser supervises the Funds’ investments pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Advisory Agreement is effective for an initial two-year period and will be renewed thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees or by vote of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party.
The Adviser manages the operations of the Funds and manages the Funds’ investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Funds, subject to the approval of the Trustees.
Under the Funds’ Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of such Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services; or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties; or from its reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
Carl W. Marker, Founder, is the Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser and may be deemed a controlling person of the Adviser due to his ownership of the shares of the corporation.
The Adviser will receive a monthly management fee equal to an annual rate of each Fund’s net assets for Institutional Class shares as follows:
|
Value Fund |
1.21% |
|
Income Fund |
1.26% |
In addition, the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Funds have entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement under which the Adviser has agreed to waive or reduce its fees and to assume other expenses of each of the Funds, if necessary, in an amount that limits annual operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, acquired fund fees and expenses, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund’s business, interest and dividend expense on securities sold short, and amounts, if any payable pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act) to not more than the following average daily net assets of each of the Funds through October 31, 2022:
|
Value Fund |
1.95% |
|
Income Fund |
1.95% |
As a result, the Funds’ “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” (subject to the foregoing exclusions) will be limited as indicated in the Prospectus. It is expected that the contractual agreement will continue from year-to-year provided such continuance is approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
31
In addition to the management fee described above, the Adviser may also receive certain benefits from its management of a Fund in the form of brokerage or research services received from brokers under arrangements under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act and the terms of each Fund’s Advisory Agreement. For a description of these potential benefits, see the description under “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation -- Brokerage Selection.”
The following tables describe the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Funds for the last three fiscal years.
Value Fund
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
Advisory Fees Accrued |
Total Fees Reimbursed |
Net Advisory Fees Paid |
|
June 30, 2019 |
$ 378,285 |
$ 0 |
$ 378,285 |
|
June 30, 2020 |
$ 357,634 |
$ 0 |
$ 357,634 |
|
June 30, 2021 |
$ 450,449 |
$ 0 |
$ 450,449 |
Income Fund
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
Advisory Fees Accrued |
Total Fees Reimbursed |
Net Advisory Fees Paid |
|
June 30, 2019 |
$ 50,479 |
$ (81,754) |
$ (31,275) |
|
June 30, 2020 |
$ 99,588 |
$ (115,540) |
$ (15,952) |
|
June 30, 2021 |
$ 168,177 |
$ (91,367) |
$ 76,810 |
Portfolio Managers. Carl W. Marker is the lead portfolio manager responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. Mr. Marker is compensated through salary, bonus and equity ownership of the Adviser. Mr. Marker’s compensation consists of a fixed base salary and a discretionary bonus based on the quality of each of their research contributions, and each of their overall contributions to the firm’s success. In addition, Mr. Marker participates in the Adviser’s profit sharing plan. Such arrangement provides incentive for Mr. Marker to increase revenue through asset gathering, asset retention, preservation and growth of capital, and through the production of excellent research and decision making.
As of June 30, 2021, Mr. Marker managed assets in a number of other accounts as listed in the table below.
|
Portfolio Manager |
Type of Accounts |
Total |
Total |
Number of |
Total Assets |
|
Carl W. Marker |
Registered Investment Companies |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
|
|
Other Accounts |
81 |
$57,981,506 |
0 |
$0 |
32
Ownership of Securities. The table below shows the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of June 30, 2021 stated as one of the following 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; and G = over $1,000,000.
|
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of |
Dollar Range of |
|
Carl W. Marker |
E |
A |
Conflicts of Interest. The Adviser’s management of accounts other than the Funds may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with its management of the Funds’ investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts (the “Other Accounts”), on the other. The Other Accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Funds, track the same indices a Fund tracks or otherwise hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased, or sold by the Fund. While the portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to the following potential conflicts of interest, the Adviser does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, the Adviser believes that it has designed policies and procedures that are designed to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.
Knowledge of the Timing and Size of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers’ day-to-day management of the Funds. The portfolio managers know the size and timing of trades for the Funds and the Other Accounts, and may be able to predict the market impact of Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of Other Accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Funds, or vice versa.
Investment Opportunities. The Adviser may provide investment supervisory services for a number of investment accounts that have varying investment guidelines. Differences in the compensation structures of the Adviser’s various accounts may give rise to a conflict of interest by creating an incentive for the Adviser to allocate the investment opportunities it believes might be the most profitable to the client accounts that may benefit the most from the investment gains.”
Administrator. M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”), with principal offices at 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205, provides accounting, administrative, transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency, and shareholder servicing agency services for the Trust pursuant to an Investment Company Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”). Under the Services Agreement, M3Sixty is responsible for a wide variety of functions, including but not limited to: (a) Fund accounting services; (b) financial statement preparation; (c) valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities; (d) pricing the Fund’s shares; (e) assistance in preparing tax returns; (f) preparation and filing of required regulatory reports; (g) communications with shareholders; (h) coordination of Board and shareholder meetings; (i) monitoring the Fund’s legal compliance; and (j) maintaining shareholder account records.
The following table describes the administration fees paid to M3Sixty for the last three fiscal years:
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
Value Fund |
Income Fund |
|
June 30, 2019 |
$99,512 |
$47,860 |
|
June 30, 2020 |
$97,928 |
$89,678 |
|
June 30, 2021 |
$128,276 |
$104,779 |
33
M3Sixty also agreed to waive certain fees until certain conditions were met. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, M3Sixty waived $0 for the Value Fund and $31,333 for the Income Fund.
Effective May 1, 2021, the Funds entered into a CCO Service Agreement with M3Sixty to provide Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) services to the Funds. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, each Fund paid M3Sixty $1,250 for CCO services.
Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are also employees of M3Sixty.
Distributor. Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter of the Funds’ shares for the purpose of facilitating the registration of shares of the Funds under state securities laws and to assist in sales of Fund shares pursuant to a distribution agreement approved by the Trustees. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and maintains, at its own expense, its qualification as a broker-dealer under all applicable federal or state laws in those states which the Funds shall from time to time identify to the Distributor as states in which it wishes to offer its shares for sale, in order that state registrations may be maintained for the Funds. Shares of the Funds are sold on a continuous basis. The distribution agreement requires the Distributor to use all reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of the Funds’ shares. However, the Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific number of shares and will only sell shares for orders it receives. The distribution agreement with the Distributor provides that the Distributor will receive an annual fee of $12,000, plus an annualized amount of 0.0225% of the average assets of each Fund. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, there were no payments made to the Distributor by the Funds. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, there were no payments made to the Distributor by the Funds. During the fiscal year June 30, 2019, there were no payments made to the Distributor by the Funds.
Custodian. Huntington National Bank serves as custodian for the Funds’ assets. The Custodian acts as the depository for the Funds, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect to portfolio securities, disburses monies at the Funds’ request and maintains records in connection with its duties as Custodian. For its services as Custodian, the Custodian is entitled to receive from the Funds an annual fee based on the average net assets of the Funds held by the Custodian plus additional out of pocket and transaction expenses incurred by the Funds.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the Trustees selected the firm of BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 to serve as independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds and to audit the annual financial statements of the Funds, prepare the Funds’ tax returns, including but not limited to the Funds’ federal, state and excise taxes, and consult with the Funds on matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation.
The independent registered public accounting firm will audit the financial statements of the Funds at least once each year. Shareholders will receive annual audited and semi-annual (unaudited) reports when published and written confirmation of all transactions in their account. A copy of the most recent Annual Report will accompany the SAI whenever a shareholder or a prospective investor requests it.
Legal Counsel. Strauss Troy Co., LPA, Federal Reserve Building, 150 E. 4th Street, 4th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics, as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Funds (which may also be held by persons subject to a code). Each code permits the applicable entity’s employees and officers to invest in securities, subject to certain restrictions and pre-approval requirements. In addition, the Trust’s and the Adviser’s codes require that portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Adviser report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the code of ethics.
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PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Trust has adopted a proxy voting and disclosure policy that delegates to the Adviser the authority to vote proxies for the Funds, subject to oversight of the Trustees. Copies of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy are included as Appendix A to this SAI.
Each year the Funds are required to file Form N-PX stating how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, within 60 days after the end of such period. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies as set forth in its most recent filing of Form N-PX will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (877) 244-6235 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Purchases. Reference is made to “Purchasing Shares” in the Prospectus for more information concerning how to purchase shares. Specifically, potential investors should refer to the Prospectus for information regarding purchasing shares by mail or bank wire, and for information regarding telephone orders. Potential investors should also refer to the Prospectus for information regarding the Funds’ Institutional shares, and their respective fees and expenses. The Prospectus also describes the Funds’ automatic investment plan and certain rights reserved by the Funds with respect to orders for Fund shares. The following information supplements the information regarding share purchases in the Prospectus:
Pricing of Orders. Shares of the Funds will be offered and sold on a continuous basis. The purchase price of shares of a Fund is based on the net asset value next determined after the order is received, subject to the order being accepted by the Fund in good form. Net asset value is normally determined at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, as described under “Net Asset Value” below.
Regular Accounts. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans and others, investors are free to make additions and withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish. When an investor makes an initial investment in a Fund, a shareholder account is opened in accordance with the investor’s registration instructions. Each time there is a transaction in a shareholder account, such as an additional investment or the reinvestment of a dividend or distribution, the shareholder will receive a confirmation statement showing the current transaction and all prior transactions in the shareholder account during the calendar year to date, along with a summary of the status of the account as of the transaction date.
Purchases in Kind. A Fund may accept securities in lieu of cash in payment for the purchase of shares in the Fund. The acceptance of such securities is at the sole discretion of the Adviser based upon the suitability of the securities accepted for inclusion as a long-term investment of a Fund, the marketability of such securities, and other factors that the Adviser may deem appropriate. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods as described in “Investing in the Fund - Determining the Fund’s Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus.
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Share Certificates. The Funds normally do not issue stock certificates. Evidence of ownership of shares is provided through entry in the Funds’ share registry. Investors will receive periodic account statements (and, where applicable, purchase confirmations) that will show the number of shares owned.
Redemptions. Reference is made to “Redeeming Shares” in the Prospectus for more information concerning how to redeem shares. Specifically, investors wishing to redeem shares in the Funds should refer to the Prospectus for information regarding redeeming shares by mail, telephone/fax or bank wire. The Prospectus also describes the Funds’ policy regarding accounts that fall below a Fund’s required minimums, redemptions in kind, signature guarantees and other information about a Fund’s redemption policies. The following information supplements the information regarding share redemptions in the Prospectus:
Suspension of Redemption Privileges and Postponement of Payment. A Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment (i) during any period that the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or that trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; (ii) during any period when an emergency exists as defined by the rules of the SEC as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or to determine fairly the value of its assets; and (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit. A Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions. Any redemption may be more or less than the shareholder’s cost depending on the market value of the securities held by a Fund. No charge is made by a Fund for redemptions other than the redemptions of shares held for less than 90 days and possible charge for wiring redemption proceeds.
Involuntary Redemptions. In addition to the situations described in the Prospectus under “Redeeming Shares,” a Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse a Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder which is applicable to Fund shares as provided in the Prospectus from time to time.
Additional Information. Following is additional information regarding certain services and features related to purchases, redemptions and distribution of Fund shares. Investors who have questions about any of this information should call the Funds at (877) 244-6235.
Transfer of Registration. To transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to the Funds at 360 Funds, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205. Your request should include the following: (1) the Fund name and existing account registration; (2) signature(s) of the registered owner(s) exactly as the signature(s) appear(s) on the account registration; (3) the new account registration, address, social security or taxpayer identification number, and how dividends and capital gains are to be distributed; (4) signature guarantees (See the Prospectus under the heading “Redeeming Shares - Signature Guarantees”); and (5) any additional documents which are required for transfer by corporations, administrators, executors, trustees, guardians, etc. If you have any questions about transferring shares, call or write the Funds.
Mailing Shareholder Communications. Accounts having the same mailing address may consent in writing to sharing a single mailing of shareholder reports, proxy statements (but each such shareholder would receive his/her own proxy) and other Fund literature.
Dealers. The Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation in addition to dealer discounts and brokerage commissions to dealers in connection with sales of shares of a Fund. Compensation may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising campaigns regarding a Fund, and/or other dealer-sponsored special events, to the extent permitted under applicable law and the rules and regulations of the FINRA. None of the aforementioned compensation is paid directly by a Fund or its shareholders although the Distributor may use a portion of the payment it receives under the Distribution Plan to pay these expenses.
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Additional Information About Redemptions. The right to redeem shares of a Fund can be suspended and the payment of the redemption price deferred when the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings), during periods when trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC, or during any emergency as determined by the SEC which makes it impracticable for a Fund to dispose of its securities or value its assets, or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for the protection of investors.
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Trust reserves the right to redeem accounts with balances of less than $1,000.00. Prior to such a redemption, shareholders will be given 60 days’ written notice to make an additional purchase. However, no such redemption would be required by the Trust if the cause of the low account balance was a reduction in the net asset value of shares. No redemption fee will be imposed with respect to such involuntary redemptions.
The Funds do not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem shares by payment in kind. It is possible, however, that conditions may arise in the future that would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for a Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such a case, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of a Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving them would incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value and net asset value per share of a Fund normally is determined at the time regular trading closes on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time, Monday through Friday), except on business holidays when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE recognizes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Any other holiday recognized by the NYSE will be considered a business holiday on which the net asset value of shares of a Fund will not be calculated.
In computing a Fund’s net asset value, all liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from its net assets. The resulting net assets are divided by the number of shares of a Fund outstanding at the time of the valuation and the result is the net asset value per share of a Fund.
The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by, and under the direction of, the Trustees. Values are determined according to accepted accounting practices and all laws and regulations that apply. Using methods approved by the Trustees, the assets of a Fund are valued as follows:
● Securities that are listed on a securities exchange are valued at the last quoted sales price at the time the valuation is made. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded by a Fund.
● Securities that are listed on an exchange and which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the bid price. Options held by a fund for which no current quotations are readily available and which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean price.
● Unlisted securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest quoted sales price, if available, at the time of valuation, otherwise, at the latest quoted bid price.
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● Temporary cash investments with maturities of 60 days or less will be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
● Securities for which no current quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trustees. Securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
● Securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.
Subject to the provisions of the Trust Instrument, determinations by the Trustees as to the direct and allocable liabilities of a Fund and the allocable portion of any general assets are conclusive. As described in the Prospectus, the Adviser is responsible for notifying the Trustees or the Trust’s Fair Value Committee when it believes that fair value pricing is required for a particular security. The Trust has adopted Fair Value Pricing procedures and instructions that apply to investments by a Fund in restricted securities and warrants (“Restricted Securities”). A description of these procedures and instructions is included in the Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. As explained in the Prospectus, because a Fund’s fair valuing of Restricted Securities is a determination of the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale, a Fund is subject to the risk that a Fund’s fair valued prices are not accurate, and that the fair value price is not reflective of the value a Fund will receive upon a sale of the security.
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ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION
The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Funds and their shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in a Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Funds.
In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor. Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Funds are held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.
A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of a Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents); |
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a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of a Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of a Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding a Fund’s shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.
Taxation as a RIC. Each Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). Each Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, a Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership.” A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by a Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.
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If a RIC fails this 90% source-of-income test it is no longer subject to a 21% penalty as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.
With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, a Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or 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 is invested in the securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
If a RIC fails this asset-diversification test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is “de minimis,” meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RIC’s assets, or $10 million.
Similarly, if a RIC fails this asset-diversification test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure failure if: (a) the RIC files with the Treasury Department a description of each asset that causes the RIC to fail the diversification tests; (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (c) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the Treasury). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (a) $50,000 or (b) an amount determined by multiplying the highest rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of diversification test failure by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the diversification test.
If a Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%). Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.
Each Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. Each Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, do not expect to be subject to this excise tax.
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A Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.
To the extent that a Fund has capital loss carryforwards from prior tax years, those carryforwards will reduce the net capital gains that can support the Fund’s distribution of Capital Gain Dividends. If a Fund uses net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), those carryforwards will not reduce the Fund’s current earnings and profits, as losses incurred in later years will. As a result, if the Fund then makes distributions of capital gains recognized during the current year in excess of net capital gains (as reduced by carryforwards), the portion of the excess equal to pre-2011 losses factoring into net capital gain will be taxable as an ordinary dividend distribution, even though that distributed excess amount would not have been subject to tax if retained by the Fund. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains.
A RIC is generally permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). For net capital losses recognized prior to such date, such losses are permitted to be carried forward up to 8 years and are characterized as short-term. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of the Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.
Gain or loss realized by a Fund from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by the Fund as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long the Fund held a particular warrant. Upon the exercise of a warrant acquired by a Fund, the Fund’s tax basis in the stock purchased under the warrant will equal the sum of the amount paid for the warrant plus the strike price paid on the exercise of the warrant. Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that a Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If a Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to a Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.
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Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by a Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 will instead serve this notice purpose.
As a RIC, each Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders’ AMT liabilities. Each Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction.
For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If a Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by a Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
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Each Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, a Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.
Sales and other dispositions of the shares of a Fund generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisor with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, currently a maximum of 21%, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.
Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.
Each Fund selected the Average Cost method as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. A Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than a Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.
For those securities defined as “covered” under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, a Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. A Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” Each Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
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For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in a Fund.
Pay-In-Kind Securities. Payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies. A passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) is any foreign corporation: (i) 75% or more of the gross income of which for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons.
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Equity investments by a Fund in certain PFICs could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge (including interest charges) on the distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, if the Fund is in a position to and elects to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF election”), the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. Alternatively, the Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its PFIC holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”
Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.
Foreign Taxation. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund does not expect to be eligible to pass through to shareholders a credit or deduction for such taxes.
Foreign Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (such shareholder, a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.
A regulated investment company generally is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the regulated investment company (“short-term capital gain dividends”). If the Fund invests in an underlying fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign persons.
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Each Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of the Fund that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.
In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
Under U.S. federal tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).
Special rules would apply if a Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.
If a Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, this “look-through” USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above, to foreign shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.
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In addition, if a Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
Whether or not a Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Funds do not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holder’s conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that beneficial holder in the United States.
To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
A beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above.
Backup Withholding. A Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938.
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Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”) made after December 31, 2012. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.
The IRS has issued only very preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by the Fund after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends and interest-related dividends, as described above) will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholders’ direct and indirect owners, as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.
Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.
Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.
Securities Lending. While securities are loaned out by a Fund, the Fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 70% dividends received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.
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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this SAI is being prepared, the coronavirus and COVID-19 are affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will be made or what the changes might entail.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Annual Reports for the Funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 have been filed with the SEC. The financial statements contained in the Annual Reports are incorporated by reference into this SAI. The financial statements and financial highlights for the Funds included in the Annual Reports have been audited by the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, BBD, LLP, whose reports thereon also appear in such Annual Reports and are also incorporated herein by reference. No other parts of the Annual Reports are incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements in such Annual Reports have been incorporated herein in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
You can receive free copies of reports, request other information and discuss your questions about the Funds directly at:
360 FUNDS
c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100
Fairway, Kansas 66205
Telephone: (877) 244-6235
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APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The following proxy voting policies are provided:
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(1) |
the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; and |
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(2) |
the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy. |
(1) PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE 360 FUNDS
The Trust has adopted a Proxy Voting Policy used to determine how the Funds vote proxies relating to their portfolio securities. Under the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy, each Fund has, subject to the oversight of the Trust’s Board, delegated to the Advisers the following duties: (i) to make the proxy voting decisions for the Funds, subject to the exceptions described below; and (ii) to assist the Funds in disclosing their respective proxy voting record as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act.
In cases where a matter with respect to which a Fund was entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of a Fund’s shareholders on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of the Fund, its investment adviser, or principal underwriter on the other hand, the Fund shall always vote in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. For purposes of this Policy a vote shall be considered in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders when a vote is cast consistent with a specific voting policy as set forth in the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy (described below), provided such specific voting policy was approved by the Board.
The Fund CCO shall ensure that each Adviser has adopted a Proxy Voting Policy, which it uses to vote proxies for its clients, including the Funds.
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A. |
General |
The Trust and the Funds believe that the voting of proxies is an important part of portfolio management as it represents an opportunity for shareholders to make their voices heard and to influence the direction of a company. The Trust and the Funds are committed to voting corporate proxies in the manner that best serves the interests of the Funds’ shareholders.
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B. |
Delegation to the Adviser |
The Trust believes that the Advisers are in the best position to make individual voting decisions for the Funds consistent with this Policy. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, the Advisers are hereby delegated the following duties:
(1) to make the proxy voting decisions for the Funds, in accordance with each applicable Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy, except as provided herein; and
(2) to assist the Funds in disclosing their respective proxy voting record as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, including providing the following information for each matter with respect to which the Funds are entitled to vote: (a) information identifying the matter voted on; (b) whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; (c) whether and how the Fund casts its vote; and (d) whether the Fund casts its vote for or against management.
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The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees of the Board, must approve each Adviser’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (the “Adviser Voting Policy”) as it relates to the Funds. The Board must also approve any material changes to each Adviser Voting Policy no later than six (6) months after adoption by an Adviser.
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C. |
Conflicts |
In cases where a matter with respect to which a Fund was entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of the Fund’s shareholders on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of the Fund, its investment adviser, or principal underwriter on the other hand, the Fund shall always vote in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. For purposes of this Policy a vote shall be considered in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders when a vote is cast consistent with the specific voting policy as set forth in the Adviser Voting Policy, provided such specific voting policy was approved by the Board.
(2) PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER
IMS Capital Management, Inc.
PROXY VOTING POLICY
As amended September 30, 2017
It is the intent of IMS Capital Management, Inc. (“IMS Capital”) to vote proxies in the best interests of the firm’s clients. In order to facilitate this proxy voting process, IMS Capital receives proxy voting and corporate governance advice from Glass Lewis & Company (“Glass Lewis”) to assist in the due diligence process related to making appropriate proxy voting decisions related to client accounts. Corporate actions are monitored by IMS Capital’s operations and research staff through information received from Glass Lewis regarding upcoming issues.
Clients with separately managed accounts may request a copy of this policy or reports detailing how proxies relating to their securities were voted by contacting the adviser directly. Investors in the IMS Family of Funds (individually “Fund” or collectively “Funds”) may request a copy of this policy or the Fund’s proxy voting record upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund at 1-503-788-4200, by reviewing the Fund’s website, if applicable, or by reviewing filings available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
GLASS LEWIS
Glass Lewis is an independent investment adviser that specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary level proxy related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors.
IMS Capital has also appointed a group of senior level employees to act as a Proxy Committee (“Proxy Committee”). In those circumstances where the Portfolio Manager or Analyst who covers a security for IMS Capital determines that they wish to vote contrary to Glass Lewis’ recommendations, the Proxy Committee reviews the issue and makes the final decision regarding how shares will be voted. In evaluating issues, the Proxy Committee may consider information from Glass Lewis, the Analyst/Portfolio Manager, the management of the subject company, and shareholder groups.
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As stated above, the Proxy Committee reviews all of those issues where IMS Capital’s internal research staff believes that proxies should be voted contrary to Glass Lewis guidelines. The Proxy Committee’s review is intended to determine if a material conflict of interest exists that should be considered in the vote decision. The Proxy Committee examines business, personal and familial relationships with the subject company and/or interested parties. If a conflict of interest is believed to exist, the Proxy Committee will direct that the proxy issue must be voted with Glass Lewis’ recommendation or may request that the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee, which is made up of independent trustees, make a recommendation. If Glass Lewis is unable to make a recommendation, then IMS Capital’s internal Proxy Committee will direct the voting of such shares.
VOTING PROCEDURES
IMS Capital utilizes Broadridge, an outside voting agent service, to cast and record all client votes, and Glass Lewis to provide independent advice on corporate governance, proxy and corporate responsibility issues.
When a new account is opened where IMS Capital is responsible for voting proxies, a letter is sent to Broadridge informing them that they will act as our proxy voting agent for that account. IMS Capital notifies Broadridge and provides periodic holdings file on each account, which is uploaded into Broadridge’s proprietary software.
The voting decisions are forwarded to IMS Capital’s Proxy Administrator for voting through Broadridge’s interactive web voting feature.
IMS Capital may enter into client agreements that govern the manner in which IMS Capital votes proxies on behalf of its clients. These agreements may provide that the client has retained discretion with respect to proxies or has delegated discretion to another party. In such cases, the terms of these agreements will govern the manner in which IMS Capital treats proxies related to these client accounts.
IMS Capital votes most proxies for clients where voting authority has been given to the adviser by the client. However, in some circumstances the adviser may decide not to vote some proxies if they determine that voting such proxies is not in the client’s best interests. For example: the adviser may choose not to vote routine matters if shares would need to be recalled in a stock loan program. IMS Capital will not vote proxies for legacy securities held in a new client account previously managed by another manager that the adviser intends to sell, proxies for securities held in an unsupervised portion of a client’s account, proxies that are subject to blocking restrictions, proxies that require the adviser to travel overseas in order to vote, or, proxies that are written in a language other than English.
RECORD RETENTION
IMS Capital retains records relating to proxy voting policies and procedures, proxy statements received for client securities (the adviser may rely on filings made on Edgar or its voting service to maintain this record), records of votes cast on behalf of clients, records of client requests for proxy voting information, documents prepared by the adviser that were material to making a proxy voting decision or memorialized the basis for the decisions. All such records will be maintained as required by applicable laws and regulations.
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VOTING GUIDELINES
The current Glass Lewis Proxy Research Guidelines provide general voting parameters on various types of issues when there are no extenuating circumstances. Investors in the Funds may request a copy of the current Glass Lewis Proxy Research Guidelines by calling the Fund at 1-503-788-4200. As discussed above, in the vast majority of circumstances, proxy issues will be voted in accordance with Glass Lewis recommendations.
IMS Capital reserves the right to amend and revise this policy without notice at any time.
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines are designed to maximize returns for investment managers by voting in a manner consistent with such managers’ active investment decision-making. The guidelines are designed to increase investor’s potential financial gain through the use of the shareholder vote while also allowing management and the board discretion to direct the operations, including governance and compensation, of the firm.
The guidelines will ensure that all issues brought to shareholders are analyzed in light of the fiduciary responsibilities unique to investment advisers and investment companies on behalf of individual investor clients including mutual fund shareholders. The guidelines will encourage the maximization of return for such clients through identifying and avoiding financial, audit and corporate governance risks.
Management Proposals
Election of Directors
In analyzing directors and boards, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines generally support the election of incumbent directors except when a majority of the company’s directors are not independent or where directors fail to attend at least 75% of board and committee meetings. In a contested election, we will apply the standard Glass Lewis recommendation.
Auditor
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will generally support auditor ratification except when the non-audit fees exceed the audit fees paid to the auditor.
Compensation
Glass Lewis recognizes the importance in designing appropriate executive compensation plans that truly reward pay for performance. We evaluate equity compensation plans based upon their specific features and will vote against plans than would result in total overhang greater than 20% or that allow the repricing of options without shareholder approval.
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will follow the general Glass Lewis recommendation when voting on management advisory votes on compensation (“say-on-pay”) and on executive compensation arrangements in connection with merger transactions (i.e., golden parachutes). Further, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will follow the Glass Lewis recommendation when voting on the preferred frequency of advisory compensation votes.
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Authorized Shares
Having sufficient available authorized shares allows management to avail itself of rapidly developing opportunities as well as to effectively operate the business. However, we believe that for significant transactions management should seek shareholders’ approval to justify the use of additional shares. Therefore, shareholders should not approve the creation of a large pool of unallocated shares without some rational of the purpose of such shares. Accordingly, where we find that the company has not provided an appropriate plan for use of the proposed shares, or where the number of shares far exceeds those needed to accomplish a detailed plan, we typically vote against the authorization of additional shares. We also vote against the creation of or increase in (i) blank check preferred shares and (ii) dual or multiple class capitalizations.
Shareholder Rights
Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will generally support proposals increasing or enhancing shareholder rights such as declassifying the board, allowing shareholders to call a special meeting, eliminating supermajority voting and adopting majority voting for the election of directors. Similarly, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will generally vote against proposals to eliminate or reduce shareholder rights.
Mergers/Acquisitions
Glass Lewis undertakes a thorough examination of the economic implications of a proposed merger or acquisition to determine the transaction’s likelihood of maximizing shareholder return. We examine the process used to negotiate the transaction as well as the terms of the transaction in making our voting recommendation.
Shareholder Proposals
We review and vote on shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis. We recommend supporting shareholder proposals if the requested action would increase shareholder value, mitigate risk or enhance shareholder rights but generally recommend voting against those that would not ultimately impact performance.
Governance
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will support reasonable initiatives that seek to enhance shareholder rights, such as the introduction of majority voting to elect directors, elimination in/reduction of supermajority provisions, the declassification of the board and requiring the submission of shareholder rights’ plans to a shareholder vote. The guidelines generally support reasonable, well targeted proposals to allow increased shareholder participation at shareholder meetings through the ability to call special meetings and ability for shareholders to nominate director candidates to a company’s board of directors. However, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will vote against proposals to require separating the roles of CEO and chairman.
Compensation
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will generally oppose any shareholder proposals seeking to limit compensation in amount or design. However, the guidelines will vote for reasonable and properly-targeted shareholder initiatives such as to require shareholder approval to reprice options, to link pay with performance, to eliminate or require shareholder approval of golden coffins, to allow a shareholder vote on excessive golden parachutes (i.e., greater than 2.99 times annual compensation) and to claw back unearned bonuses. The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines will vote against requiring companies to allow shareholders an advisory compensation vote.
54
Environment
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines vote against proposals seeking to cease a certain practice or take certain action related to a company’s activities or operations with environmental. Further, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines generally vote against proposals regarding enhanced environment disclosure and reporting, including those seeking sustainability reporting and disclosure about company’s greenhouse gas emissions, as well as advocating compliance with international environmental conventions and adherence to environmental principles like those promulgated by Ceres. Ceres works to advance sustainability leadership among investors, companies and capital market influencers to drive solutions.
Social
The Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines generally oppose proposals requesting companies adhere to labor or worker treatment codes of conduct, such as those espoused by the International Labor Organization, relating to labor standards, human rights conventions and corporate responsibility at large conventions and principles. The guidelines will also vote against proposals seeking disclosure concerning the rights of workers, impact on local stakeholders, workers’ rights and human rights in general. Furthermore, the Glass Lewis Investment Manager Guidelines oppose increased reporting and review of a company’s political and charitable spending as well as its lobbying practices.
Policy Inquiries
This Proxy & Corporate Actions Voting Policies Notice is provided for your information and no action on your part is required.
Please direct your questions about this notice to:
IMS Capital Management, Inc. Funds c/o
M3Sixty Administration, LLC
4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100
Fairway, KS 66205
55
APPENDIX B – NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
360 Funds
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership
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1. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of 360 Funds (the “Trust”) shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees. |
Board Nominations and Functions
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1. |
The Committee shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustee have any affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule 12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers. See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board. |
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The Committee shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board of Trustees. |
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3. |
The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board. |
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4. |
The Committee shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the Independent Trustees as a group. |
Committee Nominations and Functions
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The Committee shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee assignments at least annually. |
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2. |
The Committee shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board. |
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Other Powers and Responsibilities
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The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust. |
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2. |
The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees. |
Adopted: October 25, 2017
APPENDIX A TO THE
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER
360 FUNDS
PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD
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I. |
Identification of Candidates. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated, and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation. |
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II. |
Shareholder Candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations. |
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III. |
Evaluation of Candidates. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates. |
57
PART C
FORM N-1A
OTHER INFORMATION
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ITEM 28. |
Exhibits |
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(a)(1) |
Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”).1
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(a)(2) |
Certificate of Amendment to the Trust Instrument.4
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(b) |
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(c) |
Articles III, V and VI of the Trust Instrument, Exhibit 28(a)(1) hereto, defines the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)
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(d)(1) |
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(d)(2) |
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(d)(3) |
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(d)(4) |
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(d)(5) |
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(e)(1) |
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(e)(2) |
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(e)(3) |
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(e)(4) |
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(f) |
Not Applicable. |
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(g)(1) |
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(g)(2) | |
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(g)(3) |
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(h)(1) |
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(h)(2) |
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(h)(3) |
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(h)(4) |
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(h)(5) |
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(h)(8) |
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(h)(9) |
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(h)(10) |
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(h)(11) |
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(h)(12) |
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(i)(1) |
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(i)(2) |
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(i)(3) |
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(p)(5) | |
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(p)(7) | |
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(p)(8) | |
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(q) |
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1. |
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2005. |
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2. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 13, 2005. |
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3. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 21, 2008. |
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4. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 26, 2011. |
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5. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 27, 2013. |
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6. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 10, 2013 |
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7 |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2014. |
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8. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 20, 2014. |
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9. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 31, 2014. |
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10. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 26, 2015. |
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11. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 21, 2015. |
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12. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 28, 2016. |
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13. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 30, 2016. |
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14. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 30, 2017. |
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15. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 16, 2017. |
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16. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 6, 2017. |
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17. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 6, 2017. |
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18. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 13, 2017. |
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19. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 30, 2017. |
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20. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 6, 2017. |
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21. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 13, 2017. |
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22 |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 29, 2017. |
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23. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed January 29, 2018. |
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24. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 30, 2018. |
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25. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 28, 2018. |
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26. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed July 3, 2018. |
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27. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 28, 2018. |
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28. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed September 7, 2018. |
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29. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed September 28, 2018. |
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30. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 29, 2018. |
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31. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed November 6, 2018. |
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32. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed January 28, 2019. |
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33. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed February 28, 2019. |
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34. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 29, 2019. |
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35. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 28, 2019. |
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36. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 28, 2019. |
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37. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed January 2, 2020. |
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38. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2020. |
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39. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 140 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2020. |
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40. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 29, 2020. |
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41. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 146 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 10, 2020. |
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42. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 24, 2020. |
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43. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 28, 2020. |
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44. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2021. |
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45. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2021. |
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46. |
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2021. |
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47. |
Filed herewith. |
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ITEM 29. |
Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant |
No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
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ITEM 30. |
Indemnification |
As permitted by Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, officers, trustees, employees and agents of the Registrant will not be liable to the Registrant, any shareholder, officer, trustee, employee, agent or other person for any action or failure to act, except for bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and those individuals may be indemnified against liabilities in connection with the Registrant, subject to the same exceptions.
The Registrant’s Trust Instrument (Exhibit 28(a) to the Registrant Statement), investment advisory agreements (Exhibit 28(d) to the Registration Statement), distribution agreements (Exhibit 28(e) to the Registration Statement) and administration agreements (Exhibit 28(h) to the Registrant Statement) provide for indemnification of certain persons acting on behalf of the Registrant. The Registrant may, from time to time, enter other contractual arrangements that provide for indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defenses of any action, suite or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 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 Advisers |
The list required by this Item 31 as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each of the investment advisers, and each director, officer or partner of such investment advisers, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Schedules A and D of each investment adviser’s Form ADV listed opposite such investment adviser’s name below, which is currently on file with the SEC as required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Name of Investment Adviser |
Form ADV File No. |
Stringer Asset Management, LLC |
801-77536 |
IMS Capital Management, Inc. |
801-33939 |
FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC |
801-68568 |
Timber Point Capital Management LLC |
801-118290 |
Winthrop Capital Management, LLC |
801-71321 |
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ITEM 32. |
Principal Underwriter |
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(a) |
The principal underwriter and distributor for the Registrant is Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC. To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC also acts as principal underwriter to the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund. |
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(b) |
To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, the table below provides information for each director, officer or partner of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, the principal underwriter of the Registrant: |
NAME AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ADDRESS* |
POSITIONS WITH UNDERWRITER |
POSITIONS WITH REGISTRANT |
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Michaela Schultze |
Chief Executive Officer |
None |
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Stephen R. Roberts |
Chief Compliance Officer |
None |
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* |
The address of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and each of the above-named persons is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205. |
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(c) |
Not Applicable. |
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ITEM 33. |
Location of Accounts and Records |
The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:
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a) |
M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Administrator and Transfer Agent). |
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b) |
Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Principal Underwriter). |
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c) |
Fifth Third Bank, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the Stringer Growth Fund, FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund, and Timber Point Funds). |
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d) |
Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the IMS Funds). |
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e) |
Stringer Asset Management, LLC, 5050 Poplar Ave, Suite 1103, Memphis, Tennessee 38157 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Stringer Funds). |
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f) |
IMS Capital Management, Inc., 8995 SE Otty Road, Portland, Oregon 97086 (records related to its function as investment adviser to the IMS Funds.) |
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g) |
FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, 124 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 504, Greenville, SC 29607 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund. |
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i) |
Winthrop Capital Management, LLC, 20 East 91st Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser to the Timber Point Alternative Income Fund). |
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k) | Timber Point Capital Management LLC, 555 Pleasantville Rd, Suite N202, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Timber Point Funds |
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ITEM 34. |
Management Services |
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form N-1A.
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ITEM 35. |
Undertakings |
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Fairway, and State of Kansas, on this 28th day of October 2021.
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360 Funds |
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By: |
/s/ Randall K. Linscott |
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Randall K. Linscott, President, Trustee and Principal Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
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* |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Gary W. DiCenzo, Trustee |
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Date
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* |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Arthur Q. Falk, Trustee |
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Date
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* |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Steven D. Poppen, Trustee |
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Date |
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* |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Thomas J. Schmidt, Trustee |
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Date |
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* |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Tom M. Wirtshafter, Trustee |
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Date
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/s/ Randall K. Linscott |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Randall K. Linscott, Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer
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Date
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/s/ Larry E. Beaver, Jr. |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Larry E. Beaver, Jr., Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
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Date
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* By: |
/s/ Randall K. Linscott |
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October 28, 2021 |
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Randall K. Linscott, Attorney-in-Fact |
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Date |
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*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Consent of BBD, LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |