485APOS 1 fp0029960_485apos.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2018

Securities Act Registration No. 333-123290

Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-21726

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. [  ]
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 [X]
and/or  
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
  Amendment No. 100 [X]

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

360 FUNDS

(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:

John H. Lively
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law GroupTM
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211

 

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)

|  | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
|  | On _____________ pursuant to paragraph (b)
|_| 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
|_| on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
|X| 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
|_| on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

 

 

 

 

 

RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund

 

Investor Class (Ticker Symbol: _______)

Institutional Shares (Ticker Symbol: _______)

 

a series of the

360 Funds

 

PROSPECTUS

____________, 2018

 

Advised by: Sub-advised by:
Crow Point Partners, LLC RVX Asset Management LLC
25 Recreation Dr., Suite 206 20900 NE 30th Street
Hingham, MA 02043 Suite 401
1-877-327-0757 Aventura, FL 33180

 

www.crowpointfunds.com

 

This Prospectus relates to two classes of shares (Investor Class and Institutional Class shares); for questions or for Shareholder Services, please call (877) 244-6235. Investor Class shares has not commenced operations.

 

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.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

SUMMARY 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 11
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 12
MANAGEMENT 20
ADMINISTRATION 21
INVESTING IN THE FUND 22
PURCHASING SHARES 23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS 28
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 29
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 31

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective. The RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of emerging market companies.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund. This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. More information is available from your financial professional and in the section captioned “Purchasing Shares” on page 23 of this prospectus.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

Investor

Class shares

Institutional

Class shares

Redemption Fee on Shares Held Less Than 30 Days (as a % of amount redeemed) 2.00% 2.00%

 

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

 

 

Investor

Class shares

Institutional

Class shares

Management Fees 0.90% 0.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% None
Other Expenses1    
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses    
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses    
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements 2    
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 1.60% 1.35%

 

1.Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

2.Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, through at least _______, 2021, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement (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 Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) do not exceed 1.35% and 1.35% of the average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares, respectively, through _______, 2021, subject to the Adviser’s right to recoup payments on a rolling three-year basis so long as the payment would not exceed the agreed upon expense caps. 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.

 

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

This Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. This Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only until ____________, 2021. 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
Investor Class $ $
Institutional Class $ $

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations, no portfolio turnover information is available for the Fund at this time.

 

Principal Investment Strategy of the Fund. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, including any borrowings for investment purposes, in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that are tied economically to emerging markets (including frontier market countries) with up to 20% of the Fund’s assets at cost invested in frontier markets. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in developed market stocks. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Fund will allocate up to 100% of its portfolio in equity securities and other securities with equity characteristics, including but not limited to common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants (including participatory notes structured as warrants), rights (which are issued by a company to allow holders to subscribe for additional securities issued by that company), real estate investment trusts, convertible securities, depositary receipts, and structured financial instruments (such as equity-linked notes and participatory notes). The Fund may also invest in equity securities indirectly through the purchase of closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds (together, the “Underlying Funds”) that invest primarily in equity securities.

 

The Fund will generally invest in equity securities of those companies tied to emerging and frontier markets (i) that are listed on an exchange in an emerging market or frontier market country, (ii) that are legally domiciled in an emerging market or frontier market country; (iii) that have at least 50% of their assets in an emerging market or frontier market country; (iv) or that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services provided in an emerging market or frontier market country. The Sub-Adviser believes that emerging and frontier markets countries offer investment opportunities that arise from long-term trends in demographics, deregulation, offshore outsourcing and improving corporate governance.

 

The Sub-Adviser uses a process of quantitative screening followed by “bottom-up” fundamental analysis with the goal of owning the highest quality, undervalued companies that are tied economically to emerging and frontier market countries. When choosing equity investments for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser applies a fundamental research driven, relative value-oriented, long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to their evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. As part of its due diligence, the Sub-Adviser may conduct on-site visits and meet with senior management of target companies. The country’s macroeconomic outlook and qualitative factors such as competitive positioning and management strength are also considered.

 

The Fund will not be required to sell a security because the market to which it is economically tied is no longer considered to be an emerging market or frontier market country. It may invest in the equity securities of companies of any size. The Fund may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs). The Fund may also, when market signals warrant, go defensive, investing all or a substantial portion of Fund assets in cash and/or cash equivalents.

 

An “Emerging market” is any country that is not considered developed, and includes any country that is outside the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) EAFE Index or similarly developed market indices. It also includes countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the FTSE Emerging Markets Index, the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index (BMI), or similar market indices. “Emerging market” countries are generally considered to be developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the United Nations, or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In general, emerging and frontier markets tend to have relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the larger traditionally-recognized developed markets and the world’s major developed economies.

 

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“Frontier markets” are a subset of those considered emerging markets that are the least advanced. This includes any country that is outside of the MSCI All Country World Index and, also may include any country that is currently included in the Russell Frontier Index, the S&P Frontier Broad Market Index (BMI), the MSCI Frontier Markets Index, or similar market indices.

 

“Developed markets” include countries that have highly developed economies with advanced capital market structures. These countries must be high income countries, with formal stock market regulatory authorities, open to foreign investment, and provide for safe and easy movement of capital. Developed markets will include those countries that are classified as “developed” by MSCI, FTSE and S&P.

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.

 

• Convertible Securities Risk. Securities that can be converted into common stock, such as certain securities and preferred stock, are subject to the usual risks associated with fixed income investments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, because they react to changes in the value of the equity securities into which they will convert, convertible securities are also subject to the risks associated with equity securities.

 

• Closed End Fund Risk. The Fund invests in closed end investment companies or funds. The shares of many closed end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value. The Fund may invest in shares of closed end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund. Closed end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

• Currency Risk. Foreign currencies, securities that trade in or receive revenues in foreign currencies, or derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies may fluctuate in value relative to the U.S. dollar, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Because the Fund’s net asset value is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, you may lose money if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the market value of the Fund’s holdings appreciates. In addition, fluctuations in the exchange values of currencies could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

 

• Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund is at risk of unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, the investment adviser, sub-adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.

 

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• Derivatives Risk. Using derivatives can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging effect and increase fund volatility. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders.

 

• Emerging Markets and Frontier Markets Risk. The Fund’s investments in emerging market countries and frontier market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. These risks include less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets with low or nonexistent trading volume and greater illiquidity and price volatility; more restrictive national policies on foreign investment, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; less transparent and established taxation policies; less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private and foreign investment; more pervasiveness of corruption and crime; less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources possessed by, and less government regulation of, the financial institutions and issuers with which the Fund transacts; less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.; greater concentration in a few industries resulting in greater vulnerability to regional and global trade conditions; higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates; greater sensitivity to interest rate changes; increased volatility in currency exchange rates and potential for currency devaluations and/or currency controls; greater debt burdens relative to the size of the economy; more delays in settling portfolio transactions and heightened risk of loss from share registration and custody practices; and less assurance that recent favorable economic developments will not be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries. Because of these risk factors, the Fund’s investments in developing market countries are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than investments in developed markets. Governments of emerging market and frontier market countries may own or control parts of the private sector. Accordingly, government actions could have a significant impact on economic conditions. Certain emerging market and frontier market countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular sector and/or company, limit the investment by foreign persons to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than a domestically available class, require foreign investors to maintain a trading account with only one licensed securities company in the relevant market and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. These may contribute to the illiquidity of the relevant securities market, as well as create inflexibility and uncertainty as to the trading environment. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets than traditional emerging markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. The economies of frontier market countries are less correlated to global economic cycles than those of their more developed counterparts and their markets have low trading volumes and the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity.

 

• Equity-Linked Notes Risk (“ELNs”). ELNs are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign equity securities or the basket of foreign securities to which they are linked. If the linked securities decline in value, the ELN may return a lower amount at maturity. ELNs involve further risks associated with purchases and sales of notes, including the exchange rate fluctuations and a decline in the credit quality of the note’s issuer. ELNs are frequently secured by collateral. If an issuer defaults, an underlying fund would look to any underlying collateral to recover its losses. Ratings of issuers of ELNs refer only to the issuers’ creditworthiness and the related collateral. They provide no indication of the potential risks of the linked securities.

 

• Foreign Exchange Risk. When the Fund buys or sells securities on a foreign stock exchange, the transaction is undertaken in the local currency rather than in U.S. dollars. In purchasing or selling local currency to execute transactions on foreign exchanges, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or decrease, which may impact the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Some countries have, and may continue to adopt internal economic policies that affect their currency valuations in a manner that may be disadvantageous for U.S. investors or U.S. companies seeking to do business in those countries. In addition, a country may impose formal or informal currency exchange controls. These controls may restrict or prohibit the Fund’s ability to repatriate both investment capital and income, which could undermine the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and potentially place the Fund’s assets at risk of total loss. Currency risks may be greater in emerging and frontier market countries than in developed market countries. Some emerging and frontier market currencies are controlled. Additionally, there is limited liquidity in the foreign exchange markets for certain emerging and frontier market currencies.

 

6 

 

• Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

 

• Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

 

• IPO Risk. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to certain factors, such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, the Sub-Adviser cannot guarantee continued access to IPOs.

 

• Legal and Regulatory Risks. The laws and regulations affecting an investment in securities in an emerging or frontier market are often not as well developed and/or established as the laws and regulations of developed countries, may not have been drafted to cover specifically an investment via a fund vehicle, may be drafted in a less concise or otherwise ambiguous manner which could lead to differences in interpretation and, in some countries, may remain untested. Consequently, there may be a lower level of regulatory monitoring of the relevant securities markets than is the case for securities markets in developed countries. Additionally, in the event of a securities-related dispute involving a foreign party, the laws and regulations of these countries would generally apply (unless an applicable international treaty provides otherwise), the court systems of these countries may not be as transparent and effective as court systems in more developed countries, there can be no assurance of obtaining effective enforcement of rights through legal proceedings and the judgments of foreign courts may not be recognized.

 

• Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such securities quickly at the price it has valued the holding, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.

 

• Management Risk. The risk that investment strategies employed by the Fund’s Sub-Adviser in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies.

 

7 

 

• Market Risk. General market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, volatility in the equities market or adverse investor sentiment could cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decline. It includes the risk that a particular style of investing, such as growth or value, may underperform the market generally.

 

• Market Events Risk. There has been increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty in the financial markets during the past several years. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve have recently reduced market support activities. Further reduction, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also continue to contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

• Mid-Cap Risk. The risk that the value of securities issued by mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments.

 

• New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly-formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders. In addition, the Sub-Adviser has limited experience in managing a mutual fund.

 

• Participation Notes Risk. Participation notes are designed to replicate the performance of the securities of foreign companies or foreign securities markets and can be used by a Fund as an alternative means to access the securities market of a country. The performance results of participation notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the securities of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate due to transaction and other expenses. There can be no assurance that the trading price of participation notes will equal the underlying value of the securities of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. Investments in participation notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the securities of the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets that the participation notes seek to replicate. Participation notes are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the participation note (a bank or a broker-dealer) will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Moreover, the Fund has no rights under a participation note against the issuer of the underlying security.

 

• Political Risk. The risks associated with the general political and social environment of a country. These factors may include among other things government instability, poor socioeconomic conditions, corruption, lack of law and order, lack of democratic accountability, poor quality of the bureaucracy, internal and external conflict, and religious and ethnic tensions. High political risk can impede the economic welfare of a country.

 

• Preferred Stock Risk. A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It may offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership and receipt of dividends, but it does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend of a preferred stock may be set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it may be changed or passed by the issuer.

 

• REIT Risk. REITs may be affected by economic forces and other factors related to the real estate industry. These risks include possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. REITs that invest in real estate mortgages are also subject to prepayment risk. Investing in REITs may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500® Index. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by an externally managed REIT in which it invests.

 

8 

 

• Small and Micro-Cap Risk. The securities of small and micro-cap companies may be more volatile in price, have wider spreads between their bid and ask prices, and have significantly lower trading volumes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. As a result, the purchase or sale of more than a limited number of shares of the securities of a smaller company may affect its market price. The Fund may need a considerable amount of time to purchase or sell its positions in these securities. Some small and micro-cap companies are followed by few, if any, securities analysts, and there tends to be less publicly available information about such companies. Their securities generally have even more limited trading volumes and are subject to even more abrupt or erratic market price movements than are mid and large cap securities, and the Fund may be able to deal with only a few market-makers when purchasing and selling securities. Such companies also may have limited markets, financial resources or product lines, may lack management depth, and may be more vulnerable to adverse business or market developments. Smaller company stocks may fall out of favor relative to mid or large cap stocks, which may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that focus on mid or large cap stocks.

 

• Structured Securities Risk. The payment and credit qualities of structured securities derive from their underlying assets, and they may behave in ways not anticipated by the Fund, or they may not receive tax, accounting or regulatory treatment anticipated by the Fund.

 

• Trading Volumes and Volatility. The securities markets in emerging and frontier market countries are often smaller, with lower trading volumes and shorter trading hours than securities markets in developed countries. The market capitalizations of the companies that are listed on emerging and frontier markets’ securities exchanges are often smaller than those on the primary securities markets of more developed countries. As a consequence, such securities are often materially less liquid, substantially more volatile and subject to significantly greater bid/offer spreads than securities listed on the securities markets in developed countries.

 

• Valuation Risk. The sale price that the Fund could receive for a portfolio security may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. In addition, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.

 

• Value Stock Risk. Value investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. Typically, their valuation levels are less than those of growth stocks. Because different types of stocks go out of favor with investors depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s return may be adversely affected during a market downturn and when value stocks are out of favor.

 

Performance: Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by calling 1-877-244-6235.

 

Management. Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser has engaged RVX Asset Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to act as the Fund’s sub-adviser and manage the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser’s investment advisory agreement was approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

Portfolio Managers. The Fund’s assets are managed by Cindy New and Robin Kollannur, Portfolio Managers and Co-Managing Partners for Equities at the Sub-Adviser. Ms. New and Mr. Kollannur have managed the Fund since its inception.

 

9 

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares.

 

The minimum initial investment in the Investor Class and Institutional Class shares is $___ and $_____, respectively, for regular accounts and the minimum subsequent investment is $___. Currently, the Investor Class of shares has not commenced operations. You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone, website, or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by ACH, check or wire transfer. The Fund may, at the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept accounts with less than the minimum investment. You can purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund on any business day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open directly by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235, where you may also obtain more information about purchasing or redeeming shares by mail, facsimile or bank wire. The Fund has also authorized certain broker-dealers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact their broker-dealer directly.

 

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

 

10 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

Investment Objective: The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of emerging market companies. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days, prior written notice to shareholders.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, including any borrowings for investment purposes, in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that are tied economically to emerging markets (including frontier market countries) with up to 20% of the Fund’s assets at cost invested in frontier markets. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in developed markets. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Fund will allocate up to 100% of its portfolio in equity securities and other securities with equity characteristics, including but not limited to common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants (including participatory notes structured as warrants), rights (which are issued by a company to allow holders to subscribe for additional securities issued by that company), real estate investment trusts, convertible securities, depositary receipts, and structured financial instruments (such as equity-linked notes and participatory notes). The Fund may also invest in equity securities indirectly through the purchase of closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds (together, the “Underlying Funds”) that invest primarily in equity securities.

 

The Fund will generally invest in equity securities of those companies tied to emerging and frontier markets (i) that are listed on an exchange in an emerging market or frontier market country, (ii) that are legally domiciled in an emerging market or frontier market country; (iii) that have at least 50% of their assets in an emerging market or frontier market country; (iv) or that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services provided in an emerging market or frontier market country. The Sub-Adviser believes that emerging and frontier markets countries offer investment opportunities that arise from long-term trends in demographics, deregulation, offshore outsourcing and improving corporate governance.

 

The Sub-Adviser uses a process of quantitative screening followed by “bottom-up” fundamental analysis with the goal of owning the highest quality, undervalued companies that are tied economically to emerging and frontier market countries. When choosing equity investments for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser applies a fundamental research driven, relative value-oriented, long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to their evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. As part of its due diligence, the Sub-Adviser may conduct on-site visits and meet with senior management of target companies. The country’s macroeconomic outlook and qualitative factors such as competitive positioning and management strength are also considered.

 

The Fund will not be required to sell a security because the market to which it is economically tied is no longer considered to be an emerging market or frontier market country. It may invest in the equity securities of companies of any size. The Fund may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs). The Fund may also, when market signals warrant, go defensive, investing all or a substantial portion of Fund assets in cash and/or cash equivalents.

 

“An “Emerging market” is any country that is not considered developed, and includes any country that is outside the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) EAFE Index or similarly developed market indices. It also includes countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the FTSE Emerging Markets Index, the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index (BMI), or similar market indices. “Emerging market” countries are generally considered to be developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the United Nations, or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In general, emerging and frontier markets tend to have relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the larger traditionally-recognized developed markets and the world’s major developed economies.

 

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“Frontier markets” are a subset of those considered emerging markets that are the least advanced. This includes any country that is outside of the MSCI All Country World Index and, also may include any country that is currently included in the Russell Frontier Index, the S&P Frontier Broad Market Index (BMI), the MSCI Frontier Markets Index, or similar market indices.

 

“Developed markets” include countries that have highly developed economies with advanced capital market structures. These countries must be high income countries, with formal stock market regulatory authorities, open to foreign investment, and provide for safe and easy movement of capital. Developed markets will include those countries that are classified as “developed” by MSCI, FTSE and S&P.

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.

 

• Convertible Securities Risk. Securities that can be converted into common stock, such as certain securities and preferred stock, are subject to the usual risks associated with fixed income investments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, because they react to changes in the value of the equity securities into which they will convert, convertible securities are also subject to the risks associated with equity securities.

 

• Closed End Fund Risk. The Fund invests in closed end investment companies or funds. The shares of many closed end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value. The Fund may invest in shares of closed end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund. Closed end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

• Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of the Internet and because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s operations, the Fund and its investment adviser, sub-adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and the financial intermediaries (collectively “Service Providers”) are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. However, events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks.

 

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• Derivatives Risk. Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund, even when used for hedging purposes. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, or the derivatives themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund, especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging effect (which may increase investment losses) and increase the Fund’s volatility, which is the degree to which the Fund’s share price may fluctuate within a short time period. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The other parties to certain derivatives transactions present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives also tend to involve greater liquidity risk and they may be difficult to value. The Fund may be unable to terminate or sell its derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, or indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives or similar instruments may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Investments by the Fund in structured securities, a type of derivative, raise certain tax, legal, regulatory and accounting issues that may not be presented by direct investments in securities. These issues could be resolved in a manner that could hurt the performance of the Fund. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that an increased portion of the Fund’s assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.

 

• Emerging and Frontier Markets. Additional risks are involved when investing in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. The Fund invests primarily in emerging and frontier market issuers. Emerging and frontier market countries generally are located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central and South America and Africa. Such countries may include, but are not limited to, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of developed countries. In general, the securities markets of these countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries as has historically been the case. As a result, the risks presented by investments in these countries are heightened. These countries also have problems with securities registration and custody. Additionally, settlement procedures in emerging and frontier market countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States, and may involve the Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging and frontier market countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume or holdings of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser, their affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached. As a result of these and other risks, investments in these countries generally present a greater risk of loss to the Fund. Investments in some emerging and frontier market countries, such as those located in Asia, may be restricted or controlled. In some countries, direct investments in securities may be prohibited and required to be made through investment funds controlled by such countries. These limitations may increase transaction costs and adversely affect a security’s liquidity, price, and the rights of the Fund in connection with the security. Unanticipated political, economic or social developments may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in emerging and frontier market countries and the availability to the Fund of additional investments in these countries. Some of these countries may in the past have failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. There have been occasional limitations on the movements of funds and other assets between different countries. The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain of such countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund’s investments in such countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in Japan or most Western European countries, and the Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before making certain investments in those countries. There may be little financial or accounting information available with respect to issuers located in certain of such countries, and it may be difficult as a result to assess the value or prospects of an investment in such issuers. Many emerging market countries are subject to rapid currency devaluations and high inflation and/or economic recession and significant debt levels. These economic factors can have a material adverse effect on these countries’ economies and their securities markets. Moreover, many emerging market countries’ economies are based on only a few industries and/or are heavily dependent on global trade. Therefore, they may be negatively affected by declining commodity prices, factors affecting their trading markets and partners, exchange controls and other trade barriers, currency valuations and other protectionist measures. From time to time, certain of the companies in which the Fund may invest may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. A company may suffer damage to its reputation if it is identified as a company which operates in, or has dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. As an investor in such companies, the Fund will be indirectly subject to those risks.

 

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As a result of recent events involving Ukraine and the Russian Federation, the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporations. Additional broader sanctions may be imposed in the future. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. These events could have a negative effect on the performance of the Fund that holds such securities.

 

Many emerging and frontier market countries also impose withholding or other taxes on foreign investments, which may be substantial and result in lower Fund returns. The creditworthiness of firms used by the Fund to effect securities transactions in emerging and frontier market countries may not be as strong as in some developed countries. As a result, the Fund could be subject to a greater risk of loss on its securities transactions if a firm defaults on its responsibilities. The Fund’s ability to manage its foreign currency may be restricted in emerging and frontier market countries. As a result, a significant portion of the Fund’s currency exposure in these countries may not be covered. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets than traditional emerging markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. The economies of frontier market countries are less correlated to global economic cycles than those of their more developed counterparts and their markets have low trading volumes and the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further heightened by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of mutual funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local stock prices and, therefore, the price of Fund shares. These factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than in other countries and any one of them could cause the price of the Fund’s shares to decline. The recent decline in the U.S. economy as a result of the subprime crisis may have a disproportionately more adverse effect on economies of emerging and frontier market countries.

 

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• Equity Linked Notes (ELN) Risk. Investments in ELNs often have risks similar to their underlying securities, which could include management risk, market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risks. In addition, since ELNs are in note form, ELNs are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. Should the prices of the underlying securities move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of an investment in an ELN, and may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the Fund’s entire principal investment. An investment in an ELN is also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the ELN will default or become bankrupt and the Fund will have difficulty being repaid, or fail to be repaid, the principal amount of, or income from, its investment. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities or a fixed income investment.

 

• Foreign Exchange Risk. When the Fund buys or sells securities on a foreign stock exchange, the transaction is undertaken in the local currency rather than in U.S. dollars. In purchasing or selling local currency to execute transactions on foreign exchanges, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or decrease, which may impact the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Some countries have, and may continue to adopt internal economic policies that affect their currency valuations in a manner that may be disadvantageous for U.S. investors or U.S. companies seeking to do business in those countries. In addition, a country may impose formal or informal currency exchange controls. These controls may restrict or prohibit the Fund’s ability to repatriate both investment capital and income, which could undermine the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and potentially place the Fund’s assets at risk of total loss. Currency risks may be greater in emerging and frontier market countries than in developed market countries. Some emerging and frontier market currencies are controlled. Additionally, there is limited liquidity in the foreign exchange markets for certain emerging and frontier market currencies.

 

• Foreign Securities, Emerging Markets and Foreign Currency Risk. Securities of foreign issuers may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Investments in securities of foreign issuers present certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, political, economic or legal developments (including war or other instability, expropriation of assets, nationalization and confiscatory taxation), the imposition of foreign exchange limitations (including currency blockage), withholding taxes on income or capital transactions or other restrictions, higher transaction costs (including higher brokerage, custodial and settlement costs and currency conversion costs) and possible difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations or taking judicial action. Securities of foreign issuers may not be as liquid and may be more volatile than comparable securities of domestic issuers. In addition, there often is less publicly available information about many foreign issuers, and issuers of foreign securities are subject to different, often less comprehensive, auditing, accounting and financial reporting disclosure requirements than domestic issuers. There is generally less government regulation of exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the United States and, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in those countries. Because there is usually less supervision and governmental regulation of foreign exchanges, brokers and dealers than there is in the United States, the Fund may experience settlement difficulties or delays not usually encountered in the United States.

 

Delays in making trades in securities of foreign issuers relating to volume constraints, limitations or restrictions, clearance or settlement procedures, or otherwise could impact returns and result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are not fully invested or attractive investment opportunities are foregone. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of depositary receipts, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Depositary receipts involve substantially identical risks to those associated with direct investment in securities of foreign issuers. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. In addition to the increased risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers, there are often increased transaction costs associated with investing in securities of foreign issuers, including the costs incurred in connection with converting currencies, higher foreign brokerage or dealer costs and higher settlement costs or custodial costs. Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the Fund may be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (and exchange control regulations) which affect the value of investments in the Fund and the accrued income and appreciation or depreciation of the investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency and the Fund’s return on such assets as well as any temporary uninvested reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies. In addition, the Fund will incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot (i.e., cash) basis in connection with the settlement of transactions in securities traded in such foreign currency. The Fund also may enter into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date (“forward contracts”). A foreign currency forward contract is a negotiated agreement between the contracting to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. The Fund may attempt to protect against adverse changes in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to a foreign currency by entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency invested or to be invested, or by buying or selling a foreign currency futures contract for such amount. Such strategies may be employed before the Fund purchases a foreign security traded in the currency which the Fund anticipates acquiring or between the date the foreign security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment therefore is made or received. Seeking to protect against a change in the value of a foreign currency in the foregoing manner does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Furthermore, such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such contracts. The Fund’s investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks. These risks include less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets with low or nonexistent trading volume and greater illiquidity and price volatility; more restrictive national policies on foreign investment, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; less transparent and established taxation policies; less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private and foreign investment; less financial sophistication, creditworthiness, and/or resources possessed by, and less government regulation of, the financial institutions and issuers with which the Fund transacts; less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.; greater concentration in a few industries resulting in greater vulnerability to regional and global trade conditions; higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates; greater sensitivity to interest rate changes; increased volatility in currency exchange rates and potential for currency devaluations and/or currency controls; greater debt burdens relative to the size of the economy; more delays in settling portfolio transactions and heightened risk of loss from share registration and custody practices; and less assurance that recent favorable economic developments will not be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries. Because of these risk factors, the Fund’s investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than investments in developed markets.

 

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• Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

 

• IPO Risk. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to certain factors, such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, the Sub-Adviser cannot guarantee continued access to IPOs.

 

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• Legal and Regulatory Risks. The laws and regulations affecting an investment in securities in an emerging or frontier market are often not as well developed and/or established as the laws and regulations of developed countries, may not have been drafted to cover specifically an investment via a fund vehicle, may be drafted in a less concise or otherwise ambiguous manner which could lead to differences in interpretation and, in some countries, may remain untested. Consequently, there may be a lower level of regulatory monitoring of the relevant securities markets than is the case for securities markets in developed countries. Additionally, in the event of a securities-related dispute involving a foreign party, the laws and regulations of these countries would generally apply (unless an applicable international treaty provides otherwise), the court systems of these countries may not be as transparent and effective as court systems in more developed countries, there can be no assurance of obtaining effective enforcement of rights through legal proceedings and the judgments of foreign courts may not be recognized.

 

• Liquidity Risk. There is risk that the Fund may not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time periods described in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, legal restrictions impairing its ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price or other reasons. Certain portfolio securities may be less liquid than others, which may make them difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like or difficult to value. The Fund may have to lower the price, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity. Any of these events could have a negative effect on fund management or performance. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities derivatives or securities with potential market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk.

 

• Management Risk. The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Sub-Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Additionally, the Sub-Adviser may have conflicts of interest that could interfere with its management of the Fund’s portfolio. For example, the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates may manage other investment funds or have other clients that may be similar to, or overlap with, the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, creating potential conflicts of interest when making decisions regarding which investments may be appropriate for the Fund and other clients. Further information regarding conflicts of interest is available in the SAI.

 

• Market Risk. Overall equity market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

 

• Market Events Risk. In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the Fund directly invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

 

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• Mid-Cap Risk. The risk that the value of securities issued by mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments.

 

• New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly-formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders. In addition, the Sub-Adviser has limited experience in managing a mutual fund.

 

• Participation Notes Risk. Participation notes are designed to replicate the performance of the securities of foreign companies or foreign securities markets and can be used by a Fund as an alternative means to access the securities market of a country. The performance results of participation notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the securities of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate due to transaction and other expenses. There can be no assurance that the trading price of participation notes will equal the underlying value of the securities of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. Investments in participation notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the securities of the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets that the participation notes seek to replicate. Participation notes are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the participation note (a bank or a broker-dealer) will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Moreover, the Fund has no rights under a participation note against the issuer of the underlying security.

 

• Political Risk. The risks associated with the general political and social environment of a country. These factors may include among other things government instability, poor socioeconomic conditions, corruption, lack of law and order, lack of democratic accountability, poor quality of the bureaucracy, internal and external conflict, and religious and ethnic tensions. High political risk can impede the economic welfare of a country.

 

• Preferred Stock Risk. A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It may offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership and receipt of dividends, but it does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend of a preferred stock may be set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it may be changed or passed by the issuer.

 

• REIT Risk. REITs may be affected by economic forces and other factors related to the real estate industry. These risks include possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. REITs that invest in real estate mortgages are also subject to prepayment risk. Investing in REITs may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500® Index. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by an externally managed REIT in which it invests.

 

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• Small and Micro-Cap Risk. The securities of small and micro-cap companies may be more volatile in price, have wider spreads between their bid and ask prices, and have significantly lower trading volumes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. As a result, the purchase or sale of more than a limited number of shares of the securities of a smaller company may affect its market price. The Fund may need a considerable amount of time to purchase or sell its positions in these securities. Some small and micro-cap companies are followed by few, if any, securities analysts, and there tends to be less publicly available information about such companies. Their securities generally have even more limited trading volumes and are subject to even more abrupt or erratic market price movements than are mid and large cap securities, and the Fund may be able to deal with only a few market-makers when purchasing and selling securities. Such companies also may have limited markets, financial resources or product lines, may lack management depth, and may be more vulnerable to adverse business or market developments. Smaller company stocks may fall out of favor relative to mid or large cap stocks, which may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that focus on mid or large cap stocks.

 

• Structured Securities Risk. The value of a structured security depends on the value of the underlying assets and the terms of the particular security. Investment by the Fund in certain structured securities may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s exposure to interest rate, market or credit risk, even if they are not primarily intended for these purposes. Structured securities may behave in ways not anticipated by the fund, and they raise certain tax, legal, regulatory and accounting issues that may not be presented by direct investments in the underlying assets. These issues could be resolved in a manner that could hurt the performance of the Fund.

 

• Trading Volumes and Volatility. The securities markets in emerging and frontier market countries are often smaller, with lower trading volumes and shorter trading hours than securities markets in developed countries. The market capitalizations of the companies that are listed on emerging and frontier markets’ securities exchanges are often smaller than those on the primary securities markets of more developed countries. As a consequence, such securities are often materially less liquid, substantially more volatile and subject to significantly greater bid/offer spreads than securities listed on the securities markets in developed countries.

 

• Valuation Risk. The sale price the Fund could receive for a security may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets, or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Because portfolio securities of the Fund may be traded on non-U.S. exchanges, and non-U.S. exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.

 

• Value Stock Risk. Value investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. Typically, their valuation levels are less than those of growth stocks. Because different types of stocks go out of favor with investors depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s return may be adversely affected during a market downturn and when value stocks are out of favor.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-844-330-6747.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser. Crow Point Partners, LLC (“Adviser” or “Crow Point”), located at 25 Recreation Park Dr., Suite 206 Hingham, MA 02043, serves as Investment Adviser to the Fund. As of _______, 201_, Crow Point manages approximately $____ million in assets under management. As the Fund’s investment advisor, Crow Point reviews, supervises and administers the Fund’s investment program and also ensures compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and guidelines.

 

The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund’s sub-advisor(s), subject to approval by the Board. The Adviser selects a sub-advisor that has shown good investment performance in its areas of expertise. Crow Point considers various factors in evaluating a sub-advisor, including:

 

level of knowledge and skill;

performance as compared to its peers or benchmark;

level of compliance with investment rules and strategies;

employees’ facilities and financial strength; and

quality of service.

 

Crow Point will also continually monitor the Sub-Adviser’s performance through various analyses and through in-person, telephone, and written consultations with the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser discusses its expectations for performance with the Sub-Adviser and provides evaluations and recommendations to the Board, including whether or not the Sub-Adviser’s contract should be renewed, modified, or terminated.

 

Crow Point is also responsible for running all of the operations of the Fund, except those that are subcontracted to the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, administrative agent, or other parties. For its services, Crow Point is entitled to receive an investment advisory fee from the Fund at an annualized rate _____%, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Crow Point pays a sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Adviser from its advisory fee.

 

Crow Point has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, through at least _______, 2021, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement (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 Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) do not exceed 1.35% and 1.35% of the average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares, respectively, through _______, 2021, subject to the Adviser’s right to recoup payments on a rolling three-year basis so long as the payment would not exceed the agreed upon expense caps. 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. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and boost its performance.

 

Sub-Adviser

 

RVX Asset Management, LLC serves as the sub-adviser to the Fund. Its principal place of business is 20900 NE 30th Avenue, Suite 402, Aventura, FL 33180. RVX was founded in August 2015. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund’s portfolio investments.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Cindy New, Portfolio Manager

 

Ms. New has served as Portfolio Manager and Managing Partner for Equities of the Sub-Adviser since 2016. Ms. New has over 24 years of investment management experience. From 2011 to 2016, Ms. New was a General Partner and Portfolio Manager of Mercator Asset Management, LP, where she served on the Investment Committee and conducted fundamental research for the firm’s international and emerging markets equity portfolios. From 2005 to 2010, Ms. New was a Director and Portfolio Manager for Consilium Investment Management LLC, where she managed long-only and long/short emerging and frontier markets equity products. Prior to Consilium, for five years, Ms. New was a Portfolio Manager and Analyst for Jacobs Asset Management, which merged with Thompson, Siegel and Walmsley. From 1997 to 1998, Ms. New worked as an Equity Analyst for Pioneer Management. She started her career in the investment industry at Templeton Worldwide as an Analyst and Portfolio Manager. Prior to entering the investment industry, Ms. New was an auditor for Deloitte. Ms. New has earned the CFA designation and became a CPA in 1993. She received her MBA from the University of Central Florida and BS degree in accounting from the University of Florida.

 

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Robin Kollannur, Portfolio Manager

 

Mr. Kollannur has served as Portfolio Manager and Managing Partner for Equities of the Sub-Adviser since 2016. Mr. Kollannur has over 23 years of investment management experience. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Kollannur was a General Partner and Portfolio Manager of Mercator Asset Management, LP, where he served on the Investment Committee and conducted fundamental research for the firm’s international and emerging markets value equity portfolios. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Kollannur was the Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager for Northern Trust Value Investors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Kollannur was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Medius Capital Group, an asset management start-up that specialized in international value equities. From 1996 to 2003, he served a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst for Brandes Investment Partners. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Kollannur was a Junior Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Wells Fargo Capital Management, where he specialized in research for the global telecom, media, technology and pharmaceutical sectors. Mr. Kollannur completed his MBA at the University of Houston and BA at Texas A&M University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

 

The SAI provides additional information about each Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual report.

 

Board of Trustees. The Fund is a series of the 360 Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 25, 2005. The Board of the Trust supervises the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Custodian. Fifth Third Bank (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s securities.

 

Fund Administration and Distribution. M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”) serves as the Fund’s administrator providing the Fund with administrative, accounting and compliance services. In addition, M3Sixty serves as the transfer agent and dividend-disbursing agent of the Fund. As indicated below under the caption “Investing in the Fund,” M3Sixty will handle your orders to purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund, and will disburse dividends paid by the Fund.

 

Distribution of Shares. Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter. The Distributor may sell the Fund’s Shares to or through qualified securities dealers or other approved entities. The Fund with respect to the Investor Class shares has adopted a Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 (“Distribution Plan”) under the 1940 Act. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may compensate or reimburse the Distributor for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s Investor Class shares (this compensation is commonly referred to as “12b-1 fees”). The 12b-1 fees may be paid to broker-dealers, banks and any other financial intermediary eligible to receive such fees for services provided to shareholders. The Distributor may also retain a portion of these fees as the Fund’s distributor. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan, the Fund may annually pay the Distributor up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class shares. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

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The Fund offers two classes of shares (Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares). Currently, Investor Class shares has not commenced operations. 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 the Fund. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to the expenses to which they are subject.

 

Certain Expenses. In addition to the 12b-1 fees (mentioned above) and the investment advisory fees, the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, including, 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 THE FUND

 

Minimum Initial Investment. The Fund’s Shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value. Shares may be purchased by any account managed by the Adviser, Sub-Adviser and any other institutional investor or any broker-dealer authorized to sell Shares in the Fund. The minimum initial investment for the Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund is $_____ and $_____, respectively. The Fund may, at the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept accounts with less than the minimum investment.

 

Determining the 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. The 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 the 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. The 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 Board. In determining the value of the 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 Fund normally uses 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 the 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.

 

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for notifying the Board (or the Trust’s Fair Value Committee (“Fair Value Committee”)) when it believes that fair value pricing is required for a particular security. The Fund’s policies regarding fair value pricing are intended to result in a calculation of the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The performance of the Fund may also be affected if a portfolio security’s fair value price were to differ from the security’s price using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The Board monitors and evaluates the Fund’s use of fair value pricing.

 

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Other Matters. Purchases and redemptions of Shares by the same shareholder on the same day will be netted for the Fund. All redemption requests will be processed and payment with respect thereto will normally be made within seven days after tender. The 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 the 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 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.

 

PURCHASING SHARES

 

Opening a New Account. To open an account with the 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. Currently, Investor Class shares has not commenced operations. 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.

 

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 “RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund” to:

 

360 Funds

[Name of Fund and Share Class]

c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, Kansas 66204

 

If checks are returned due to insufficient funds or other reasons, the purchase order will not be accepted. The Fund will charge the prospective investor a $20 fee for cancelled checks and may redeem Shares of the 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 the 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.

 

23 

 

Additional Investments. You may add to your account by mail or wire at any time by purchasing Shares at the then current net asset value. The minimum additional investment for any account in the Fund is $___, except under the automatic investment plan discussed below. Before adding funds by bank wire, please call the Fund 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. The Fund may, at the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept additional investments for less than the minimum additional investment.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Shareholders who have met the Fund’s minimum investment criteria may participate in the Fund’s automatic investment plan. The automatic investment plan enables shareholders to make regular monthly or quarterly investments in the Fund through automatic charges to shareholders’ checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the Fund will automatically charge the shareholder’s checking account for the amount specified ($100 minimum for each Class of shares of the Fund), which will automatically be invested in the type of shares that the shareholder holds in his or her account (Investor Class or 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 the 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), the Fund is required to obtain, verify and record information to enable the Fund to form a reasonable belief as to the identity of each customer who opens an account. Consequently, when an investor opens an account, the 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. The 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 the 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. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses incurred due to the Fund’s inability to verify the identity of any investor opening an account.

 

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 Fund’s 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.
We do not accept third party checks for any investments.
We may open accounts for less than the minimum investment or change minimum investment requirements at any time.
We may refuse to accept any purchase request for any reason or no reason.
We mail you confirmations of all your purchases or redemptions of Fund Shares.
Certificates representing Shares are not issued.

 

24 

 

Choosing a Share Class. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Investor Class and Institutional Class shares). Currently, Investor Class shares has not commenced operations. Institutional Class shares are available only to institutional investors and certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Fund. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to ongoing expenses. Neither Class of shares charges an initial or contingent deferred sales load. However, Investor Class shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets allocable to Investor Class shares. All purchases will be at the Fund’s NAV. The decision as to which class of shares of the Fund is most beneficial to you generally depends on your purchase amount, the length of time you expect to hold your investment, total operating expenses associated with each class, the platform to which you are purchasing shares, and the type of account in which you will hold the shares (e.g. retirement, taxable, etc.).

 

Exchanging Shares

 

Shares of any class of the Fund generally may be exchanged for shares of another class of any other Fund managed by the Adviser. Keep in mind if the Fund you are exchanging into charges a sales charge or a CDSC you will be expected to pay sales charge. Shares of any class of the Fund also may be acquired in exchange for shares of any other Fund managed by the Adviser without paying a sales charge or CDSC. You may make exchanges only between identically registered accounts (name(s), address, and TIN).

 

If an exchange results in opening a new account, you are subject to the applicable minimum investment requirement, sales charge and/or CDSC. All exchanges also are subject to the eligibility requirements of the Fund into which you are exchanging. The exchange privilege may be exercised only in those states where shares of the Fund may be legally sold. The Fund may also discontinue or modify the exchange privilege on a prospective basis at any time upon notice to shareholders in accordance with applicable law. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange of Fund shares for shares of another Fund is treated as a sale on which gain or loss may be recognized. Please read the prospectus of the Fund you intend to exchange into prior to initiating the exchange to ensure your complete understanding of the risks and fees and expenses of the investment.

 

If a shareholder no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the shareholder’s current share class, the Fund may, upon notice to the shareholder, convert the shareholder into a share class of the same Fund for which the shareholder is eligible.

 

Through Your Broker or other Financial Professional
Call your broker or other financial professional. Your broker or other financial professional can assist you in all the steps necessary to exchange shares. Your broker or financial professional may charge you for its services.

 

By Mail

Write a letter to request an exchange specifying the name of the fund from which you are exchanging, the registered account name(s) and address, the account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the fund into which you are exchanging.

 

The request must be signed by all of the owners of the shares including the capacity in which they are signing, if appropriate.

 

Mail your request to:

M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, Kansas 66205

 

By Telephone

If you have authorized this service, you may exchange by telephone by calling (877) 244-6235.

 

If you make a telephone exchange request, you must furnish the name of the fund from which you are exchanging, the name and address of record of the registered owner, the account number and TIN, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged, the fund into which you are exchanging, and the name of the person making the request.

 

 

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Redeeming Shares

 

Regular Mail Redemptions. Regular mail redemption requests should be addressed to:

 

360 Funds

[Name of Fund and Share Class]

c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, Kansas 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;

 

(2)       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, the 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.

 

The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. The 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, the 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, the 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.

 

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Telephone and Bank Wire Redemptions. Unless you specifically decline the telephone transaction privileges on your account application, you may redeem Shares of the Fund by calling (877) 244-6235. The Fund may rely upon confirmation of redemption requests transmitted via facsimile (Fax# (816) 817-3267). The confirmation instructions must include the following:

 

(1)Name of Fund;
(2)Shareholder name(s) and account number;
(3)Number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;
(4)Instructions for transmittal of redemption funds to the shareholder; and
(5)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). The 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 the 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 the 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. The 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.

 

Minimum Account Size. Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining small accounts, the 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). The 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 the Fund may, at its discretion, liquidate the account.

 

Redemptions In Kind. The 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, in consultation with the Sub-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 Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem its 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

 

27 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

 

Purchases and Redemptions through Securities Firms. The 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 the Fund. In addition, orders will be deemed to have been received by the 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 the 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. The 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 the Fund.

 

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 the 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, the 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. The Fund may modify or terminate these telephone privileges at any time.

 

Disruptive Trading and Market Timing. The 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 the 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:

 

an adverse effect on portfolio management, as determined by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser in their 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

 

reducing returns to long-term shareholders through increased brokerage and administrative expenses.

 

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, the Fund may monitor trading activity by shareholders and take specific steps to prevent Disruptive Trading. In general, the 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 Fund reserves 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 the Fund determines that the shareholder or potential shareholder has engaged in more than one roundtrip transaction in the Fund within any rolling 30-day period.

 

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In determining the frequency of roundtrip transactions, the Fund does not include purchases pursuant to dollar cost averaging or other similar programs, and the Fund will not count systematic withdrawals and/or automatic purchases, mandatory retirement distributions, and transactions initiated by a plan sponsor. The 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, the Fund may also take action if a shareholder’s trading activity (evaluated based on roundtrip trading or otherwise) is deemed Disruptive Trading by the Fund, even if applicable Shares are held longer than 30 days. In addition, the Fund may, without prior notice, take whatever action it deems appropriate to comply with or take advantage of any state or federal regulatory requirement. The Fund also imposes a redemption fee, which should help discourage Disruptive Trading in Fund Shares.

 

The Fund cannot guarantee that its policies and procedures regarding market timing will be effective in detecting and deterring all Disruptive Trading.

 

Redemption Fee: The Fund will deduct a 2.00% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares within 30 days of purchase. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 2.00% fee. Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.

 

Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:

redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
certain types of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares owned through participant-directed retirement plans;
redemptions or exchanges in discretionary asset allocation, fee based or wrap programs (“wrap programs”) that are initiated by the sponsor/financial advisor as part of a periodic rebalancing;
redemptions or exchanges in a fee based or wrap program that are made as a result of a full withdrawal from the wrap program or as part of a systematic withdrawal plan;
involuntary redemptions, such as those resulting from a shareholder’s failure to maintain a minimum investment in the Fund, or to pay shareholder fees; or
other types of redemptions as the Adviser or the Trust may determine in special situations and approved by the Fund’s or the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the 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 the Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its income and gains to its shareholders every year. Dividends paid by the Fund derived from net investment income, if any, will generally be paid annually and capital gains 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 Fund. Although the 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.

 

29 

 

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 the Fund will be designated as qualified dividend income. If the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund as qualifying for the DRD.

 

If the 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 Fund shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and may be subject to tax.

 

As with all mutual funds, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the fourth lowest rate for taxpayers filing as unmarried individuals (presently 28%) 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.

 

At the time this prospectus was prepared, there were various legislative proposals under consideration that would amend the Internal Revenue Code. At this time, though, it is not possible to determine whether any of these proposals will become law and how these changes might affect the Fund or its shareholders.

 

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 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. The Fund has chosen Average Cost as its 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. The 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 the 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.

 

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For those securities defined as “covered” under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The 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.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.

 

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Privacy Notice

 

FACTS WHAT DOES 360 FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
 
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.
 
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.

 
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.
   

Reasons we can share your personal information Does 360 Funds share? Can you limit this sharing?

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

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share
     
Questions? Call (877) 244-6235

 

32 

 

   
Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

360 Funds

M3Sixty Administration, LLC (Administrator)

Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

What we do

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.

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.

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.

   
Definitions
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.

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.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

360 Funds does not jointly market.

33 

 

RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund

 

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. A statement of additional information (“SAI”) about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SAI (which is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this Prospectus) contains additional information about the Fund.

 

To request a free copy of the SAI, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Fund, or to make inquiries about the Fund, write the Fund at RVX Emerging Markets Fund c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 or call the Fund at (877) 244-6235.

 

Information about the 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 Fund 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.

 

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21726

 

 

 

RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund

 

Investor Class (Ticker Symbol: _______)

Institutional Shares (Ticker Symbol: _______)

 

a series of the

 

360 Funds

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

______________, 2018

 

The RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund is a series of 360 Funds, an open-end management diversified investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus dated _______________, 2018, as the same may be amended from time to time. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235 or writing to the Fund at the following address: 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.

 

 

RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS 1
General Investment Risks 1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 23
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION 24
Brokerage Selection 25
Aggregated Trades 25
Portfolio Turnover 26
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE 26
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST 27
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 28
Trustees and Officers 28
Board Structure 30
Qualification of Trustees 31
Trustee Standing Committees 32
Fair Value Committee 32
Beneficial Equity Ownership Information 32
Compensation 33
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 34
Investment Adviser 34
Sub-Adviser 34
Portfolio Managers 36
Administrator 37
Distributor 37
Custodian 38
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 38
Legal Counsel 38
CODE OF ETHICS 38
PROXY VOTING POLICIES 38
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 38
Purchases 38

 

 

 

Redemptions 39
Additional Information 40
NET ASSET VALUE 41
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION 42
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES 53

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS

 

360 Funds (the “Trust”) was organized on February 25, 2005 as a Delaware statutory trust. The RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is an open-end management investment company and a separate diversified 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 the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategy, as well as the principal investment risks of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment adviser is Crow Point Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”).

 

The Fund’s sub-adviser is RVX Asset Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

The following descriptions and policies supplement these descriptions and also include descriptions of certain types of investments that may be made by the Fund but are not necessarily principal investment strategies of the Fund.

 

General Investment Risks. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and their risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

Equity Securities. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

 

Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

 

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the fixed income securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

 

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.

 

Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”). A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. The loans generate cash flow that is allocated among one or more classes of securities (“tranches”) that vary in risk and yield. The most senior tranche has the best credit quality and the lowest yield compared to the other tranches. The equity tranche has the highest potential yield but also has the greatest risk, as it bears the bulk of defaults from the underlying loans and helps to protect the more senior tranches from risk of these defaults. However, despite the protection from the equity and other more junior tranches, more senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults and decreased market value due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.

 

1

 

Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold and are not registered under state or federal securities laws. Therefore, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs allowing a CLO to qualify for transactions pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. CLOs normally charge management fees and administrative expenses, which are in addition to those of the Fund.

 

The riskiness of investing in CLOs depends largely on the quality and type of the collateral loans and the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed-income securities (such as interest rate risk and credit risk), CLOs carry additional risks including that interest on certain tranches of a CLO may be paid in-kind (meaning that unpaid interest is effectively added to principal), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments. Certain CLOs may receive credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, over-collateralization or bond insurance, but such enhancement may not always be present and may fail to protect the Fund against the risk of loss due to defaults on the collateral. Certain CLOs may not hold loans directly, but rather, use derivatives such as swaps to create “synthetic” exposure to the collateral pool of loans. Such CLOs entail the risks of derivative instruments.

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.

 

Depositary Receipts. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) as well as other “hybrid” forms of ADRs, including Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends interest and shareholder information regarding corporate actions. ADRs may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a depositary. An unsponsored facility may be established by a depositary without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer’s country.

 

Warrants. Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.

 

2

 

Fixed Income Securities. Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Current market conditions may pose heightened risks for fixed income securities. Current interest rates are at or near historic lows, and as the Federal Reserve Board has begun tapering its quantitative easing program and in December of 2015 raised the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates will rise. Future increases in interest rates could result in less liquidity and greater volatility of fixed income securities. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. Moreover, new regulations applicable to and changing business practices of financial intermediaries that make markets in fixed income securities may result in those financial intermediaries restricting their market making activities for certain fixed income securities, which may reduce the liquidity and increase the volatility for such fixed income securities.

 

Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its fixed income securities may become impaired.

 

The corporate fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances. The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.

 

3

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

 

Commercial Paper. The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. See Appendix B for more information on ratings assigned to commercial paper.

 

High Yield Securities

 

Greater Risk of Loss

 

These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by the Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

 

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes

 

The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although noninvestment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.

 

Valuation Difficulties

 

It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.

 

Liquidity

 

There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

 

4

 

Credit Quality

 

Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

 

New Legislation

 

Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.

 

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

 

Straight fixed income securities

 

These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

 

Zero-coupon debt securities

 

These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

 

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities

 

These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities.

 

Pay-in-kind bonds

 

These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act “), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

 

Convertible Securities

 

These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

 

Preferred Stock

 

These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

 

Loan Participations and Assignments

 

These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries (“LDCs”).

 

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Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings

 

In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

 

Distressed Securities

 

An investment in distressed securities may involve a substantial degree of risk. These instruments, which involve loans, loan participations, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub-performing mortgage loans typically are unrated, lower-rated, in default or close to default. Many of these instruments are not publicly traded, and may become illiquid. The prices of such instruments may be extremely volatile. Securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than the securities of more financially stable companies. Valuing such instruments may be difficult, and the Fund may lose all of its investment, or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment. Issuers of distressed securities are typically in a weak financial condition and may default, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.

 

Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Sub-Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.

 

Insured Bank Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.

 

United States Government Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.

 

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United States Government Agency

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Farmer’s Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

 

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

 

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) are described as “modified pass-through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

 

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The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by Ginnie Mae, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

 

Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved sellers/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

 

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned by stockholders. Freddie Mac issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

 

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities.

 

Resets. The interest rates paid on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities (“ARMs”) in which the Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost-of-funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury Note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

 

Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages that collateralize the ARMs in which the Fund may invest will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which the Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.

 

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Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Private mortgage pass-through securities, also known as “non-agency mortgage securities”, are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

 

Mortgage assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities; hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer mortgage assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. The Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

 

Stripped Mortgage Securities. Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by federal agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

 

Stripped mortgage securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution of a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the mortgage assets underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on a PO or an IO class security is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A slower than expected rate of principal payments may have an adverse effect on a PO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience slower than anticipated principal repayment, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an IO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.

 

The Fund may purchase stripped mortgage securities for income, or for hedging purposes to protect the Fund’s portfolio against interest rate fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of other fixed income securities in a rising interest rate environment.

 

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Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters constitute a class of mortgage-backed securities with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or 11th District Cost of Funds Index (“COFI”). Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate on an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. In some circumstances, the coupon on an inverse floater could decrease to zero. In addition, like most other fixed income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase and their average lives will extend. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of mortgage-backed securities. In addition, some inverse floaters display extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. As described above, inverse floaters may be used alone or in tandem with interest-only stripped mortgage instruments.

 

Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which the Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While the Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until a future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and is considered to be a form of borrowing.

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. The Fund’s investments in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying funds.

 

Closed-End Investment Companies. The Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. The Fund may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.

 

The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.

 

The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

 

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The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.

 

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

Open-End Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. The Fund and its “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Sub-Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s total assets. Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Sub-Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.

 

Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the Sub-Adviser. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.

 

Exchange Traded Funds. ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

Derivative Instruments. The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities and futures indices and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies, interest rates and securities indices. The Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment strategies. The Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Fund as described below.

 

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The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Sub-Adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the Fund’s Sub-Adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.

 

Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if the Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

P-notes. The Fund may invest in participatory notes (commonly known as P-notes), which are offshore derivative instruments issued to foreign institutional investors and their sub-accounts against underlying Indian securities listed on the Indian bourses. These securities are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Participatory notes are similar to ADRs and the risks of investing in participatory notes are similar to those with respect to securities of foreign issuers in general.

 

Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts. Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Sub-Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

 

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Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures. The Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid securities with its custodian or a designated subcustodian to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

 

For example, when entering into a futures contract that will be cash settled, the Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the mark-to-market amount, if any, owed by the Fund on the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not need to be settled in cash, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark to market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund or by entering into an agreement that enables the Fund to settle such futures contracts in cash.

 

To the extent the Fund writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Fund in accordance with procedures established by the Board, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Also, the Fund does not invest more than 25% of its assets in contracts with any one counterparty.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

 

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.

 

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The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

 

The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The Sub-Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by the Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, the Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.

 

While the Sub-Adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The Sub-Adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.

 

Securities Options. The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

 

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

 

The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described in the Cover Requirements section, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

 

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If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

 

Stock Index Options. Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.

 

Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

 

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Sub-Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

 

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities 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 cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

 

Certain Risks Regarding Options. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. There are several risks associated with transactions in options. 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 its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

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Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

 

Dealer Options and Exchange-Traded Options. The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

 

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

 

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The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change its treatment of such instruments accordingly.

 

Spread Transactions. The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Sub-Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act. The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund illiquid investment limitations. The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Sub-Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.

 

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The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Sub-Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments. The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

 

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

 

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market. The Fund’s Sub-Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Fund’s transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

Credit Default Swaps. In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. The Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

 

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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps. The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards, OTC foreign exchange options and swaptions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

 

Trading in Futures Contracts. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made.

 

Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.

 

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid 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 margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

 

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index 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 the 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.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

 

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Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.

 

For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.

 

Over-the-Counter Instruments. The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects the Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

 

The Fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.

 

Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use. In February 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject advisers to certain registered investment companies to registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if an investment company is unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. These rules became effective on January 1, 2013. In order to comply with these regulatory changes adopted by the CFTC, the Fund’s Sub-Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of CPO and, therefore, is not subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act. However, it is possible that the Sub-Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements may increase Fund expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

 

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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 the 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.

 

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements. The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account as discussed in the Cover Requirements section. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

 

The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Sub-Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

 

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

 

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

 

Illiquid and Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

 

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Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.

 

Under guidelines adopted by the Trust’s Board, the Sub-Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Sub-Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Sub-Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Sub-Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.

 

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Sub-Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

 

Lending Portfolio Securities. For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. In anticipation of or in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in cash, cash equivalents and short-term U.S. government securities. If the Fund were to take a temporary defensive position, it may be unable for a time to achieve its investment objective.

 

22

 

Cyber Security Risks. The Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Fund or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholders transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAVs, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risks management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

Fundamental Restrictions. The Fund has adopted the following “fundamental restrictions,” which cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund. A “majority” for this purpose means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s outstanding 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.

 

1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except: (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made.

 

2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by a Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.

 

3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

 

4. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

 

5. Commodities. The Fund may invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund. This restriction shall not prohibit the Fund, subject to restrictions described in the Prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information, from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, hybrid instruments, or any interest rate or securities-related or foreign currency-related hedging instrument, including swap agreements and other derivative instruments, subject to compliance with applicable provisions of federal securities or commodities laws.

 

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6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except: (a) by loaning portfolio securities; (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements; or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

 

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

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

 

1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

 

2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.

 

3. Margin Purchases. The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.” This limitation is not applicable to short-term credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investment techniques.

 

4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.

 

5. Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result: (i) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after and as the result of such purchase would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.

 

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

 

Subject to the general supervision of the Adviser and Trustees, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for, making decisions with respect to, and places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement by and between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Sub-Adviser serves as investment adviser for a number of client accounts, including the Fund. Investment decisions for the 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 Sub-Adviser.

 

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Brokerage Selection. In selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Sub-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 Sub-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 Sub-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 Sub-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 Sub-Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that promote or sell the 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.

 

Under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and as provided in the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to cause the 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 Sub-Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Sub-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 Sub-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 may be available to the Sub-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 Sub-Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than a Fund and not all such services may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Sub-Adviser’s own investment information in rendering services to the Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to reduce materially the expenses of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its services under the Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the management fees payable to the Sub-Adviser by a Fund.

 

The 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. The 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 Sub-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.

 

Aggregated Trades. While investment decisions for the Fund are made independently of the Sub-Adviser’s other client accounts, the Sub-Adviser’s other client accounts may invest in the same securities as a Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Sub-Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the 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 the 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 Sub-Adviser believes to be equitable to the 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 the Fund.

 

25

 

Portfolio Turnover. The annualized portfolio turnover rate for the 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 the 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 the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor in making Fund decisions, and the Fund may engage in short-term trading to achieve its investment objective. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not begun operations.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted policies to govern the circumstances under which disclosure regarding securities held by the 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 the 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 the Fund’s Portfolio Securities is made quarterly through the Fund’s 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 the 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 the 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.

 

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, sub-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 such as FilePoint EDGAR Services 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund, and whether the arrangement will adversely affect the Trust, the 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.

 

26

 

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, sub-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 the Fund.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

 

The Trust, which is a statutory trust organized under Delaware law on February 25, 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 11 series of shares.

 

The Fund offers two classes of shares (Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares). Currently, Investor Class has not commenced operations. Investor Class shares will be available for purchase by all investors that satisfy the investment minimums. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to ongoing expenses. The number of shares in the Trust shall be unlimited. The Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, shares of the 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 the 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 in a 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 written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (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.

 

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. It also provides that all third parties shall look solely to the Trust property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. 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.

 

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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 Fund. The Trustees approve all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and those companies that furnish services to the Fund; review performance of the Fund; and oversee activities of the Fund. 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 Fund.

 

Trustees and Officers. Following are the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their year of birth, their present position with the Trust or the Fund, 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 the Trust, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, are indicated in the table. The address of each trustee and officer is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.

 

Name and

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Length

of Service

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Series

Overseen

Other

Directorships

During Past 5

Years

Independent Trustees
Arthur Falk:  1937 Trustee and Independent Chairman Since 2011 Retired. President, Murray Hill Financial Marketing (financial marketing consultant) (1990-2012) 11 None
Thomas Krausz:  1944 Trustee  Since 2011 Mr. Krausz has been an independent management consultant to private enterprises since 2007. 11 None
Tom M. Wirtshafter:  1954 Trustee  Since 2011 Senior Vice President, American Portfolios Financial Services, (broker-dealer), American Portfolios Advisors (investment adviser) (2009-present). 11 None

 

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Name and

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Length

of Service

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Series

Overseen

Other

Directorships

During Past

5 Years

Gary DiCenzo:  1962 Trustee Since 2014 Chief Executive Officer, Cognios Capital (investment management firm) (2015-present); President and CEO, IMC Group, LLC (asset management firm consultant) (2010-2015). 11 None
Interested Trustee*
Randall K. Linscott:  1971 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). 11 N/A
Officers
András P. Teleki: 1971 Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary Since 2015 Chief Legal Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC, M3Sixty Holdings, LLC, Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and M3Sixty Advisors, LLC (2015–present); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2016– present); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, WP Trust (2016- present); Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, Capital Management Investment Trust (2015–present); Partner, K&L Gates, (2009–2015). N/A N/A
Brandon J. Byrd:  1981 Assistant Secretary and AML Officer Since 2013 Chief Operating Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2013-present); Anti-Money  Laundering Compliance Officer, Monteagle Funds (2015-2016); Division Manager - Client Service Officer, Boston Financial Data Services (mutual find service provider) (2010-2012) N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Name and

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Length

of Service

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Series

Overseen

Other

Directorships

During Past

5 Years

Justin J. Thompson: 1983 Treasurer Since 2017 Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2017-present); Treasurer, WP Trust (2017-present); Treasurer, Capital Management Investment Trust (2017-present); Treasurer, 360 Funds (2017-present); Officer of Fund Accounting – State Street Bank & Trust (2009-2016). N/A N/A
Larry E. Beaver, Jr.:  1969 Assistant Treasurer Since July 2017 Fund Accounting, Administration and Tax Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2017 to present); Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2005-2017). Chief Accounting Officer, Amidex Funds, Inc. (2003-present); Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Capital Management Investment Trust (2008-2017). Treasurer, 360 Funds (2007-2017); Treasurer, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2015-2017); Treasurer, WP Trust (2015-2017); Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Monteagle Funds (2008-2016) N/A N/A
John H. Lively: 1969 Assistant Secretary Since 2017 Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm) (2010-present). N/A N/A

 

*Mr. Linscott is an Interested Trustee because he is Chief Executive Officer and principal owner of M3Sixty Administration, LLC, the Fund’s administrator and transfer agent.

 

Board Structure

 

The Trust's Board of Trustees includes four 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 Fund. During these meetings, the Board receives reports from the Fund's administrator, transfer agent and distributor, and Trust management, including the Trust's President, Mr. Linscott, and the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer, Mr. Teleki, 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 Committee and a Proxy Voting Committee (discussed in more detail below). Each of these Committees is comprised entirely of independent Trustees.

 

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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:

 

Independent Trustees

 

Art Falk For over 20 years, Mr. Falk was the President of Murray Hill Financial Marketing, a financial marketing consulting firm, and now serves as its Senior Vice President. Murray Hill provides consulting services on the development of mutual funds and similar investment products.
Thomas Krausz Mr. Krausz has held numerous consulting and management positions, including as Chief Technology Officer for IDT Ventures, which provides venture capital and business development resources for domestic and international companies. Prior to his experience at IDT Ventures, Mr. Krausz was President of Mentorcom Services Inc., a consulting and services company focusing on networking and web development, and spent more than 20 years as an employee and then officer of IMI Systems, Inc., a computer consulting services company.
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 DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo is 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.
Interested Trustee
Randall 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.

 

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.

 

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Trustee Standing Committees. The Trustees have established the following standing committees:

 

Audit Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee, with Mr. Wirtshafter serving as the Audit Committee Chair and financial expert. The Audit Committee oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Fund’s financial statements, and interacts with the Fund’s independent auditors 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 did not meet with respect to the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Nominating Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee nominates, selects and appoints independent trustees to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees and to stand for election at meeting of the shareholders of the Trust. The Nominating Committee generally will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Trust. The Nominating Committee meets only as necessary and did not meet with respect to the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Proxy Voting Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee will determine how the Fund should cast its vote, if called upon by the Board or the Sub-Adviser, when a matter with respect to which the Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s Sub-Adviser, principal underwriter or an affiliated person of the 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 with respect to the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Fair Value Committee. In addition to the foregoing Committees established by the Board, the Trust has also established a Fair Value Committee. Art Falk, András Teleki and Larry Beaver are members 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 Fund 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 the Fund on a daily basis to determine the appropriate value for such restricted security. The Fair Value Committee did not meet with respect to the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

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, 2017 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.

 

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Name of Director

 

 

 

 

Dollar Range

of Equity

Securities in

the Fund

Aggregate

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment

Companies Overseen

by Director in Family of

Investment Companies

Independent Trustees
Art Falk RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund A A
Thomas Krausz RVX Emerging Markets Equity  Fund A A
Tom M. Wirtshafter RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund A A
Gary DiCenzo RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund A A
Interested Trustee
Randall K. Linscott RVX Emerging Markets Equity  Fund A A

 

As of ___________, 2018, 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 the Fund. As of the date of this SAI, no person is known by the Trust to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Compensation. Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Trust, the Adviser or Sub-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 Capital Group and M3Sixty Administration LLC. Each Trustee who is not an "interested person" receives a fee of $1,000 each year plus $125 per Board or committee meeting attended in person and $100 per meeting attended by telephone. Effective December 16, 2015, each Trustee who is not an “interested person” receives a fee of $1,500 each year plus $200 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.

 

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Name of Trustee*

 Aggregate

Compensation

from the RVX

Emerging Markets

Equity Fund *

Pension or

Retirement Benefits

Accrued As Part

of Fund Expenses

Estimated

Annual Benefits

Upon Retirement

Total Compensation

From Fund and Fund Complex Paid

to Trustees**

Independent Trustees
Art Falk None None None $____________
Thomas Krausz None None None $____________
Tom M. Wirtshafter None None None $____________
Gary DiCenzo None None None $____________
Interested Trustee
Randall K. Linscott None None None None

 

*Figures are as of the date of this SAI.
**Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee to the 11 funds of the Trust.

 

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

 

Investment Adviser. Crow Point Partners LLC, located at 25 Recreation Park Dr., Suite 206, Hingham, MA 02043, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Crow Point was established in 2006 and serves primarily individual investors, financial advisers and registered investment companies. As of ___________, 2018 it had approximately $____ million in asset under management. The Adviser is principally owned and controlled by its two Managing Members/Managing Directors, Timothy P. O’Brien and Peter J. DeCaprio.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser reviews, supervises, and administers the Fund’s investment program, subject to the oversight of, and policies established by, the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund’s sub-adviser(s), subject to approval by the Board. The Adviser selects a sub-adviser that has shown good investment performance in its areas of expertise. The Adviser considers various factors in evaluating a sub-adviser, including:

 

level of knowledge and skill;

performance as compared to its peers or benchmark;

level of compliance with investment rules and strategies;

employees’ facilities and financial strength; and

quality of service.

 

The Adviser will continually monitor the Sub-Adviser’s performance through various analyses and through in-person, telephone, and written consultations with the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser discusses its expectations for performance with the Sub-Adviser and provides evaluations and recommendations to the Board, including whether or not the Sub-Adviser’s contract should be renewed, modified, or terminated.

 

The Adviser is also responsible for running all of the operations of the Fund, except those that are subcontracted to the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, administrative agent, or other parties. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an investment advisory fee from the Fund at an annualized rate 0.90%, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser pays a sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Adviser from its advisory fee.

 

The following table sets forth the annual advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 


FUND
TOTAL
ADVISORY FEE
RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund 0.90%

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, through at least _______, 2021, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (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 Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) do not exceed 1.35% and 1.35% of the average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares, respectively, through _______, 2021, subject to the Adviser’s right to recoup payments on a rolling three-year basis so long as the payment would not exceed the agreed upon expense caps. 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. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and boost its performance. 

 

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Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled (“The Distributor”), (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Trust may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of its shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders, (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business, and (m) dividend expense on securities sold short.

 

The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

In addition, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in carrying out its duties, but shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.

 

Sub-Adviser. RVX Asset Management, LLC, located at 20900 NE 30th Street, Suite 401, Aventura, Florida 33180, serves as sub-adviser to the Fund. RVX was founded in August 2015.

 

The Adviser has selected the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s assets. This selection was approved by the Board of Trustees. The Sub-Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund, and continuously review, supervise and administer the Fund’s overall investment program, subject to the oversight of, and policies established by, the Board.

 

The sub-advisory agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.

 

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For its respective services, the Sub-Adviser receives a fee from the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser’s fee is accrued daily and paid monthly, based on the Fund’s average net assets during the current month. The Adviser pays sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser from its advisory fee. The compensation of any officer, director, or employee of the Sub-Adviser is paid by the Sub-Adviser.

 

The Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Sub-Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding shares. The Sub-Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

In addition, the Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in carrying out its duties, but shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.

 

Portfolio Managers. Ms. Cindy New and Mr. Robin Kollannur serve as Portfolio Managers of the Fund. As of the date of this SAI, they were responsible for the management of the following types of accounts in addition to Fund:

 

Performance-Based Fees Non-Performance-Based Fees
Portfolio Manager Account Type Number of Accounts

Total

Assets

Number of Accounts

Total

Assets

Cindy New Registered Investment Company

0

0

0

0

  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

0 0 0
  Other Accounts 0 0 0 0
           
Robin Kollannur Registered Investment Company 0 0 0 0
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts 0 0 0 0

 

Conflicts of Interest. The Sub-Adviser manages assets for other pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts. Accordingly, potential conflicts of interest may be present. For example, the Sub-Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received from the Fund, or receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, a Portfolio Manager may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, to the extent that a Portfolio Manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts and the order is only partially filled, the Sub-Adviser has an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest. These policies and procedures will have the effect of foreclosing certain investment opportunities for the Fund from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser will act in the best interest of the Fund in accordance with its fiduciary duty to the Fund.

 

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Compensation. As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers are paid a base salary as well as incentive compensation for their roles as managing partners of the Sub-Adviser.

 

Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, no shares of the Fund were outstanding and the Portfolio Managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Fund.

 

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.

 

Distributor. Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC acts as the principal underwriter and distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares for the purpose of facilitating the registration of shares of the Fund under state securities laws and to assist in sales of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “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 Fund 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 Fund. Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis. The distribution agreement between the Fund and the Distributor requires the Distributor to use all reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares. However, the Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific number of shares and will only sell shares for orders it receives. Under the Distribution Agreement the Distributor shall be paid for the Fund an annual fee of $9,000 and shall receive an annualized amount equal to 2.5bp (0.025%) of the average net assets of the Fund for $0 or greater.

 

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (see “Administration – Distribution of Shares” in the Prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions and Special Shareholder Services – Additional Information” below). As required by Rule 12b-1, the Plan (together with the Distribution Agreement) was approved by the Trustees and separately by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan and the Distribution Agreement. The Plan provides that the Trust’s Treasurer shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures. The continuation of the Plan must be considered by the Trustees annually.

 

Potential benefits of the Plan to the Fund include improved shareholder services and savings to the Fund in certain operating expenses. It is anticipated that the Plan will benefit shareholders because an effective sales program typically is necessary in order for the Fund to reach and maintain a sufficient size to achieve efficiently investment objectives and to realize economies of scale.

 

Under the Plan, the Fund may use 12b-1 fees to compensate broker-dealers (including, without limitation, the Distributor) for sales of Fund shares, or for other expenses associated with distributing Fund shares. The Fund may expend up to 0.25% for Investor Class shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets annually to pay for any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Fund and the servicing of shareholder accounts, provided that the Trustees have approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects sales of Fund shares to involve a payment to broker-dealers. As of the date of this SAI, no 12b-1 fees have been accrued and/or paid.

 

37

 

Custodian. Fifth Third Bank (“Custodian”), 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, serves as custodian for the Fund’s assets. The Custodian acts as the depository for the Fund, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect to portfolio securities, disburses monies at the Fund’s request and maintains records in connection with its duties as Custodian.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Trustees have selected the firm ____________, ___________, __________, Pennsylvania 19103, to serve as independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the current fiscal year and to audit the annual financial statements of the Fund, prepare the Fund’s federal, state and excise tax returns, and consult with the Fund on matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation.

 

Independent registered public accounting firm will audit the financial statements of the Fund 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. The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc., a member firm of The 1940 Act Law GroupTM located at 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the independent Trustees.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-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, the Sub-Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (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, Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s codes require that portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the code of ethics.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

The Trust has adopted a proxy voting and disclosure policy that delegates to the Sub-Adviser the authority to vote proxies for the Fund, subject to oversight of the Trustees. Copies of the Trust’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy and the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are included as Appendix A to this SAI.

 

Each year the Fund is required to file Form N-PX stating how the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund’s two classes of shares, Investor Class and Institutional Class, and their respective fees and expenses. The Prospectus also describes the Fund’s automatic investment plan and certain rights reserved by the Fund with respect to orders for Fund shares. The following information supplements the information regarding share purchases in the Prospectus:

 

38

 

Pricing of Orders. Shares of the Fund will be offered and sold on a continuous basis. The purchase price of shares of the 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. Neither Class of shares is subject to an initial or contingent sales load.

 

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 the 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. The 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 Sub-Adviser based upon the suitability of the securities accepted for inclusion as a long-term investment of the Fund, the marketability of such securities, and other factors that the Sub-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.

 

Share Certificates. The Fund normally does not issue stock certificates. Evidence of ownership of shares is provided through entry in the Fund’s 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 Fund should refer to the Prospectus for information regarding redeeming shares by mail, telephone/fax or bank wire. The Prospectus also describes the Fund’s policy regarding accounts that fall below the Fund’s required minimums, redemptions in kind, signature guarantees and other information about the Fund’s redemption policies. The following information supplements the information regarding share redemptions in the Prospectus:

 

Suspension of Redemption Privileges and Postponement of Payment. The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment (i) during any period that the New York Stock Exchange (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 the 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. The 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 the Fund. No charge is made by the Fund for redemptions other than the possible charge for wiring redemption proceeds and/or any applicable redemption fees. For information on the Fund’s redemption fee, see “Additional Information about Purchases and Redemptions – Redemption Fees” in the Prospectus.

 

Involuntary Redemptions. In addition to the situations described in the Prospectus under “Redeeming Shares,” the Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or 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.

 

39

 

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 Fund at (877) 244-6235.

 

Transfer of Registration. To transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to the Fund 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 Fund.

 

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.

 

Plan under Rule 12b-1. As discussed in the “Management and Administration – Distributor” section above, the Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act for the Fund. Under the Plan, the Fund may pay for services related to the distribution of shares of the Fund with up to 0.25% of the Fund’s assets on an annual basis for Investor Class shares. The Trustees will take into account the expenditures for purposes of reviewing operations under the Plan and in connection with their annual consideration of renewal of the Plan. The Distributor has indicated that it expects its expenditures to include, without limitation: (a) the printing and mailing of Fund prospectuses, statements of additional information, any supplements thereto and shareholder reports for prospective shareholders with respect to shares of the Fund; (b) those relating to the development, preparation, printing and mailing of advertisements, sales literature and other promotional materials describing and/or relating to shares of the Fund; (c) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund; (d) training sales personnel regarding the shares of the Fund; and (e) financing any activity that the Distributor determines is primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Under the Plan, the Distributor is compensated regardless of its out-of-pocket expenditures. The Fund does not participate in any joint distribution activities with other investment companies nor is the Fund aware of any interested person of the Fund or any director who is not an interested person of the Fund having any direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or related agreements.

 

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 the 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 the 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 the Fund or its shareholders although the Distributor may use a portion of the payment it receives under the Distribution Plan to pay these expenses.

 

Additional Information About Redemptions. The right to redeem shares of the 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 the 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 the respective initial minimum investment requirement. Prior to such 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.

 

40

 

The Fund does 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 the 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 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 the 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 the Fund will not be calculated.

 

In computing the 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 the Fund outstanding at the time of the valuation and the result is the net asset value per share of the 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 the 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 the Fund.

 

Securities that are listed on an exchange and which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the bid 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.

 

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 the Fund and the allocable portion of any general assets are conclusive. As described in the Prospectus, the Sub-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 the 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 the 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, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Fund’s fair valued prices are not accurate, and that the fair value price is not reflective of the value the 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 Fund 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 Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the 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 Fund.

 

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 Fund 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 the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);

 

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;

 

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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 the 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 the 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 the Fund’s shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

 

Taxation as a RIC. The Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, they meet the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the 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 the 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 35% 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, the 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. Such cure right is similar to that previously and currently permitted for a REIT.

 

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 35%) 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 the 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 35%). The 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.

 

The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of their undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if they fail 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. The Fund generally intend 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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The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which they do 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund will qualify as RICs for each taxable year.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the 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 the 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 the 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, the 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 the Fund from their 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, the 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. The 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 the 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 the 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.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the 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.

 

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Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the 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 35%, 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.

 

The 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. The 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 the 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, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not "covered." The 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.

 

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 the Fund.

 

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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 the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

If the 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 the 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.

 

Equity investments by the 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.”

 

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Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

 

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.

 

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

 

The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The Sub-Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by the Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, the Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.

 

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While the Sub-Adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The Sub-Adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.

 

Foreign Taxation. Income received by the 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 the 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.

 

The 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 Funds 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 the 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 the 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.

 

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If the 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.

 

In addition, if the 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 the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Fund does 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. The 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 the 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.

 

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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.

 

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 the 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.

 

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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.

 

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. The 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 the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

Possible Federal Tax Legislation. At the time that this SAI is being prepared, there are various legislative proposals under consideration that would amend the Internal Revenue Code. At this time, it is not possible to determine whether any of these proposals will become law and how such changes might affect the Fund or its shareholders.

 

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APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

The following proxy voting policies are provided:

 

(1) the Trust’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy and

(2) the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy.

 

(1)PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR 360 FUNDS

 

I.Introduction

 

Effective April 14, 2003, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) to require registered management investment companies to provide disclosure about how they vote proxies for their portfolio securities (collectively, the rule and form amendments are referred to herein as the “IC Amendments”).

 

The IC Amendments require that the Trust and each Fund disclose the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies for portfolio securities. The IC Amendments also require each Fund to file with the SEC and to make available to their shareholders the specific proxy votes cast for portfolio securities.

 

This Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (“Policy”) is designed to ensure that each Fund complies with the requirements of the IC Amendments, and otherwise fulfills its obligations with respect to proxy voting, disclosure, and recordkeeping. The overall goal is to ensure that each Fund’s proxy voting is managed in an effort to act in the best interests of its shareholders. While decisions about how to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis, proxy voting decisions will be made considering these guidelines and following the procedures recited herein.

 

II.Specific Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A.General

 

The Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) believes 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 each Fund are committed to voting corporate proxies in the manner that best serves the interests of each Fund’s shareholders.

 

B.Delegation to Fund’s Sub-Adviser

 

The Board believes that the Sub-Adviser, as each Fund’s investment adviser, is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for each Fund consistent with this Policy. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, the Sub-Adviser is hereby delegated the following duties:

 

(1)to make the proxy voting decisions for each Fund; and
(2)to assist each Fund in disclosing each Fund’s proxy voting record as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act, including providing the following information for each matter with respect to which each Fund was 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 each Fund cast its vote; and (d) whether each Fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees of the Board, shall approve the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (“Sub-Adviser’s Voting Policy”) as it relates to each Fund. The Board shall also approve any material changes to the Sub-Adviser’s Voting Policy no later than four (4) months after adoption by Sub-Adviser.

 

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C.Conflicts

 

In cases where a matter with respect to which each Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of each Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of each Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of each Fund, its investment adviser or principal underwriter, on the other hand, each Fund shall always vote in the best interest of each Fund’s shareholders. For purposes of this Policy a vote shall be considered in the best interest of each Fund’s shareholders (i) when a vote is cast consistent with a specific voting policy as set forth in the Sub-Adviser’s Voting Policy, provided such specific voting policy was approved by the Board or (ii) when a vote is cast consistent with the decision of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Committee (as defined below).

 

III.Fund Disclosure

 

A.Disclosure of Fund Policies and Procedures With Respect to Voting Proxies Relating to Portfolio Securities

 

Each Fund shall disclose this Policy, or a description of the policies and procedures of this Policy, to its shareholders in its Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) on Form N-1A. Each Fund will notify shareholders in the SAI and each Fund’s shareholder reports that a description of this Policy is available upon request, without charge, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number, by reviewing each Fund’s website, if applicable, and by reviewing filings available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Each Fund will send this description of each Fund’s Policy within three business days of receipt of any shareholder request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

B.Disclosure of each Fund’s Complete Proxy Voting Record

 

In accordance with Rule 30b1-4 of the Investment Company Act, each Fund shall disclose to its shareholders on Form N-PX each Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the twelve-month period ended June 30 by no later than August 31 of each year.

 

Each Fund shall disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which to each Fund was entitled to vote:

 

(i)The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;
(ii)The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means);
(iii)The Council on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means);
(iv)The shareholder meeting date;
(v)A brief identification of the matter voted on;
(vi)Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder
(vii)Whether each Fund cast its vote on the matter;
(viii)How each Fund cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and
(ix)Whether each Fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

Each Fund shall make its proxy voting record available to shareholders either upon request or by making available an electronic version on or through each Fund’s website, if applicable. If each Fund discloses its proxy voting record on or through its website, each Fund shall post the information disclosed in each Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX on the website beginning the same day it files such information with the SEC.

 

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Each Fund shall also include in its annual reports, semi-annual reports and SAI a statement that information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge upon request, by calling a specified toll-free (or collect) telephone number, or (if applicable) on or through each Fund’s website at a specified Internet address; and (2) on the SEC’s website. If each Fund discloses that its proxy voting record is available by calling a toll-free (or collect) telephone number, it shall send the information disclosed in each Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX within three business days of receipt of a request for this information, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

IV.Recordkeeping

 

The Trust shall keep the following records for a period of at least five years, the first two in an easily accessible place:

 

(i)A copy of this Policy;
(ii)Proxy Statements received regarding each Fund’s securities;
(iii)Records of votes cast on behalf of each Fund; and
(iv)A record of each shareholder request for proxy voting information and each Fund’s response, including the date of the request, the name of the shareholder, and the date of the response.

 

The foregoing records may be kept as part of the Sub-Adviser’s records.

 

Each Fund may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies, and may rely on proxy statements and records of proxy votes cast by the Sub-Adviser that are maintained with a third party such as a proxy voting service, provided that an undertaking is obtained from the third party to provide a copy of the documents promptly upon request.

 

V.Proxy Voting Committee

 

A.General

 

The Proxy Voting Committee of the Trust shall be composed entirely of independent trustees of the Board and may be comprised of one or more such independent trustees as the Board may, from time to time, decide. The purpose of the Proxy Voting Committee shall be to determine how each Fund should cast its vote, if called upon by the Board or the Sub-Adviser, when a matter with respect to which each Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of each Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of each Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of each Fund, its investment adviser or principal underwriter, on the other hand.

 

B.Powers and Methods of Operation

 

The Proxy Voting Committee shall have all the powers necessary to fulfill its purpose as set forth above and such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board may, from time to time, grant and/or assign the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee shall meet at such times and places as the Proxy Voting Committee or the Board may, from time to time, determine. The act of a majority of the members of the Proxy Voting Committee in person, by telephone conference or by consent in writing without a meeting shall be the act of the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee shall have the authority to utilize Trust counsel at the expense of the Trust if necessary. The Proxy Voting Committee shall prepare minutes of each meeting and keep such minutes with the Trust’s records. The Proxy Voting Committee shall review this Policy and recommend any changes to the Board as it deems necessary or advisable.

 

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VI.Other

 

This Policy may be amended, from time to time; provided, however, that material changes are approved by the Board as provided under Section II(B) above.

 

(2)PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY OF THE SUB-ADVISER

 

The SEC has adopted Rule 206(4)-6, which governs proxy voting by an investment adviser on behalf of its client. This rule requires that each adviser must cast all proxy votes in a manner consistent with the best interests of its client. In adherence to the rule RVX will describe its proxy voting procedures in its ADV Part 2 Brochure and provide copies to its clients. Included in this Brochure, RVX will instruct clients as to how they may obtain information on how RVX voted their proxies. This Brochure and future amendments must be provided to clients within 180 days after the amendment, including any amendment to any proxy procedures. A letter must accompany the Part 2 Brochure identifying the new disclosure.

 

Mutual funds and other registered management investment companies are required to disclose each year how they vote proxies relating to portfolio securities they hold. Not later than August 31st of each year, a mutual fund must file with the SEC a report known as Form N-PX, containing the fund’s complete proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th. Funds were required to file their first Form N-PX not later than August 31, 2004. A mutual fund must disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at a shareholder meeting and on which the fund is entitled to vote:

 

§the name of the issuer of the portfolio security;
§the exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security;
§the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security;
§the shareholder meeting date;
§a brief identification of the matter voted on;
§whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or a security holder;
§whether the fund cast its vote on the matter;
§how the fund cast its vote (for example, for or against the proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and
§whether the fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

If obligated via Fund related documentation RVX will complete Form N-PX (which may be conducted via assistance from third party vendor). It is RVX’s duty to monitor corporate actions and vote its clients’ proxies. RVX’s policy is to always vote a proxy in the best interest of the client. In regards to any Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) investments will seek to mirror vote any proxies, which will be the same methodology applied for voting any conflicts of interest. Should RVX find itself in conflict of interest with its client on a proxy matter, RVX will disclose the conflict in writing to the client and propose the vote it intends to cast. The client must consent in writing to the proposed vote. If the client objects, it must instruct RVX as to the vote to be cast. RVX will follow that instruction.

 

As part of its recordkeeping requirements, RVX will retain copies of its voting policies and any amendments thereto. RVX maintains (i) all proxy statements received regarding the client’s securities, an electronic “Proxy Voting” log and hard copies and/or other records reflecting votes cast on behalf of the client (iii) copies of communications with the client disclosing a conflict of interest and the client’s response (iv) records of the client’s request for proxy voting information, and (v) any documents prepared or used by the adviser that were material to making a decision on how a vote should be cast.

 

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RVX will maintain hard copy folders of all proxy information received and the Compliance Associate/CCO will review the log on a monthly basis to ensure that all proxies are voted in accordance with these policies and procedures.

 

Mutual Fund - Proxy Voting
Responsibility § Compliance Associate
  § Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
  § Managing Partners – Equities
Frequency § Ongoing, as necessary
Action §

Review Mutual Fund advisory or sub-advisory agreement for proxy voting obligations

  § Complete periodic attestations (upon request) related to proxy voting
  § Identify and coordinate proxy voting with Mutual Fund’s designated party.
  § Describe proxy voting procedures in ADV Part 2 Brochure and provide to clients
  §

Electronic copy of “Proxy Voting” log will be maintained for all proxies that are voted

  §

CCO will review the log of all proxy material received on a quarterly basis

  § Provide amendments within 180 days
  §

Disclose conflicts in writing and propose vote 

Record § ADV Part 2 Brochure
  § Letter accompanying amendments
  § Letter disclosing conflicts
  § Maintain log of all proxy material received
  §

Maintain electronic “Proxy Voting” log for all proxies voted

  §

Retain hard copies of voting policies and amendments; proxy statements; records reflecting votes cast; copies of client communications; client request for proxy voting information; document(s) used by advisor when determining how vote should be cast; and all proxy information received

Retention § Five years
Reference § Investment Company Act of 1940/Adviser’s Act

 

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PART C

 

FORM N-1A

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28.Exhibits

 

(a)(1)Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”).1

 

(a)(2)Certificate of Amendment to the Trust Instrument.4

 

(b)By-Laws. 1

 

(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.)

 

(d)(1)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Growth Fund and Stringer Moderate Growth Fund (the “Stringer Funds”), as Adviser.10

 

(d)(2)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund, and Winning Points Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.6

 

(d)(3)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Capital Value Fund, IMS Strategic Income Fund and IMS Dividend Growth Fund (the “IMS Funds”), and IMS Capital Management, Inc., as Adviser.8

 

(d)(4)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund, and Willard Mills Advisory LLC, as Adviser.11

 

(d)(5)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(d)(6)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(d)(7)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(d)(8)Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(d)(9)Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Crow Point Partners, LLC, and RVX Asset Management LLC, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.23

 

(d)(10)Form Of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Powell Capital LLC, as Adviser.21

 

(e)(1)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.14

 

 

 

(e)(2)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of to the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.14

 

(e)(3)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.14

 

(e)(4)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.14

 

(e)(5)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.23

 

(e)(6)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.23

 

(e)(7)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.23

 

(e)(8)Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.23

 

(e)(9)Form Of Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.21

 

(f)Not Applicable.

 

(g)(1)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Growth Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.5

 

(g)(2)First Amendment to Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Moderate Growth Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.10

 

(g)(3)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.6

 

(g)(4)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and Huntington National Bank, as Custodian.8

 

(g)(5)Exhibit A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.15

 

(g)(6)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.23

 

(g)(7)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.23

 

(g)(8)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.23

 

(g)(9)Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.23

 

 

 

(g)(10)Exhibit A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.21

 

(h)(1)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.10

 

(h)(2)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.6

 

(h)(3)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.8

 

(h)(4)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.14

 

(h)(5)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator. 23

 

(h)(6)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.23

 

(h)(7)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.23

 

(h)(8)Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.23

 

(h)(9)Form Of Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.21

 

(h)(10)Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and Stringer Asset Management, LLC, as Adviser.15

 

(h)(11)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and IMS Capital Management, Inc., as Adviser.9

 

(h)(12)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund, and Willard Mills Advisory LLC, as Adviser.15

 

(h)(13)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser. 23

 

(h)(14)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(h)(15)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(h)(16)Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

(h)(17)Form Of Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Powell Capital LLC, as Adviser.21

 

 

 

(i)(1)Opinion and Consent of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Stringer Growth Fund.5

 

(i)(2)Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Stringer Moderate Growth Fund. 10

 

(i)(3)Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Stringer Funds.15

 

(i)(4)Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund.6

 

(i)(5)Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund.22

 

(i)(6)Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the IMS Funds.19

 

(i)(7)Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the IMS Funds.8

 

(i)(8)Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund.11

 

(i)(9)Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund.14

 

(i)(10)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.16

 

(i)(11)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust into the 360 Funds.20

 

(i)(12)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.18

 

(i)(13)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust into the 360 Funds.20

 

(i)(14)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.17

 

(i)(15)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust II into the 360 Funds.20

 

(i)(16)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.23

 

(i)(17)Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

 

 

(j)(1)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Stringer Funds.15

 

(j)(2)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund.22

 

(j)(3)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund.14

 

(j)(4)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the IMS Funds.19

 

(j)(5)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.16

 

(j)(6)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.18

 

(j)(7)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.17

 

(j)(8)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

(k)Not applicable.

 

(l)Initial Subscription Agreement.2

 

(m)(1)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Stringer Funds.10

 

(m)(2)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund.6

 

(m)(3)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund.11

 

(m)(4)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.23

 

(m)(5)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.23

 

(m)(6)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.23

 

(m)(7)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.23

 

(m)(8)Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

(n)(1)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Stringer Funds.10

 

(n)(2)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund.6

 

(n)(3)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund.11

 

(n)(4)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.23

 

(n)(5)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.23

 

(n)(6)Rule 18f-3 Plan for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.23

 

 

 

(o)Reserved.

 

(p)(1)Code of Ethics for the Registrant.4

 

(p)(2)Code of Ethics for Stringer Asset Management, LLC.12

 

(p)(3)Code of Ethics for Winning Points Advisors, LLC.6

 

(p)(4)Code of Ethics for IMS Capital Management, Inc.19

 

(p)(5)Code of Ethics for Willard Mills Advisory LLC.11

 

(p)(6)Code of Ethics for Crow Point Partners, LLC.23

 

(p)(7)Code of Ethics for RVX Asset Management LLC.23

 

(p)(8)Code of Ethics for Powell Capital LLC.21

 

(p)(9)Code of Ethics for the Distributor.14

 

(q)Copy of Powers of Attorney.16

 

1.Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2005.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
7Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2014.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

 

 

 

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.
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.
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.
20.Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 4, 2017.
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.
22Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 29, 2017.
23.To be filed by Amendment.

 

ITEM 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

 

No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

 

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 (Exhibits 28(h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3) and (h)(4) 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.

 

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
Winning Points Advisors, LLC 801-78654
IMS Capital Management, Inc. 801-33939
Willard Mills Advisory LLC 801-106518
Crow Point Partners, LLC 801-67184
RVX Asset Management LLC 801-107281
Powell Capital LLC 801-111100

 

ITEM 32.

Principal Underwriter

 

(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 Amidex Israel35, Della Parola Risk Optimized Equity Fund and WP Trust.

 

(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

Brandon J. Byrd Chief Executive Officer Assistant Secretary
Stephen R. Roberts Chief Compliance Officer None
Ted Akins Chief Operating Officer None

 

*The address of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and each of the above-named persons is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.

 

(c)Not Applicable.

 

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:

 

a)M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Administrator and Transfer Agent).

 

b)Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Principal Underwriter).

 

c)Fifth Third Bank, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the Hedgerow Income and Opportunity Fund, Stringer Funds and the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund).

 

d)Huntington Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the IMS Funds).

 

 

 

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).

 

f)Winning Points Advisors, LLC, 129 NW 13th Street, Suite D-26, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the WP Large Cap Income Plus Fund).

 

g)IMS Capital Management, Inc., 8995 SE Otty Road, Portland, Oregon 97086 (records related to its function as investment adviser to the IMS Funds.)

 

h)Willard Mills Advisory LLC, P.O. Box 2549, Brentwood, Tennessee 37024 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).

 

i)Crow Point Partners, LLC, 25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 110, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund and the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund).

 

j)RVX Asset Management LLC, 20900 NE 30th Street, Suite 402, Aventura, Florida (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser to RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund).

 

k)Powell Capital LLC, 938 Broadway, Court C, 2nd Floor, Tacoma, Washington 98407 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund).

 

ITEM 34.  Management Services

 

There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form N-1A.

 

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 has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 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 2nd day of January, 2018.

 

  360 Funds
     
  By: /s/ Randall Linscott
    Randall Linscott, President and Trustee

 

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.

 

*   January 2, 2018
Art Falk, Trustee  

Date

 

*   January 2, 2018
Thomas Krausz, Trustee  

Date

 

*   January 2, 2018
Gary DiCenzo, Trustee  

Date

 

*   January 2, 2018
Tom M. Wirtshafter, Trustee  

Date

 

/s/ Randall Linscott   January 2, 2018
Randall Linscott, Trustee and President  

Date

 

/s/ Justin Thompson   January 2, 2018
Justin Thompson, Treasurer  

Date

 

* By: /s/ Randall Linscott   January 2, 2018
Randall Linscott, Attorney-in-Fact   Date

 

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney