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Filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 28, 2023
1933 Act Registration File No. 333-172080
1940 Act File No. 811-22525
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | | | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. | 582 | | X |
and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | |
Amendment No. | 583 | | X |
Check appropriate box or boxes.)
MANAGED PORTFOLIO SERIES
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (414) 765-6844
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Brian R. Wiedmeyer, President and Principal Executive Officer Managed Portfolio Series 615 East Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
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Michael P. O’Hare, Esq. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP. 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
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| immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
X | On December 29, 2023 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| 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:
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| This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post- effective amendment. |
Explanatory Note: This Post-Effective Amendment No. 582 to the Registration Statement of Managed Portfolio Series (the "Trust") is being filed for the purpose of updating annual financial information for the Principal Street Funds.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Institutional Class – GSTAX
Investor Class – GSTEX
A Class – GSTFX
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
Investor Class – PSTEX
Institutional Class – PSTYX
Prospectus
December 29, 2023
The SEC has not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
Each a series of Managed Portfolio Series (the “Trust”)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Class Descriptions | 15 |
Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Service Fees | 16 |
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Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Investment Objective
The Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund’s (the “High Income Fund” or “Fund”) primary investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Examples below.
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Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | A Class | Investor Class | Institutional Class |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases | 3.25% | None | None |
Maximum Front-End Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of the offering price) | 2.25% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of initial investment or the value of the investment at redemption, whichever is lower)(1) | 1.00% | None | None |
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | A Class | Investor Class | Institutional Class |
Management Fees | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 0.50% | None |
Other Expenses | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
Interest Expense(2) | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.29% | 1.54% | 1.04% |
Less: Expense Reimbursement | -0.01% | -0.01% | -0.01% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expenses Reimbursement(3)(4)(5) | 1.28% | 1.53% | 1.03% |
(1) A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of up to 1.00% may be imposed on A Class purchases of $1 million or more that are redeemed within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC will be reduced in the circumstances described in the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Reallowance – A Class Shares section on page 20 of this Prospectus.
(2) Reflects interest expense paid in connection with borrowing against the Fund’s line of credit.
(3) Principal Street Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce its management fees, and may reimburse the Fund for its operating expenses, in order to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain expenses such as Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, leverage/borrowing interest, interest expense, dividends paid on short sales, brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses (“AFFE”), or extraordinary expenses (“Excluded Expenses”)) do not exceed 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Fees waived and expenses paid by the Adviser may be recouped by the Adviser for a period of 36 months following the month during which such fee waiver and/or expense payment was made, if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time the fee waiver and/or expense payment occurred and
the expense limit in place at the time of recoupment. The Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement is indefinite, but cannot be terminated through at least December 29, 2024. Thereafter, the agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days’ written notice by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) or the Adviser.
(4) For the period prior to February 15, 2023, the Adviser had contractually agreed to reduce its management fees, and/or reimburse the Fund for its operating expenses, in order to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Excluded Expenses) do not exceed 0.73% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
(5) Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement includes Interest Expense of 0.23%, which is an excluded expense.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (taking into account the expense limitation for one year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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| One Year | Three Years | Five Years | Ten Years |
A Class (assuming no sale of shares) | $352 | $624 | $916 | $1,746 |
A Class (assuming sale of all shares at end of period) | $452 | $624 | $916 | $1,746 |
Investor Class | $156 | $485 | $838 | $1,834 |
Institutional Class | $105 | $330 | $573 | $1,270 |
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 the annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in tax exempt debt securities. The Fund expects to invest the majority of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade (or “junk bonds”), including unrated securities, but may invest up to 40% of its total assets in investment grade debt securities. The Fund may invest without limit in municipal securities issued by or on behalf of states and local governmental authorities throughout the United States and its territories. Municipal securities include, among others, private activity bonds and industrial development bonds, as well as general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, other short-term tax-exempt obligations, municipal leases, obligations of municipal housing authorities, zero coupon bonds and single-family revenue bonds. The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income tax, but not necessarily the federal alternative minimum tax (the “AMT”). The Adviser’s security selection process focuses primarily on project revenue bonds in five broad sectors: healthcare; education; housing; transportation; and power, but may also include debt of distressed municipalities.
The Fund may employ effective leverage through investment in municipal securities whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates (“Inverse Floaters”). Inverse Floaters provide leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds. These investments are speculative, however, and also create the possibility that income and returns will be diminished. The Fund may also invest in defaulted municipal bonds, debt securities issued in accordance with Rule 144A (“Rule
144A Securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), restricted securities and illiquid securities.
The Fund’s investments in debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments. The Fund’s investments may have varied interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed and floating rates, inverse floating rate, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. The Fund will typically not invest more than 5% of its assets, at the time of investment, in the securities of any one obligor. From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in the securities of issuers in the same economic sector. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity or duration.
In selecting securities for the Fund, the Adviser employs a top-down/bottom-up research approach with an emphasis on analyzing the stand-alone credit, including financials, bond covenants, management team, and underlying asset value. The Adviser believes that the below investment grade universe represents some of the best value in the fixed income markets.
Additionally, the Fund may utilize leverage (i.e., borrow against a line of credit) as part of the portfolio management process. The Fund may borrow up to one third of the value of its assets for investment purposes.
Principal Risks
As with any mutual fund, there are risks to investing. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") or any other governmental agency. In addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose a portion of your investment in the Fund over short or even long periods of time. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
General Market Risk. The Fund’s net asset value and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. Certain securities selected for the Fund’s portfolio may be worth less than the price originally paid for them, or less than they were worth at an earlier time.
Management Risk. The Fund may not meet its investment objective or may underperform the market or other mutual funds with similar strategies if the Adviser cannot successfully implement the Fund’s investment strategies.
Municipal Securities Risk. The municipal market is volatile and can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Changes in a municipality’s financial health may make it difficult for the municipality to make interest and principal payments when due. Failure of a municipal security issuer to comply with applicable tax requirements may make income paid thereon taxable, resulting in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities. A number of municipalities have had significant financial problems recently, and these and other municipalities could, potentially, continue to experience significant financial problems resulting from lower tax revenues and/or decreased aid from state and local governments in the event of an economic downturn. This could decrease the Fund’s income or hurt the ability to preserve capital and liquidity.
Fixed-Income Securities Risks. Fixed-income securities are or may be subject to interest rate, credit, liquidity, prepayment and extension risks. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the fixed-income securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Fixed-income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain fixed-income securities may
make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility and reduced liquidity in the fixed-income securities market, and could result in an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.
•Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. In this event a Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income.
•Credit Risk. Fixed-income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable or unwilling to make principal and interest payments when they are due. Lower rated fixed-income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.
•Interest Rate Risk. In times of rising interest rates, bond prices will decline. Generally, securities with longer maturities and funds with longer weighted average maturities carry greater interest rate risk. The Fund may be exposed to heightened interest rate risk as interest rates rise from historically low levels.
•Extension Risk. In times of rising interest rates, prepayments will slow causing portfolio securities considered short or intermediate term to be long-term securities, which fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than shorter term securities.
•Liquidity Risk. There may be no willing buyer of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund may have to sell those securities at a lower price or may not be able to sell the securities at all, each of which would have a negative effect on performance.
•Prepayment Risk. In times of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a lower yield.
•Duration Risk. The Fund can invest in securities of any maturity or duration. Holding long duration and long maturity investments will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk.
High-Yield Fixed-Income Securities Risk. High-yield fixed income securities or “junk bonds” are fixed-income securities held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade are subject to additional risk factors such as increased possibility of default, illiquidity of the security, and changes in value based on public perception of the issuer. Such securities are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.
Restricted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (securities with limited transferability under the securities laws) acquired from the issuer in “private placement” transactions. Private placement securities are not registered under the Securities Act, and are subject to restrictions on resale. They are eligible for sale only to certain qualified institutional buyers, like the Fund, and are not sold on a trading market or exchange. While private placement securities offer attractive investment opportunities otherwise not available on an open market, because such securities are available to few buyers, they are often both difficult to sell and to value.
Unrated Securities Risk. Because the Fund purchases securities that are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, the Adviser may internally assign ratings to those securities, after assessing their credit quality and other factors, in categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the Adviser's credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The Adviser’s rating does not constitute a guarantee of the credit quality.
Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations Risk. Some municipal securities have variable or floating interest rates. Variable rates are adjustable at stated periodic intervals. Because of the interest rate adjustment feature, floating and variable rate securities provide an investor with a certain degree of
protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of floating and variable rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed-income obligations. Thus, investing in floating and variable rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed-income securities.
Valuation Risk. The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Unlike equity securities, which are valued using market quotations, the municipal bonds in which the Fund primarily invests are fixed income securities which are typically valued by independent pricing services utilizing a range of market-based and security specific inputs and assumptions, including price quotations from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, transactions in comparable investments and considerations about general market conditions. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
Tax Risks. Municipal securities may decrease in value during times when federal income tax rates are falling. The Fund’s investments are affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal tax exempt status of, interest income on municipal obligations. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the liquidity, marketability and supply and demand for municipal obligations, which would in turn affect the Fund’s ability to acquire and dispose of municipal obligations at desirable yield and price levels. If you are subject to the federal AMT, you may have to pay federal tax on a portion of your distributions from tax exempt income. If this is the case, the Fund’s net after-tax return to you may be lower. The Fund would typically not be a suitable investment for investors investing through tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts.
Sector Emphasis Risk. The securities of issuers in the same or related businesses (“industry sectors”), if comprising a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio, may in some circumstances react negatively to market conditions, interest rates and economic, regulatory or financial developments and adversely affect the value of the portfolio to a greater extent than if such securities comprised a lesser portion of the Fund’s portfolio or the Fund’s portfolio was diversified across a greater number of industry sectors. Some industry sectors have particular risks that may not affect other sectors.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds do not pay interest on a current basis and may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. The higher yields and interest rates on pay-in-kind securities reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investments may represent a higher credit risk than loans that periodically pay interest.
Inverse Floaters Risk. The use of inverse floaters by the Fund creates effective leverage. Due to the leveraged nature of these investments, they will typically be more volatile and involve greater risk than the fixed rate municipal bonds underlying the inverse floaters. The price of Inverse Floaters is expected to decline when interest rates rise, and generally will decline further than the price of a bond with a similar maturity. An investment in certain inverse floaters will involve the risk that the Fund could lose more than its original principal investment.
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage will allow the Fund to make additional investments, thereby increasing its exposure to assets, such that its total assets may be greater than its capital. However, leverage will also magnify the volatility of changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The effect of the use of leverage by the Fund in a market that moves adversely to its investments could result in substantial losses to the Fund, which would be greater than if the Fund were not leveraged.
Defaulted Bonds Risk. Defaulted bonds are subject to greater risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities and are considered speculative. In the event of a default, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Workout or bankruptcy proceedings typically result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted bond for other securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.
Rule 144A Securities Risk. The market for Rule 144A securities typically is less active than the market for publicly-traded securities. Rule 144A securities carry the risk that the liquidity of these securities may become impaired, making it more difficult for the Fund to sell these bonds.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk occurs when certain investments become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling less liquid securities may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Liquid securities can become illiquid during periods of market stress. If a significant amount of the Fund’s securities become illiquid, the Fund may not be able to timely pay redemption proceeds and may need to sell securities at significantly reduced prices.
Deferred Interest and Payment In Kind Securities Risks. Because these securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed income securities. Accordingly, these securities may involve greater credit risks and their value is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than other fixed income securities.
Auction Rate Securities Risks. While the auction rate process is designed to permit the holder to sell the auction rate securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of auction rate securities investments. Auction rate securities may also be subject to changes in interest rates, including decreased interest rates. Although some issuers of auction rate securities are redeeming or are considering redeeming such securities, such issuers are not obligated to do so and, therefore, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for a Fund’s investments in auction rate securities at a time when the Fund wishes to dispose of such securities.
LIBOR Risk. Changes related to the use of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or similar interbank offered rates could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR or a similar rate. While some instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR or a similar rate is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate setting methodology, not all instruments have such fallback provisions and the effectiveness of replacement rates is uncertain. The abandonment of LIBOR and similar rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference such rates, especially those that do not have fallback provisions. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance.
Performance
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s total returns have varied from year-to-year. Figures shown in the bar chart are for the Fund’s Institutional Class. Following the bar chart are the Fund’s highest and lowest quarterly returns during the period shown in the bar chart. The performance table that follows shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns over time compare with a broad-based securities market index. Past performance (before and after taxes) will not necessarily continue in the future. Investor Class and A Class shares have similar annual returns to Institutional Class shares because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, the returns for Investor Class and A Class shares are lower than Institutional Class shares because Investor Class and A Class shares have higher expenses and A Class
shares are subject to a load. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at https://principalstreetfunds.com/funds/ or by calling the Fund toll free at 1-877-914-7343.
Calendar Year Total Returns as of December 31 - Institutional Class
| | | | | |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
Q2 2021 4.03% | Q1 2020 -11.03% |
Year-to-Date as of September 30, 2023 |
-1.09% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 |
| One Year | Five Years | Since Inception (9/15/2017) |
Institutional Class | | | |
Return Before Taxes | -13.34% | 0.24% | 0.61% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -13.52% | -0.09% | 0.29% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -5.94% | 1.43% | 1.71% |
Investor Class(1) | | | |
Return Before Taxes | -13.82% | -0.17% | 0.20% |
A Class(2) | | | |
Return Before Taxes | -15.85% | -0.54% | -0.15% |
Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond Index | -13.10% | 2.63% | 2.77% |
(1)Investor Class commenced operations on March 23, 2020. Performance for the Investor Class prior to that date is based on the performance of the Institutional Class, adjusted for the higher expenses applicable to the Investor Class.
(2)A Class commenced operations on February 16, 2022. Performance for the A Class prior to that date is based on the performance of the Institutional Class, adjusted for the higher expenses applicable to the A Class.
After tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your situation and may differ from those shown. Furthermore, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to those who hold their shares through tax-advantaged arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts
(“IRAs”). The Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares is higher than other return figures when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax deduction that benefits the investor.
Management
Investment Adviser
Principal Street Partners, LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
Troy E. Willis, J.D., CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager of the Adviser, and Charlie S. Pulire, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager of the Adviser, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Willis has been portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2021. Mr. Pulire has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2022.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business by written request via mail (Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701), by contacting the Fund by telephone at 1-877-914-7343 or through a financial intermediary. You may also purchase or redeem Fund shares by wire transfer. Investors who wish to purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary directly. The Fund’s minimum initial and subsequent investments are shown below. The Adviser may reduce or waive the minimums in its discretion.
| | | | | | | | |
| Minimum Initial Investments | Minimum Subsequent Investments |
Investor Class | $1,000 | $100 |
Institutional Class | $1,000,000 | $1,000 |
A Class | $25,000 | $1,000 |
Tax Information
Distributions reported by the Fund as "exempt-interest dividends" are exempt from regular federal income tax but may be subject to state or local income taxes and may be tax preference items for purposes of the AMT. Distributions of the Fund's capital gains are generally subject to tax.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank or financial advisor), the Fund and/or its Adviser may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create conflicts 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.
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
Investment Objective
The Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund’s (the “Short Term Fund” or “Fund”) primary investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and example below.
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | Investor Class | Institutional Class |
Management Fees | 0.45% | 0.45% |
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | None |
Other Expenses | 0.67% | 0.63% |
Interest Expense | 0.00% | 0.01% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.37% | 1.09% |
Less: Fee Waiver (1) | -0.42% | -0.38% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement (1)(2) | 0.95% | 0.71% |
(1) Principal Street Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce its management fees, and may reimburse the Fund for its operating expenses, in order to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain expenses such as Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, leverage/borrowing interest, interest expense, dividends paid on short sales, brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses (“AFFE”), or extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Fees waived and expenses paid by the Adviser may be recouped by the Adviser for a period of 36 months following the day on which such fee waiver and/or expense payment was made, if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time the fee waiver and/or expense payment occurred and the expense limit in place at the time of recoupment. The Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement is indefinite, but cannot be terminated through at least December 29, 2024. Thereafter, the agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days’ written notice by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) or the Adviser.
(2) Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for Institutional Class shares includes Interest Expense of 0.01%, which is an excluded expense.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (taking into account the expense limitation for one year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One Year | Three Years | Five Years | Ten Years |
Investor Class | $97 | $392 | $710 | $1,610 |
Institutional Class | $73 | $309 | $564 | $1,295 |
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 the
annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 was 75%.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, and as a fundamental policy, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal debt securities, the income from which is exempt from federal regular individual income tax. The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income tax, but may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities that produce income subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (the “AMT”). The Adviser’s security selection process focuses primarily on tax free income-producing securities across sectors and industries.
The Fund’s investments in debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments. The Fund’s investments may have varied interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed and floating rates, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. These various features are evaluated in the Adviser’s selection process in the context of certain factors, such as current economic conditions and the current composition of the portfolio. From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in the securities of issuers in the same economic sector, with such focus occurring when a particular sector offers the most opportunities for value. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity or duration.
The Fund seeks to maintain a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of three (3) years or less; however, it can buy securities that have short, intermediate or long maturities. A substantial percentage (i.e., as much as market opportunities will permit) of the securities the Fund buys may be “callable,” meaning that the issuer can redeem them before their maturity date. Because of events affecting the bond markets and interest rate changes, the effective portfolio maturity might not meet that target for temporary periods.
The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities that are rated below investment grade (sometimes referred to as "junk bonds") by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, such as Standard & Poor's, or, if unrated, assigned a comparable rating by the Adviser, Principal Street Partners LLC. The Fund also will not invest more than 20% of its total assets in securities rated below the top three investment grade categories. For unrated securities, the Adviser may internally assign ratings to those securities in investment-grade or below-investment-grade categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, after assessing their credit quality and other factors typically utilized by the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, such as probability of default calculations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the Adviser's credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities that are unrated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, which includes private placement and restricted securities that are unrated. However, this limitation does not apply to an unrated security that the Adviser, in its discretion, determines to be comparable to another security (i) that has substantially similar characteristics, (ii) that is comparable in priority and security (if applicable), (iii) that is issued by the same issuer or guaranteed by the same guarantor, and (iv) that is rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
In selecting investments for the Fund, the portfolio managers look for high current income; favorable credit characteristics (e.g., willingness and ability to make payments, credit history, etc.); a wide range of issuers including different municipalities, agencies, sectors and revenue sources (e.g., property tax receipts, sales tax receipts, etc.); unrated bonds or securities of smaller issuers that might be overlooked by other investors, which are typically bonds that are non-rated and trade on secondary markets; and special situations that may offer high current income or opportunities for value because such issuers are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, but the bonds may additionally have specifically pledged security interest or other credit enhancements which deem them attractive to the portfolio
managers. The portfolio managers may consider selling a security if any of these factors no longer apply, but are not required to do so.
In selecting securities for the Fund, the Adviser employs a bottom-up research approach with an emphasis on analyzing the stand-alone credit, including financials, bond covenants, management team, and underlying asset value. The above factors are generally applied uniformly to all bond types being evaluated, as the Fund’s strategy seeks to identify the best value opportunities regardless of bond type.
Additionally, the Fund may utilize leverage (i.e., borrow against a line of credit) as part of the portfolio management process when the Adviser identifies viable investment opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. The Fund may borrow up to one third of the value of its assets for investment purposes.
The Fund is a non-diversified fund which means that it may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds and, as a result, each position will have a greater impact on the Fund’s returns than would be the case for a “diversified” mutual fund.
Principal Risks
As with any mutual fund, there are risks to investing. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") or any other governmental agency. As with all funds, a shareholder of the Fund is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
General Market Risk. The Fund’s net asset value and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. Certain securities selected for the Fund’s portfolio may be worth less than the price originally paid for them, or less than they were worth at an earlier time.
Management Risk. The Fund may not meet its investment objective or may underperform the market or other mutual funds with similar strategies if the Adviser cannot successfully implement the Fund’s investment strategies or if the Adviser makes poor strategy choices and/or individual investment decisions.
Municipal Securities Risk. The municipal market is volatile and can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Changes in a municipality’s financial health may make it difficult for the municipality to make interest and principal payments when due. Failure of a municipal security issuer to comply with applicable tax requirements may make income paid thereon taxable, resulting in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities. A number of municipalities have had significant financial problems recently, and these and other municipalities could, potentially, continue to experience significant financial problems resulting from lower tax revenues and/or decreased aid from state and local governments in the event of an economic downturn. This could decrease the Fund’s income or hurt the ability to preserve capital and liquidity.
Fixed-Income Securities Risks. Fixed-income securities are or may be subject to interest rate, credit, liquidity, prepayment and extension risks. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the fixed-income securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Fixed-income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain fixed-income securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility and reduced liquidity in the fixed-
income securities market, and could result in an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.
•Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. In this event a Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income.
•Credit Risk. Fixed-income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable or unwilling to make principal and interest payments when they are due. Lower rated fixed-income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.
•Interest Rate Risk. In times of rising interest rates, bond prices will decline. Generally, securities with longer maturities and funds with longer weighted average maturities and therefore higher durations carry greater interest rate risk. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the market value of a portfolio with a duration of three years would decline by approximately 3%. The Fund may be exposed to heightened interest rate risk as interest rates rise from historically low levels.
•Extension Risk. In times of rising interest rates, prepayments will slow causing portfolio securities considered short or intermediate term to be long-term securities, which fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than shorter term securities.
•Liquidity Risk. There may be no willing buyer of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund may have to sell those securities at a lower price or may not be able to sell the securities at all, each of which would have a negative effect on performance.
•Prepayment Risk. In times of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a lower yield.
•Duration Risk. The Fund can invest in securities of any maturity or duration. Holding long duration and long maturity investments will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk.
High-Yield Fixed-Income Securities Risk. High-yield fixed income securities or “junk bonds” are fixed-income securities held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade are subject to additional risk factors such as increased possibility of default, illiquidity of the security, and changes in value based on public perception of the issuer. Such securities are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.
Restricted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (securities with limited transferability under the securities laws) acquired from the issuer in “private placement” transactions. Private placement securities are not registered under the Securities Act, and are subject to restrictions on resale. They are eligible for sale only to certain qualified institutional buyers, like the Fund, and are not sold on a trading market or exchange. While private placement securities offer attractive investment opportunities otherwise not available on an open market, because such securities are available to few buyers, they are often both difficult to sell and to value.
Unrated Securities Risk. Because the Fund purchases securities that are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, the Adviser may internally assign ratings to those securities, after assessing their credit quality and other factors, in categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the Adviser's credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The Adviser's rating does not constitute a guarantee of the credit quality.
Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations Risk. Some municipal securities have variable or floating interest rates. Variable rates are adjustable at stated periodic intervals. Because of the interest rate adjustment feature, floating and variable rate securities provide an investor with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates
as well. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of floating and variable rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed-income obligations. Thus, investing in floating and variable rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed-income securities.
Valuation Risk. The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Unlike equity securities, which are valued using market quotations, the municipal bonds in which the Fund primarily invests are fixed income securities which are typically valued by independent pricing services utilizing a range of market-based and security specific inputs and assumptions, including price quotations from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, transactions in comparable investments and considerations about general market conditions. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
Tax Risks. Municipal securities may decrease in value during times when federal income tax rates are falling. The Fund’s investments are affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal tax exempt status of, interest income on municipal obligations. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the liquidity, marketability and supply and demand for municipal obligations, which would in turn affect the Fund’s ability to acquire and dispose of municipal obligations at desirable yield and price levels. If you are subject to the federal AMT, you may have to pay federal tax on a portion of your distributions from tax exempt income. If this is the case, the Fund’s net after-tax return to you may be lower. The Fund would typically not be a suitable investment for investors investing through tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts.
Municipal Sector Focus Risk. The Fund will not concentrate its investments in issuers in any one industry. The Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that investment of more than 25% of a fund's total assets in issuers in the same industry constitutes concentration in that industry. Many types of municipal securities (such as general obligation, government appropriation, municipal leases, special assessment and special tax bonds) are not considered a part of any "industry" for purposes of this policy. Therefore, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in those types of municipal securities. General obligation bonds are generally secured by the obligor’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. However, the taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or laws and an entity’s credit will depend on many factors. By contrast, revenue bonds are generally backed by and payable from the revenues derived from a specific facility or specific revenue source or sources. As a result, the revenue bonds in which the Fund invests may entail greater credit risk than the Fund’s investments in general obligation bonds. Legislation that affects the financing of a particular municipal project, or economic factors that have a negative impact on a project, would be likely to affect many other similar projects. At times, the Fund may change the relative emphasis of its investments in securities issued by certain municipalities. If the Fund has a greater emphasis on investments in one or more particular municipalities, it may be subject to greater risks from adverse events affecting such municipalities than a fund that invests in different municipalities or that is more diversified.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk. Zero-coupon bonds do not pay interest on a current basis and may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. The higher yields and interest rates on pay-in-kind securities reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investments may represent a higher credit risk than loans that periodically pay interest.
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage will allow the Fund to make additional investments, thereby increasing its exposure to assets, such that its total assets may be greater than its capital. However, leverage will also magnify the volatility of changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The effect of the
use of leverage by the Fund in a market that moves adversely to its investments could result in substantial losses to the Fund, which would be greater than if the Fund were not leveraged.
Risks of Shorter-Term Securities. Normally, when interest rates change, the values of shorter-term debt securities change less than the values of securities with longer maturities. The Fund tries to reduce the volatility of its share prices by seeking to maintain a shorter average effective portfolio maturity. However, shorter-term securities may have lower yields than longer-term securities. Shorter-term securities are also subject to extension and reinvestment risk. The Fund is subject to extension risk when principal payments on a debt security occur at a slower rate than expected, potentially extending the average life of the security. For securities with a call date in the near future, there is the risk that an increase in interest rates could result in the issuer of that security choosing not to redeem the security as anticipated on the security's call date. Such a decision by the issuer may effectively change a short- or intermediate-term security into a longer term security, which could have the effect of locking in a below-market interest rate on the security, increasing the security's duration, making the security more vulnerable to interest rate risk, reducing the security's market value and increasing the Fund's average effective portfolio maturity. Under such circumstances, because the values of longer term securities generally fluctuate more widely in response to interest rate changes than shorter term securities, the Fund's volatility could increase. Reinvestment risk is the risk that if interest rates fall the Fund may need to invest the proceeds of redeemed securities in securities with lower interest rates.
Rule 144A Securities Risk. The market for Rule 144A securities typically is less active than the market for publicly-traded securities. Rule 144A securities carry the risk that the liquidity of these securities may become impaired, making it more difficult for the Fund to sell these bonds.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk occurs when certain investments become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling less liquid securities may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in the Fund. Liquid securities can become illiquid during periods of market stress. If a significant amount of the Fund’s securities become illiquid, the Fund may not be able to timely pay redemption proceeds and may need to sell securities at significantly reduced prices.
Deferred Interest and Payment In Kind Securities Risks. Because these securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed income securities. Accordingly, these securities may involve greater credit risks and their value is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than other fixed income securities.
Risks of Borrowing and Leverage. The Fund can borrow up to one-third of the value of its assets (including the amount borrowed), as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940. It can use those borrowings for a number of purposes, including purchasing securities, which creates "leverage." In that case, changes in the value of the Fund's investments will have a larger effect on its share price than if it did not borrow.
Auction Rate Securities Risks. While the auction rate process is designed to permit the holder to sell the auction rate securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of auction rate securities investments. Auction rate securities may also be subject to changes in interest rates, including decreased interest rates. Although some issuers of auction rate securities are redeeming or are considering redeeming such securities, such issuers are not obligated to do so and, therefore, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for a Fund’s investments in auction rate securities at a time when the Fund wishes to dispose of such securities.
LIBOR Risk. Changes related to the use of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or similar interbank offered rates could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR or a similar rate. While some instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR or a similar rate is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate setting methodology, not all instruments have such fallback provisions and the effectiveness of replacement rates is uncertain. The abandonment of LIBOR and similar rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference such rates, especially those that do not have fallback provisions. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified” and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio.
Performance
Performance information will be available once the Fund has at least one calendar year of performance. In the future, performance information for the Fund will be present in this section. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at https://principalstreetfunds.com/shortterm/ or by calling the Fund toll free at 1-877-914-7343.
Management
Investment Adviser
Principal Street Partners, LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
Troy E. Willis, J.D., CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager of the Adviser, and Charlie S. Pulire, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager of the Adviser, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Willis and Mr. Pulire have been portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception in April 2022.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business by written request via mail (Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701), by contacting the Fund by telephone at 1-877-914-7343 or through a financial intermediary. You may also purchase or redeem Fund shares by wire transfer. Investors who wish to purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary directly. The Fund’s minimum initial and subsequent investments are shown below. The Adviser may reduce or waive the minimums in its discretion.
| | | | | | | | |
| Minimum Initial Investments | Minimum Subsequent Investments |
Investor Class | $1,000 | $100 |
Institutional Class | $25,000 | $1,000 |
Tax Information
Distributions reported by the Fund as "exempt-interest dividends" are exempt from regular federal income tax but may be subject to state or local income taxes and may be tax preference items for purposes of the AMT. Distributions of the Fund's capital gains are generally subject to tax.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank or financial advisor), the Fund and/or its Adviser may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and
related services. These payments may create conflicts 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.
| | |
Investment Objective, Strategies, Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings |
Investment Objective
High Income Fund
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek total return. The investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Short Term Fund
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies
High Income Fund
Under normal market conditions, the High Income Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in tax exempt debt securities. Tax exempt debt securities are investments the income from which is exempt from federal income tax but which may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. The policy above is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without shareholder approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund expects to invest the majority of its assets in debt securities that are rated below investment grade (or “junk bonds”), including unrated securities, but may invest up to 40% of its total assets in investment grade debt securities. The Fund may invest without limit in municipal securities issued by or on behalf of states and local governmental authorities throughout the United States and its territories. Municipal securities include, among others, bonds issued by 501(c)(3)s, private activity bonds and industrial development bonds, as well as general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, other short-term tax exempt obligations, municipal leases, obligations of municipal housing authorities, zero coupon bonds and single family revenue bonds. The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income tax, but not necessarily the AMT.
The High Income Fund may employ effective leverage through investment in Inverse Floaters. Inverse Floaters provide leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds. These investments are speculative, however, and also create the possibility that income and returns will be diminished. The Fund may also invest in defaulted municipal bonds, Rule 144A Securities, restricted securities and illiquid securities.
The High Income Fund’s investments in debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments. The Fund’s investments may have varied interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed and floating rates, inverse floating rate, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in the securities of issuers in the same economic sector. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity or duration.
In selecting securities for the High Income Fund, the Adviser employs a top-down/bottom-up research approach with an emphasis on analyzing the stand-alone credit, including financials, bond covenants, management team, and underlying asset value. The Adviser believes that the below investment grade universe represents some of the best value in the fixed income markets.
Additionally, the Adviser factors in top down economic factors such as interest rates, credit cycles and political trends. Individual local and state analysis is conducted including fiscal policy, political climate, surplus/deficits, as well as industry analysis. While value is the primary focus, duration management, sector allocation, yield curve positioning, buy/sell trade execution, and geographic allocation also play a role in security selection. The Fund will not have any duration or weighted average maturity restrictions.
Short Term Fund
Under normal market conditions, the Short Term Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal debt securities, the income from which is exempt from federal regular individual income tax. Tax exempt debt securities are investments the income from which is exempt from federal income tax but which may be subject to the AMT. The policy above is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without shareholder approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund expects to invest the majority of its assets in municipal securities issued by or on behalf of states and local governmental authorities throughout the United States and its territories, but may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities rated below the top three rating categories, including investment-grade or unrated securities that are assigned similar ratings (measured at the time of purchase). In addition, up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities rated below investment-grade or unrated securities that are assigned similar ratings (measured at the time of purchase). The Fund may invest without limit in municipal securities issued by or on behalf of states and local governmental authorities throughout the United States and its territories. Municipal securities include, among others:
•bonds issued by 501(c)(3)s (i.e., bonds issued by non-profit organizations),
•private activity bonds and industrial development bonds (i.e., bonds that finance a variety of economic or public development projects for private and public entities),
•general obligation bonds (i.e., bonds backed solely by the credit and taxing power of the issuing jurisdiction),
•tax anticipation notes (i.e., short-term notes that municipalities issue with the intent to repay once tax payments are collected),
•bond anticipation notes (i.e., short-term notes that municipalities issue in advance of a larger bond offering),
•revenue anticipation notes (i.e., short-term notes that municipalities issue with payment to come from a named revenue source),
•other short-term tax exempt obligations,
•municipal leases (i.e., an arrangement where a municipality purchases equipment or makes other capital expenditures through a lease financing),
•obligations of municipal housing authorities,
•zero-coupon bonds, and
•single family revenue bonds (i.e., bonds issued to finance mortgage loans of single-family homes).
The Short Term Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income tax, but not necessarily the AMT. The Adviser’s security selection process focuses primarily on generating high current income; favorable credit characteristics (e.g., willingness and ability to make payments, credit history, etc.); a wide range of issuers including different municipalities, agencies, sectors and revenue sources (e.g., property tax receipts, sales tax receipts, etc.); unrated bonds or securities of smaller issuers that might be overlooked by other investors, which are typically issuers that are non-rated and trade on secondary markets; and special situations that may offer high current income or opportunities for value because such issuers are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, but the bonds may
additionally have specifically pledged security interest or other credit enhancements which deem them attractive to the portfolio managers.
The Short Term Fund’s investments in debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments. The Fund’s investments may have varied interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed and floating rates, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. These various features are evaluated in the Adviser’s selection process in the context of certain factors, such as current economic conditions and the current composition of the portfolio. From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in the securities of issuers in the same economic sector, with such focus occurring when a particular sector offers the most opportunities for value. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity or duration. The overall composition of the Fund’s portfolio with respect to these various security types is determined by the best available opportunities when investment decisions are made.
In selecting securities for the Short Term Fund, the Adviser employs a top-down/bottom-up research approach with an emphasis on analyzing credit characteristics, including financials, bond covenants, management team, and underlying asset value. The above factors are generally applied uniformly to all bond types being evaluated, as the Fund’s strategy seeks to identify the best value opportunities regardless of bond type.
Cash or Similar Investments and Temporary Strategies of the Funds
At the Adviser’s discretion, a Fund may invest in high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments for (i) temporary defensive purposes in amounts up to 100% of its assets in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions and (ii) retaining flexibility in meeting redemptions, paying expenses, and identifying and assessing investment opportunities. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include cash, shares of other mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. government securities, discount notes and repurchase agreements. To the extent that a Fund invests in money market mutual funds for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of such money market funds’ management fees and operational expenses. When investing for temporary defensive purposes, the Adviser may invest up to 100% of a Fund’s total assets in such instruments. Taking a temporary defensive position may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds
Before investing in a Fund, you should carefully consider your own investment goals, the amount of time you are willing to leave your money invested, and the amount of risk you are willing to take. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. In addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose a portion of your investment in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Funds are:
General Market Risk (Both Funds). The net asset value (“NAV”) and investment return of a Fund will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The market value of a security may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a security to be worth less than the price originally paid for it, or less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. U.S. and international markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, volatility, which may increase risks associated with an investment in a Fund. Certain social, political, economic, environmental and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters and weather-related phenomena generally, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) may adversely interrupt the global economy and result in prolonged periods of significant market volatility. The market value of securities in which the Funds invest is based upon the market’s perception of value and is not necessarily an
objective measure of the securities’ value. In some cases, for example, the stock prices of individual companies have been negatively impacted even though there may be little or no apparent degradation in the financial condition or prospects of the issuers. Similarly, the debt markets have experienced substantially lower valuations, reduced liquidity, price volatility, credit downgrades, increased likelihood of default, and valuation difficulties. As a result of this significant volatility, many of the following risks associated with an investment in a Fund may be increased. Continuing market volatility may have adverse effects on the Funds.
Management Risk (Both Funds). The ability of the Funds to meet their investment objectives is directly related to the Adviser’s investment strategies for each Fund. The value of your investment in a Fund may vary with the effectiveness of the Adviser’s research, analysis and asset allocation among portfolio securities. If the Adviser’s investment strategies do not produce the expected results, the value of your investment could be diminished or even lost entirely and the Funds could underperform the market or other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.
Municipal Securities Risk (Both Funds). The municipal market is volatile and can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Changes in a municipality’s financial health may make it difficult for the municipality to make interest and principal payments when due. Municipal obligations may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Municipal securities structured as revenue bonds are generally not backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality but rather the revenue from the particular project or entity for which the bonds were issued. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that an issuer of a municipal security has not complied with applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could be treated as taxable, which could result in a decline in the security’s value. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities.
A number of municipalities have had significant financial problems recently, and these and other municipalities could, potentially, continue to experience significant financial problems resulting from lower tax revenues and/or decreased aid from state and local governments in the event of an economic downturn. This could decrease the Fund’s income or hurt the ability to preserve capital and liquidity.
Under some circumstances, municipal securities might not pay interest unless the state legislature or municipality authorizes money for that purpose. Some securities, including municipal lease obligations, carry additional risks. For example, they may be difficult to trade or interest payments may be tied only to a specific stream of revenue.
Since some municipal securities may be secured or guaranteed by banks and other institutions, the risk to the Funds could increase if the banking or financial sector suffers an economic downturn and/or if the credit ratings of the institutions issuing the guarantee are downgraded or at risk of being downgraded by a national rating organization. If such events were to occur, the value of the security could decrease or the value could be lost entirely, and it may be difficult or impossible for a Fund to sell the security at the time and the price that normally prevails in the market. Interest on municipal obligations, while generally exempt from federal income tax, may not be exempt from federal alternative minimum tax.
Fixed-Income Securities Risks (Both Funds). Fixed-income securities held by the Funds are or may be subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, which are more fully described below. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility and reduced liquidity in the fixed-income securities market, and could result in an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on a Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.
•Call Risk (Both Funds). During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. In this event a Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income.
•Credit Risk (Both Funds). Fixed-income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable or unwilling to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. Lower rated fixed-income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.
•Interest Rate Risk (Both Funds). Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value if interest rates rise. Fixed-income securities with longer maturities sometimes offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than fixed-income securities with shorter maturities. The historically low interest rate environment increases the risk associated with rising interest rates. The Funds may be exposed to heightened interest rate risk as interest rates rise from historically low levels.
•Prepayment and Extension Risk (Both Funds). Many types of fixed-income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed-income security can repay principal faster than expected prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed-income securities subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed-income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease. This is known as extension risk and may increase a Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines.
•Liquidity Risk (Both Funds). Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, a Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on its performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that a Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a position in a timely manner. If this happens, the Fund may be required to hold the security or keep the position open, and it could incur losses.
•Duration Risk (Both Funds). The Funds may invest in securities of any maturity or duration. Holding long duration and long maturity investments will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk.
High-Yield Fixed-Income Securities Risk (Both Funds). High-yield fixed-income securities or “junk bonds” are fixed-income securities rated below investment grade. Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than higher-rated securities, they are subject to a greater risk of loss of income and principal. Junk bonds are subject to greater credit risk than higher grade securities and have a higher risk of default. Companies issuing high-yield junk bonds are more likely to experience financial difficulties that may lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than issuers of higher grade securities. Issuers of junk bonds are often highly leveraged or undergoing restructuring and are more vulnerable to changes in the economy, such as a recession or rising interest rates, which may affect their ability to meet their interest or principal payment obligations. As a result, junk bonds generally are more sensitive to credit risk and are considered more speculative than securities in the higher-rated categories. The risk of loss due to default by an issuer of these securities is significantly greater than issuers of higher-rated securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors. The secondary market for securities that are junk bonds may be less liquid than the markets for
higher quality securities, and, as such, may have an adverse effect on the market prices of and a Fund’s ability to arrive at a fair value for certain securities.
Restricted Securities Risk (Both Funds). The Funds may invest in restricted securities (securities with limited transferability under the securities laws) acquired from the issuer in “private placement” transactions. Private placement securities are not registered under the Securities Act, and are subject to restrictions on resale. They are eligible for sale only to certain qualified institutional buyers, like the Fund, and are not sold on a trading market or exchange. While private placement securities offer attractive investment opportunities otherwise not available on an open market, because such securities are available to few buyers, they are often both difficult to sell and to value.
Unrated Securities Risk (Both Funds). Because the Funds may purchase securities that are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, the Adviser may internally assign ratings to those securities, after assessing their credit quality and other factors, in categories similar to those of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. There can be no assurance, nor is it intended, that the Adviser's credit analysis process is consistent or comparable with the credit analysis process used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Unrated securities are considered "investment-grade" or "below-investment-grade" if judged by the Adviser to be comparable to rated investment-grade or below-investment-grade securities. The Adviser's rating does not constitute a guarantee of the credit quality. In addition, some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may trade less actively than rated securities, which means that the Funds might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price.
In evaluating the credit quality of a particular security, whether rated or unrated, the Adviser will normally take into consideration a number of factors including, but not limited to, the financial resources of the issuer, the underlying source of funds for debt service on a security, the issuer's sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, any operating history of the facility financed by the obligation, the degree of community support for the financed facility, the capabilities of the issuer's management, and regulatory factors affecting the issuer or the particular facility.
A reduction in the rating of a security after a Fund buys it will not require the Fund to dispose of the security. However, the Adviser will evaluate such downgraded securities to determine whether to keep them in the Fund’s portfolio.
Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations Risk (Both Funds). Some municipal securities have variable or floating interest rates. Variable rates are adjustable at stated periodic intervals. Floating rates are automatically adjusted according to a specified market rate for those investments, such as, for example, the percentage of LIBOR, the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or the percentage of the prime rate of a bank. These obligations may be secured by bank letters of credit or other credit support arrangements. Because of the interest rate adjustment feature, floating and variable rate securities provide an investor with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of floating and variable rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed-income obligations. Thus, investing in floating and variable rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed-income securities.
Valuation Risk (Both Funds). The price a Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, a Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Unlike equity securities, which are valued using market quotations, the municipal bonds in which the Funds primarily invest are fixed income securities which are typically valued by independent pricing services utilizing a range of market-based and security specific
inputs and assumptions, including price quotations from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, transactions in comparable investments and considerations about general market conditions. A Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
Tax Risks (Both Funds). Municipal securities may decrease in value during times when federal income tax rates are falling. Each Fund’s investments are affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal tax exempt status of, interest income on municipal obligations. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the liquidity, marketability and supply and demand for municipal obligations, which would in turn affect a Fund’s ability to acquire and dispose of municipal obligations at desirable yield and price levels. If you are subject to the federal AMT, you may have to pay federal tax on a portion of your distributions from tax exempt income. If this is the case, a Fund’s net after-tax return to you may be lower. The Funds would not be suitable investments for investors investing through tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts.
Municipal Sector Focus Risk (Both Funds). The Fund will not concentrate its investments in issuers in any one industry. The Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that investment of more than 25% of a fund's total assets in issuers in the same industry constitutes concentration in that industry. Many types of municipal securities (such as general obligation, government appropriation, municipal leases, special assessment and special tax bonds) are not considered a part of any "industry" for purposes of this policy. Therefore, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in those types of municipal securities. General obligation bonds are generally secured by the obligor’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. However, the taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or laws and an entity’s credit will depend on many factors. By contrast, revenue bonds are generally backed by and payable from the revenues derived from a specific facility or specific revenue source or sources. As a result, the revenue bonds in which the Fund invests may entail greater credit risk than the Fund’s investments in general obligation bonds. Legislation that affects the financing of a particular municipal project, or economic factors that have a negative impact on a project, would be likely to affect many other similar projects. At times, the Fund may change the relative emphasis of its investments in securities issued by certain municipalities. If the Fund has a greater emphasis on investments in one or more particular municipalities, it may be subject to greater risks from adverse events affecting such municipalities than a fund that invests in different municipalities or that is more diversified.
Sector Emphasis Risk (High Income Fund). The securities of issuers in the same or related businesses (“industry sectors”), if comprising a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio, may in some circumstances react negatively to market conditions, interest rates and economic, regulatory or financial developments and adversely affect the value of the portfolio to a greater extent than if such securities comprised a lesser portion of the Fund’s portfolio or the Fund’s portfolio was diversified across a greater number of industry sectors. Some industry sectors have particular risks that may not affect other sectors.
Zero-Coupon Bonds Risk (Both Funds). As interest on zero-coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero-coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero-coupon bonds generate income for tax purposes and for purposes of generally accepted accounting standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause a Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by Subchapter M of the Code of the Internal Revenue Code in order for the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company.
Investors may purchase zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. Because such securities do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity, this prevents any reinvestment of interest payments at prevailing interest rates if prevailing interest rates rise. The higher yields and interest rates on pay-in-kind securities reflect the payment
deferral ad increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investments may represent a higher credit risk than coupon loans.
Inverse Floaters Risk (High Income Fund). The use of inverse floaters by the High Income Fund creates effective leverage. Due to the leveraged nature of these investments, they will typically be more volatile and involve greater risk than the fixed rate municipal bonds underlying the inverse floaters. Inverse Floaters represent interests in bonds with interest rates that vary inversely to changes in short-term rates. As short-term rates rise, inverse floaters produce less income, and as short-term rates decline, inverse floaters produce more income. As a result, the price of inverse floaters is expected to decline when interest rates rise, and generally will decline further than the price of a bond with similar maturity. An investment in certain inverse floaters will involve the risk that the Fund could lose more than its original principal investment. Distributions on inverse floaters bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Thus, distributions paid to the Fund on its inverse floaters will be reduced or even eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal bonds in a rising interest rate environment.
Leverage Risk (Both Funds). The use of leverage will allow the Funds to make additional investments, thereby increasing its exposure to assets, such that its total assets may be greater than its capital. However, leverage will also magnify the volatility of changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The effect of the use of leverage by the Funds in a market that moves adversely to its investments could result in substantial losses to the Funds, which would be greater than if a Fund were not leveraged.
Defaulted Bonds Risk (High Income Fund). Defaulted bonds are subject to greater risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities and are considered speculative. In the event of a default, the High Income Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Workout or bankruptcy proceedings typically result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted bond for other securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.
Rule 144A Securities Risk (Both Funds). The market for Rule 144A securities typically is less active than the market for publicly-traded securities. Rule 144A securities carry the risk that the liquidity of these securities may become impaired, making it more difficult for a Fund to sell these bonds.
Liquidity Risk (Both Funds). Liquidity risk occurs when certain investments become difficult to purchase or sell. Difficulty in selling less liquid securities may result in sales at disadvantageous prices affecting the value of your investment in a Fund. Causes of liquidity risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Portfolio shares. Over recent years liquidity risk has also increased because the capacity of dealers in the secondary market for fixed-income securities to make markets in these securities has decreased, even as the overall bond market has grown significantly, due to, among other things, structural changes, additional regulatory requirements and capital and risk restraints that have led to reduced inventories. Liquidity risk may be higher in a rising interest rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline. Municipal securities may have more liquidity risk than other fixed-income securities because they trade less frequently and the market for municipal securities is generally smaller than many other markets.
Deferred Interest and Payment In Kind Securities Risks (Both Funds). Because these securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed income securities. Accordingly, these securities may involve greater credit risks and their value is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than other fixed income securities. Since the bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, these securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a current basis.
When interest rates fall, these securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return. If the issuer defaults, a Fund may not receive any return on its investment. These securities may also have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require ongoing judgment about the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. Payment in kind securities have the effect of generating investment income and increasing incentive fees payable to the Adviser at a compounding rate. In addition, the deferral of payment in kind interest reduces the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate. These securities create the risk that incentive fees will be paid to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that ultimately may not be realized. The Adviser will be under no obligation to reimburse a Fund for these fees.
Auction Rate Securities Risks (Both Funds). While the auction rate process is designed to permit the holder to sell the auction rate securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of auction rate securities investments. Auction rate securities may also be subject to changes in interest rates, including decreased interest rates. Although some issuers of auction rate securities are redeeming or are considering redeeming such securities, such issuers are not obligated to do so and, therefore, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the Funds’ investments in auction rate securities at a time when the Funds wish to dispose of such securities.
Risks of Borrowing and Leverage (Both Funds). Each Fund can borrow up to one-third of the value of its assets (including the amount borrowed), as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Funds can use those borrowings for a number of purposes, including purchasing securities, which creates "leverage." In that case, changes in the value of a Fund's investments will have a larger effect on its share price than if it did not borrow. Borrowing results in interest payments to the lenders and related expenses. Borrowing for investment purposes might reduce a Fund's return if the yield on the securities purchased is less than those borrowing costs. The Funds may also borrow to meet redemption obligations or for temporary and emergency purposes. The Funds participate in a line of credit with other Principal Street Partners LLC funds for its borrowing.
LIBOR Risk (Both Funds). Changes related to the use of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or similar interbank offered rates could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR or a similar rate. While some instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR or a similar rate is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate setting methodology, not all instruments have such fallback provisions and the effectiveness of replacement rates is uncertain. The abandonment of LIBOR and similar rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference such rates, especially those that do not have fallback provisions. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk (Short Term Fund). The Short Term Fund “non-diversified” and therefore is not required to meet certain diversification requirements under federal laws. The Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer and may have fewer holdings than other mutual funds. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio.
Other Non-Principal Investment Strategies and Risks.
The Funds can also use the investment techniques and strategies described below. The Funds might not use all of these techniques or strategies or might only use them from time to time.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions (Both Funds). The Funds may purchase municipal securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell such securities on a "delayed-delivery" basis. "When-issued" or "delayed-delivery" refers to securities whose terms and indenture are available and for which a market exists, but which are not available for immediate delivery. During the period between the purchase and the settlement dates, the buyer makes no payment for the security and receives no interest. When-issued or delayed-delivery securities the Funds buy are subject to changes in value as a
result of market fluctuations during that period and the value of the security on the delivery date may be more or less than the Funds paid. The Funds may lose money if the value of the security has declined below the purchase price.
Percentage of LIBOR Notes (PLNs) (Both Funds). The Funds may invest in Percentage of LIBOR Notes ("PLNs") which are variable rate municipal securities based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), a widely used benchmark for short-term interest rates and used by banks for interbank loans with other banks. A PLN typically pays interest based on a percentage of a LIBOR rate for a specified time plus an established yield premium. Due to their variable rate features, PLNs will generally pay higher levels of income in a rising short-term interest rate environment and lower levels of income as short-term interest rates decline. In times of substantial market volatility, however, PLNs may not perform as anticipated. The value of a PLN also may decline due to other factors, such as changes in credit quality of the underlying bond.
The Funds’ ability to engage in transactions using PLNs may be limited due to market factors. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular PLN or at any particular time, and so the Fund may not be able to close a position in a PLN when it is advantageous to do so.
Distressed Debt Securities (Short Term Fund). The Short Term Fund may invest in debt securities issued by companies that are involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings or bankruptcy. Such distressed debt securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in below-investment-grade debt securities. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may also incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. Distressed securities are subject to the Fund's limitation on holding below-investment-grade securities.
Defaulted Securities (Both Funds). The Funds may purchase defaulted securities if the Adviser believes that there is potential for resumption of income payments or realization of income on the sale of the securities or the collateral or other advantageous developments appear likely in the near future. Notwithstanding the Adviser's belief about the resumption of income payments or realization of income, the purchase of defaulted securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial or complete loss of the Funds' investment. Defaulted securities are subject to the Funds' limitation on holding below-investment-grade securities. The Adviser does not expect that this will be a significant investment strategy of the Funds.
Taxable Investments (Both Funds). The Funds may invest in taxable investments but do not anticipate investing substantial amounts of their assets in taxable investments under normal market conditions or as part of their normal trading strategies and policies. Taxable investments include, for example, hedging instruments, repurchase agreements, and many of the types of securities the Funds would buy for temporary defensive purposes.
Who Are the Funds Designed For? The Funds are designed for investors seeking tax-free income. Because they invest in tax-exempt securities, the Funds are not appropriate for a retirement plan or other tax-exempt or tax-deferred account. The Funds are not complete investment programs. You should carefully consider your own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Funds.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Investment Adviser
The Trust has entered into an investment advisory agreement (“Advisory Agreement”), on behalf of the Funds, with Principal Street Partners, LLC located at 949 South Shady Grove Road, Suite 402, Memphis, Tennessee 38120. Established in 2016, the Adviser is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides investment advisory services to private clients and institutions and is responsible for about $2.78 billion in assets under management as of August 31, 2023. Prior to October 15, 2019, the Adviser was named Green Square Asset Management, LLC. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the Funds’ investments subject to the supervision of the Board.
The Adviser has overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund’s securities portfolio. The Adviser also furnishes the Funds with office space and certain administrative services, and provides most of the personnel needed to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. For its services, each Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee that is calculated as follows:
| | | | | |
Fund | Rate |
High Income Fund | 0.55% of average daily net assets |
Short Term Fund | 0.45% of average daily net assets |
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the High Income Fund effectively paid Principal Street Partners, LLC a management fee of 0.51% of its average daily net assets and the Short Term Fund effectively paid Principal Street Partners, LLC a management fee of 0.06% of its average daily net assets.
Fund Expenses. Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. Pursuant to an Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement between the Adviser and the Funds, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fees, and reimburse each Fund for its operating expenses, in order to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain expenses such as Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, leverage/borrowing interest, interest expense, dividends paid on short sales, brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses, AFFE, or extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.80% of the High Income Fund’s average daily net assets and 0.70% of the Short Term Fund’s average daily net assets. Expenses reimbursed and/or fees reduced by the Adviser may be recouped by the Adviser for a period of 36 months following the month during which such fee waiver and/or expense payment was made, if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time the fee waiver and/or expense payment occurred and the expense limit in effect at the time of recoupment. The Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement is indefinite, but cannot be terminated through at least December 29, 2024. Thereafter, the agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days’ written notice by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) or the Adviser.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement, with respect to the High Income Fund, is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended February 28, 2023. A discussion regarding the basis of the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement, with respect to the Short Term Fund, is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended August 31, 2022.
The Funds, as series of the Trust, do not hold themselves out as related to any other series of the Trust for purposes of investment and investor services, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.
Portfolio Managers
Troy E. Willis, J.D., CFA
Troy E. Willis is the Chief Investment Officer, Municipal Bond Strategies, and a Senior Portfolio Manager for the Adviser. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Willis was the co-head of the Oppenheimer Funds Rochester Municipal Bond Team where he was responsible for $26 billion assets under management and delivering top decile weighted average performance for over a decade.
Mr. Willis received his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from West Virginia University, a Juris Doctor with a focus on Corporate Law from West Virginia College of Law, and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Economics from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business. Mr. Willis is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter holder, member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts and the CFA Society of New York.
Charlie S. Pulire, CFA
Charlie S. Pulire is a Senior Portfolio Manager, Municipal Bond Strategies, for the Adviser. From 2006 to 2020, Charlie was as a senior portfolio manager on the municipal bond team at OppenheimerFunds and then Invesco. Prior to that, he worked at Wise Construction Corporation in Boston and served as a structural engineer on nuclear submarines for the Department of Defense in New Hampshire. Mr. Pulire has been in the municipal bond industry since 2005.
Mr. Pulire earned a BS degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine and an MBA in finance and corporate accounting from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester. Mr. Pulire has held a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation since 2012, and is member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Rochester.
The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of Fund shares.
Pricing of Fund Shares
The price of each class of each of the Fund’s shares is its NAV. The NAV of each class is calculated by dividing its total assets, less its liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding in each class. The NAV of each class is calculated at the close of regular trading of the NYSE, which is generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The NAV will not be calculated, nor may investors purchase or redeem Fund shares, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading, even though certain Fund securities (i.e., foreign or debt securities) may trade on days the NYSE is closed and such trading may materially affect a Fund’s NAV.
Each Fund’s assets are generally valued at their market price using valuations provided by independent pricing services. Debt securities, including short-term debt securities and money market instruments with a maturity of 60 days or less, are valued at the evaluated mean in accordance with prices supplied by an approved independent pricing service. Where the price of a debt security is not available from an independent pricing service, fair value will be determined. Quotations will be valued at the mean between the bid and the offer. When a Fund buys a when-issued, new issue or delayed delivery debt security and the security is not yet being traded or priced by an approved independent pricing service, the security will be valued at cost. Thereafter, the security will be valued at its market value (if it has commenced trading or is priced by an independent pricing service) or its fair value if the security has not commenced trading or is not priced by an approved independent pricing service for more than five days.
When market quotations are not readily available, a security or other asset is valued at its fair value as determined under fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board. The Board reviews, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of the policies and procedures of the Fund and the effectiveness of their implementation. These fair value pricing procedures will also be used to price a security when corporate events, events in the securities market and/or world events cause the Adviser to believe that a security’s last sale price may not reflect its actual market value. The intended effect of using fair value pricing procedures is to ensure that the Funds are accurately priced. The Board will regularly evaluate whether the Trust’s fair value pricing procedures continue to be appropriate in light of the specific circumstances of each Fund and the quality of prices obtained through the application of such procedures by the Adviser’s valuation designee.
When fair value pricing is employed, the security prices that the Funds use to calculate their NAVs may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the fair value determined for a particular security may be materially different (higher or lower) than the price of the security quoted or published by others, the value when trading resumes, and/or the value realized upon the security’s sale. Therefore, if a shareholder purchases or redeems Fund shares when a Fund holds securities priced at a fair value, the number of shares purchased or redeemed may be higher or lower than it would be if a Fund were using market value pricing.
Class Descriptions
The High Income Fund currently offers three different classes of shares: Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, and A Class shares and the Short Term Fund offers two different classes of shares: Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses, which may affect their performance. The High Income Fund’s Investor Class and A Class shares impose a 0.50% and 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee, respectively, that is assessed against the assets of the High Income Fund attributable to those classes. In addition, the Short Term Fund’s Investor Class shares impose a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee that is assessed against the assets of the Short Term Fund attributable to that class. See “Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees” below for further information. Investor Class shares may be converted to Institutional Class shares if you are an eligible investor and your account balance exceeds the initial minimum investment for Institutional Class shares. Any such conversion will be effected at net asset value without the imposition of any fee or other charges by the applicable Fund. Please contact your financial intermediary about any fees that it may charge. A conversion from Investor Class shares of a Fund to Institutional Class shares of a Fund is not expected to result in realization of a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
The Institutional Class is generally limited to institutional investors or certain programs, including the following:
•Investors making purchases through financial intermediaries that aggregate customer accounts to accumulate the minimum initial investment;
•Clients of financial intermediaries that have an agreement in place with Quasar Distributors, LLC, the Funds’ distributor (the “Distributor”) or its affiliates who charge clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting, or similar services, or who charge clients transaction fees with respect to their investments in the Funds;
•Financial intermediaries with clients of a registered investment adviser (“RIA”) purchasing fund shares in fee based advisory accounts, through certain broker-dealers utilizing omnibus accounts;
•Individuals and institutional investors, such as financial institutions, corporations, trusts, defined benefit plans, foundations, endowments, estates, and educational, religious, and charitable organizations;
•Institutions and individuals that use trust departments or family/multi-family offices that exercise investment discretion;
•Institutions and individuals that use trust departments or family/multi-family offices that exercise investment discretion;
•Certain retirement and benefit plans, including pension plans and employer sponsored retirement plans established under Section 403(b) or Section 457, or qualified under Section 401, of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, (the “Code”);
•Certain qualified plans under Section 529 of the Code;
•Certain insurance related products that have an agreement in place with the Distributor or its affiliates;
•Certain advisory accounts of the Adviser or its affiliates;
•Trustees and officers of the Trust; directors, officers and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates (including the spouse, life partner, or minor children under 21 of any such person); any trust or individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit of any such person; or the estate of any such person; and
•Employee retirement plans sponsored by the Adviser or its affiliates.
At the time you purchase shares of a Fund, you must inform your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent of your qualifications to invest in Institutional Class shares. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, accept investment in Institutional Class shares from purchasers not listed above.
A Class shares of the High Income Fund can be purchased directly through the Distributor or through registered broker-dealers, banks, advisers and other financial institutions. A Class shares are purchased at net asset value, plus front-end sales charge (unless you qualify for a reduction or waiver of the sale charge) and are subject to 12b-1 fees and shareholder servicing fees. There is no front-end sales charge on purchases of A Class shares of $1 million or more; however, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of up to 1.00% may be imposed if such A Class shares are redeemed within 18 months of their purchase. Investors meeting the investment minimum of $25,000 or otherwise investing in the A Class shares via a financial intermediary platform where the Class A shares is available for purchase may invest in the Class A share class.
Information about sales charges, including applicable waivers, breakpoints, and discounts to the sales charges, is fully disclosed in this Prospectus, which is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website at https://principalstreetfunds.com, or by calling the Fund toll-free at 877-914-7343. The Fund believes that it is very important that an investor fully consider all aspects of their investment and be able to access all relevant information in one location. Therefore, the Fund does not make the sales charge information available to investors on the website independent of the Prospectus.
Sales Charge
The public offering price of A Class shares of the High Income Fund is the NAV per share plus a sales charge, as shown in the table below. Because of rounding in the calculation of the “offering price,” the actual sales charge you pay may be more or less than that calculated using the percentages show below. Certain persons may be entitled to purchase A Class shares of a Fund without paying a sales charge. See “Waived Sales Charges.” The sales charge payable to the Distributor and the dealer reallowances may be
suspended, terminated, or amended. The Distributor or the Adviser, at their expense, may, from time to time, provide additional promotional incentives to broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund. Sales charges are not imposed on shares purchased with reinvested dividends or distributions. The breakpoint table below also shows what percentage of the initial investment is paid by the individual investor (deducted from their account) to the broker-dealer or financial intermediary through whom you purchased your A Class shares as a commission/sales charge.
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Amount of Investment | Public Offering Price | Net Amount Invested | Dealer Reallowance as & of Public Offering Price |
Less than $100,000 | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.25% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 1.75% | 1.78% | 1.75% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 1.25% | 1.27% | 1.25% |
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.00% |
$1,000,000 or more(1) | None | None | None |
(1)A maximum contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% will be imposed on redemptions of these shares (exclusive of shares purchased with reinvested dividends and/or distributions) within the first 18 months after the initial sale. The Adviser intends to pay a commission to financial advisers who place an order for a single purchaser based on the rates set forth in the section below entitled "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Reallowance."
The following sections discuss ways to obtain discounts on purchases and waivers of contingent deferred sales charges on A Class shares of the High Income Fund. The availability of sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares. The Fund’s sales charge waivers and discounts described in this Prospectus are available for Fund share purchases made directly from the Fund (or the Distributor) and are generally available through financial intermediaries.
Reduced Sales Charges. Consistent with the policies in this Prospectus, certain investments in the High Income Fund may be combined for purposes of purchasing shares with a lower sales charge.
Aggregating Accounts. Investors and members of the same household may aggregate investments in A Class shares held in all accounts (e.g., non-retirement and retirement accounts) with the High Income Fund and/or with financial intermediaries in order to obtain a reduced sales charge.
Concurrent Purchases. For purposes of qualifying for a lower sales charge, investors have the privilege of combining concurrent purchases of A Class shares of the High Income Fund. This privilege may be modified or eliminated at any time by the Trust without notice.
Rights of Accumulation. The sales charge applicable to a purchase of A Class shares by an investor is determined by adding the purchase price of the A Class shares to be purchased, including any concurrent purchases as described above, to the aggregate value of A Class shares of the High Income Fund previously purchased and then owned, provided the Distributor is notified by the investor or the investor’s broker-dealer each time a purchase is made which would so qualify. For example, an investor who is purchasing A Class shares with an aggregate value of $100,000 and who currently owns A Class shares of the Fund with an aggregate value of $250,000 would pay a sales charge of 1.25% of the offering price on the new investment.
Letter of Intent. You may also enter into a letter of intent (“LOI”), which expresses your intent to invest $100,000 or more in the High Income Fund’s A Class within the next thirteen months. Under an LOI, your individual purchases will be assessed the sales load applicable to the amount you intend to invest over a thirteen-month period. Any shares purchased within 90 days prior to the date you sign the LOI may be used as credit toward your commitment, but the reduced sales load will only apply to new purchases
made on or after the date you sign your LOI. Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI. Shares equal to 2.25% of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the thirteen-month period. If, at the end of that time the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay the difference between the reduced sales load and the sales load applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect. This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares. Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you.
If you establish an LOI, you can aggregate your accounts as well as the accounts of your immediate family members. You will need to submit to your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent from which you established your LOI (1) written instruction with respect to the other accounts whose purchases should be considered in fulfillment of the LOI and (2) all subsequent purchases. This letter of intent option may be modified or eliminated at any time or from time to time by the Trust without notice. Modifications to the letter of intent do not apply retroactively to investors already relying on it.
Waived Sales Charges. To encourage investment in the High Income Fund, the Fund may sell A Class shares at a purchase price equal to the net asset value of such shares, without a sales charge, to Trustees, officers, directors, managers, and employees of the Trust, the Adviser, and other service providers to the Trust, and to employees and principals of related organizations and their families, and certain parties related thereto, including clients and related accounts of the Adviser. Clients of financial intermediaries may also purchase A Class shares at net asset value, without a sales charge, if the financial intermediary has made arrangements to permit them to do so with the Adviser or the Distributor. The public offering price of A Class shares of the Fund may also be reduced to the net asset value of such shares in connection with the acquisition of the assets of, or merger or consolidation with, a personal holding company or a public or private investment company.
The conditions upon which A Class shares of the High Income Fund may be purchased without a front-end sales charge, provided that you notify the Fund in advance that the trade qualifies for this privilege, include the following:
•Purchases by current and former officers, Trustees, directors, managers, and employees of the High Income Fund, the Adviser, or any of the Adviser’s current affiliates and those that may in the future be created. At the direction of such persons, their family members (regardless of age), and any employee benefit plan established by any of the foregoing entities may also purchase shares at NAV.
•Participants in “no transaction fee” programs of discount brokerages that maintain an omnibus account with the High Income Fund.
•Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of a distribution.
•Purchases through eligible Retirement Plans. Eligible “Retirement Plans” include 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, rabbi trusts, profit-sharing plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and other similar employer-sponsored retirement plans. Retirement Plans do not include individual retirement vehicles, such as traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts, Coverdell education savings accounts, individual 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, Keogh plans, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs or similar accounts.
•Reinvestment within 90 days.
The High Income Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate these arrangements at any time.
The High Income Fund may also waive applicable sales charges under certain other conditions. Please contact the Fund or the Distributor to determine eligibility for waived sales charges.
Additional Information About Sales Charges. The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the High Income Fund or through a financial intermediary. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the shareholder’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the investor for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund or through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts.
Information regarding the High Income Fund’s sales charges, as well as information regarding reduced sales charges and waived sales charges, and the terms and conditions for the purchase, pricing and redemption of Fund shares is available on the Fund’s website at https://principalstreetfunds.com. Further information is available by calling the Fund toll free at 1-877-914-7343.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Reallowance – A Class Shares. No sales load is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more of the High Income Fund’s A Class, although the Distributor may pay broker-dealers 1.00% on investments with no initial sales load. Accordingly, the Fund may impose a CDSC of up to 1.00% on certain redemptions of those investments made within 18 months of the purchase. The CDSC is assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the initial value of the shares redeemed and the value of shares redeemed at the time of redemption. No CDSC is imposed on increases in NAV above the initial purchase price or High Income Fund shares acquired as reinvested Fund distributions. The CDSC will be waived in the event of the last surviving account holder’s death, provided the financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent through which the account is held is notified. The CDSC will be reduced for amounts over $3 million and for shares held for at least 12 months. The CDSC will be calculated as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares Redeemed Within |
Purchased Amount | Less than 12 months | At least 12 months and up to 15 months | More than 15 months and up to 18 months |
$1,000,000 to $3,000,000 | 1.00% | 0.50% | 0.25% |
$3,000,001 to $50,000,000 | 0.50% | 0.25% | 0.12% |
$50,000,001 and greater | 0.25% | 0.12% | 0.06% |
The High Income Fund uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to determine the 18-month holding period. Under this method, if a shareholder bought shares on different days, the shares purchased first will be redeemed first for the purpose of determining whether a CDSC applies. The CDSC will be applied on redemptions of each investment made by a shareholder that does not remain in a Fund for at least 18 months from the date of purchase. The CDSC does not apply to Fund shares acquired through reinvested distributions (net investment income and capital gains).
No CDSC is applied in the following instances:
1.The redemption is due to the death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder or settlor of a living trust account;
2.Redemptions from retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Code. The CDSC will be waived for benefit payments made directly to plan participants. Benefit payments will include, but are not limited to, payments resulting from death, disability, retirement, separation from service, required minimum distributions (as described under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code), in-service distributions, hardships, loans, and qualified domestic relations orders. The CDSC waiver will not apply in the event of termination of the plan or transfer of the plan to another financial intermediary;
3.The redemption is for a mandatory withdrawal from a traditional IRA account after age 70 1/2.
4.In the case of a divorce, where there exists a court decree that requires redemption of the shares;
5.When shares are involuntarily redeemed due to low balance or other reasons;
6.When shares are redeemed in accordance with the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Program;
7.Circumstances that the officers of the Fund, in their discretion, deem to warrant a waiver of the CDSC; and
8.The redemption relates to shares for which no commission was paid to the dealer of record (as described below).”
Documentation may be required prior to the waiver of the CDSC, including death certificates, physicians’ certificates, etc., in applicable instances. Under certain circumstances, the High Income Fund’s Distributor may change the reallowance to dealers and may also compensate dealers out of its own assets. Dealers engaged in the sale of shares of the Fund may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund’s Distributor retains the entire sales charge on all direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designated dealer of record and any portion of a sales charge that is not re-allowed to a broker-dealer or financial intermediary.
Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Service Fees
The Trust has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan under which the Funds are authorized to pay to the Distributor or such other entities as approved by the Board of Trustees, as compensation for the distribution-related and/or shareholder services provided by such entities, an annual fee of up to 0.50% and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class and A Class of the High Yield Fund, respectively and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Short Term Fund. The Distributor may pay any or all amounts received under the Rule 12b-1 Plan to other persons, including the Adviser or its affiliates, for any distribution service or activity designed to retain Fund shareholders.
Because the Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees are paid on an ongoing basis, your investment cost over time may be higher than paying other types of sales charges.
How to Purchase Fund Shares
Shares of the Funds are purchased at the NAV per share next calculated after your purchase order is received in good order by a Fund (as defined below). Shares may be purchased directly from the Funds or through a financial intermediary, including but not limited to, certain brokers, financial planners, financial advisors, banks, insurance companies, retirement, benefit and pension plans or certain packaged investment products.
Shares of the Funds have not been registered and are not offered for sale outside of the United States. The Funds generally do not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, even if they are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO addresses or in certain other circumstances where the Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer for the Trust conclude that such sale is appropriate and is not in contravention of U.S. law.
A service fee, currently $25, as well as any loss sustained by a Fund, will be deducted from a shareholder’s account for any purchases that do not clear. The Funds and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, the Funds’ transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), will not be responsible for any losses, liability, cost, or expense resulting from rejecting any
purchase order. Your initial order will not be accepted until a completed account application (an “Account Application”) is received by a Fund or the Transfer Agent.
Investment Minimums. The minimum initial investment amount for the High Income Fund is $1,000,000 for Institutional Class shares, $25,000 for A Class shares, and $1,000 for Investor Class shares. The minimum investment amount for subsequent investments for the High Income Fund is $1,000 for Institutional Class and A Class shares and $100 for Investor Class shares. The minimum initial investment amount for the Short Term Fund is $25,000 for Institutional Class shares and $1,000 for Investor Class shares. The minimum investment amount for subsequent investments for the Short Term Fund is $1,000 for Institutional Class and $100 for Investor Class shares.
The Funds reserve the right to waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment amounts at their sole discretion. Shareholders will be given at least 30 days’ written notice of any increase in the minimum dollar amount of initial or subsequent investments.
Purchases through Financial Intermediaries. For share purchases through a financial intermediary, you must follow the procedures established by your financial intermediary. Your financial intermediary is responsible for sending your purchase order and payment to the Funds’ Transfer Agent. Your financial intermediary holds the shares in your name and receives all confirmations of purchases and sales from a Fund. Your financial intermediary may charge for the services that it provides to you in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an account with them.
If you place an order for a Fund’s shares through a financial intermediary that is authorized by the Funds to receive purchase and redemption orders on their behalf (an “Authorized Intermediary”), your order will be processed at the applicable price next calculated after receipt by the Authorized Intermediary, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. Authorized Intermediaries are authorized to designate other Authorized Intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf.
If your financial intermediary is not an Authorized Intermediary, your order will be processed at the applicable price next calculated after the Transfer Agent receives your order from your financial intermediary. Your financial intermediary must agree to send immediately available funds to the Transfer Agent in the amount of the purchase price, in accordance with the Transfer Agent’s procedures. If payment is not received in a timely manner, the Transfer Agent may rescind the transaction and your financial intermediary will be held liable for any resulting fees or losses. Financial intermediaries that are not Authorized Intermediaries may set cut-off times for the receipt of orders that are earlier than the cut-off times established by the Funds.
Purchase Requests Must be Received in Good Order
Your share price will be based on the next NAV per share calculated after the Transfer Agent or your Authorized Intermediary receives your purchase request in good order. “Good order” means that your purchase request includes:
•The name of the Fund;
•The class of shares to be purchased;
•The dollar amount of shares to be purchased;
•Your account application; and
•A check payable to the name of the Fund or a wire transfer received by the Fund.
An Account Application or subsequent order to purchase Fund shares is subject to acceptance by the Funds and is not binding until so accepted. The Funds reserve the right to reject any Account Application or purchase order if, in their discretion, it is in a Fund’s best interest to do so. For example, a purchase order may be refused if it appears so large that it would disrupt the management of a Fund. Purchases may also be rejected from persons believed to be “market-timers,” as described under “Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions,” below. Accounts opened by entities, such as credit unions, corporations, limited
liability companies, partnerships or trusts, will require additional documentation. Please note that if any information listed above is missing, your Account Application will be returned and your account will not be opened.
Upon acceptance by the Funds, all purchase requests received in good order before the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) will be processed at the applicable price next calculated after receipt. Purchase requests received after the close of the NYSE will be priced on the next business day.
Purchase by Mail. To purchase Fund shares by mail, simply complete and sign the Account Application or investment stub and mail it, along with a check made payable to the Funds, to:
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Regular Mail Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services P.O. Box 701 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 | | Overnight or Express Mail Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, a deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices. All purchase checks must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a domestic financial institution. The Funds will not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Funds are unable to accept post-dated checks or any conditional order or payment.
Purchase by Wire. If you are making your first investment in a Fund, the Transfer Agent must have a completed Account Application before you wire the funds. You can mail or use an overnight service to deliver your Account Application to the Transfer Agent at the above address. Upon receipt of your completed Account Application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account for you. Once your account has been established, you may instruct your bank to send the wire. Prior to sending the wire, please call the Transfer Agent at 1-877-914-7343 to advise them of the wire and to ensure proper credit upon receipt. Your bank must include the name of the Fund, your name, and your account number so that your wire can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by wire to:
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Wire to: | U.S. Bank N.A. |
ABA Number: | 075000022 |
Credit: | U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC |
Account: | 112-952-137 |
Further Credit: | Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund [Class of shares to be purchased] [Shareholder Name/Account Registration)] [Shareholder Account Number] |
Wired funds must be received prior to the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) to be eligible for same day pricing. The Funds and U.S. Bank N.A., the Funds’ custodian, are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
Investing by Telephone. You may not make initial purchases of Fund shares by telephone. If you have accepted telephone transactions on your Account Application or have been authorized to perform telephone transactions by subsequent arrangement in writing a Fund and your account has been open for at least seven business days, you may purchase additional shares by telephoning the Funds toll free at 1-877-914-7343. This option allows investors to move money from their bank account to their Fund account upon request. Only bank accounts held at domestic financial institutions that are Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) members may be used for telephone transactions. The minimum telephone purchase amount is $100. If your order is received prior to the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time), shares will be purchased in your account at the applicable price determined on the day your order is placed. Shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waiting times during periods of high market activity. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction. The Funds are not responsible for delays due to communications or transmission outages or failure. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time).
Subsequent Investments. Subject to the minimum subsequent investment amount described above, you may add to your account at any time by purchasing shares by mail, telephone, or wire. You must call to notify the Fund at 1-877-914-7343 before wiring. All subsequent purchase requests must include the Fund name, your name, address and your shareholder account number.
Automatic Investment Plan. For your convenience, the Funds offer an Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”). Under the AIP, after your initial investment, you may authorize a Fund to automatically withdraw any amount of at least $100 that you wish to invest in a Fund, on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, from your checking or savings account. In order to participate in the AIP, your bank must be a member of the ACH network. If you wish to enroll in the AIP, complete the appropriate section in the Account Application. The Funds may terminate or modify this privilege at any time. You may terminate your participation in the AIP at any time by notifying the Transfer Agent five days prior to the next scheduled withdrawal. A fee will be charged if your bank does not honor the AIP draft for any reason.
Anti-Money Laundering Program. The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”) and related anti-money laundering laws and regulations. To ensure compliance with these laws, the Account Application asks for, among other things, the following information for all “customers” seeking to open an “account” (as those terms are defined in rules adopted pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act):
•Full name;
•Date of birth (individuals only);
•Social Security or taxpayer identification number; and
•Permanent street address (a P.O. Box number alone is not acceptable).
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the Transfer Agent will verify the information on your Account Application as part of the Program. As requested on the Account Application, you must supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. If you are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.), you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Each Fund reserves the right to request additional clarifying information and may close your account if
such clarifying information is not received by a Fund within a reasonable time of the request or if a Fund cannot form a reasonable belief as to the true identity of a customer. If you require additional assistance when completing your application, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-877-914-7343.
Cancellations and Modifications. The Funds will not accept a request to cancel or modify a written transaction once processing has begun. Please exercise care when placing a transaction request.
How to Redeem Fund Shares
In general, orders to sell or “redeem” shares may be placed directly with a Fund or through a financial intermediary. You may redeem all or part of your investment in a Fund’s shares on any business day that the Fund calculates its NAV.
However, if you originally purchased your shares through a financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed with the same financial intermediary in accordance with their established procedures. Your financial intermediary is responsible for sending your order to the Transfer Agent and for crediting your account with the proceeds. Your financial intermediary may charge for the services that it provides to you in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an account with it.
Shareholders who have an IRA or other retirement plan must indicate on their written redemption request whether to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election not to have tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding. Shares held in IRA or other retirement plan accounts may be redeemed by telephone at 1-877-914-7343. Investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.
Payment of Redemption Proceeds. You may redeem your Fund shares at the NAV per share next determined after the Transfer Agent or an Authorized Intermediary receives your redemption request in good order. Your redemption request cannot be processed on days the NYSE is closed. All requests received by a Fund in good order after the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) will usually be processed on the next business day.
Under normal circumstances, the Funds expect to meet redemption requests through the sale of investments held in cash or cash equivalents. In situations in which investment holdings in cash or cash equivalents are not sufficient to meet redemption requests, the Funds will typically borrow money through the Funds’ bank line-of-credit. The Funds may also choose to sell portfolio assets for the purpose of meeting such requests. Each Fund further reserves the right to distribute “in-kind” securities from a Fund’s portfolio in lieu (in whole or in part) of cash under certain circumstances, including under stressed market conditions. Redemptions-in-kind are discussed in greater detail below.
A redemption request will be deemed in “good order” if it includes:
•The shareholder’s name;
•The name of the Fund to be redeemed;
•The class of shares to be redeemed;
•The account number;
•The share or dollar amount to be redeemed; and
•Signatures by all shareholders on the account and signature guarantee(s), if applicable.
Additional documents are required for certain types of redemptions, such as redemptions from accounts held by credit unions, corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships, or from accounts with executors, trustees, administrators or guardians. Please contact the Transfer Agent to confirm the requirements applicable to your specific redemption request. Redemption requests that do not have the required documentation will be rejected.
While redemption proceeds may be paid by check sent to the address of record, the Funds are not responsible for interest lost on such amounts due to lost or misdirected mail. Redemption proceeds may be wired to your pre-established bank account or proceeds may be sent via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network using the bank instructions previously established for your account. The Funds typically send the redemption proceeds on the next business day (a day when the NYSE is open for normal business) after the redemption request is received in good order and prior to market close, regardless of whether the redemption proceeds are sent via check, wire or ACH transfer. Wires are subject to a $15 fee. There is no charge to have proceeds sent via ACH; however, funds are typically credited to your bank within two to three days after redemption. Except as set forth below, proceeds will be paid within seven calendar days after a Fund receives your redemption request. Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for up to seven days, as permitted by federal securities law.
Please note that if the Transfer Agent has not yet collected payment for the shares you are redeeming, it may delay sending the proceeds until the payment is collected, which may take up to 12 calendar days from the purchase date. This delay will not apply if you purchased your shares via wire payment. Furthermore, there are certain times when you may be unable to sell Fund shares or receive proceeds. Specifically, the Funds may suspend the right to redeem shares or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven calendar days: (1) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted; (2) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (3) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders. Your ability to redeem shares by telephone will be restricted for 15 calendar days after you change your address. You may change your address at any time by telephone or written request, addressed to the Transfer Agent. Confirmations of an address change will be sent to both your old and new address.
Signature Guarantee. Redemption proceeds will be sent to the address of record. The Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee for certain redemption requests. A signature guarantee assures that your signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account redemptions. Signature guarantees can be obtained from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”), but not from a notary public. A signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, is required of each owner in the following situations:
•If ownership is being changed on your account;
•When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
•When a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has changed within the last 15 calendar days; or
•For all redemptions in excess of $100,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial transactions, including establishing or modifying the ability to purchase and redeem Fund shares by telephone and certain other services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.
In addition to the situations described above, the Funds and/or the Transfer Agent reserve(s) the right to require a signature guarantee or other acceptable signature verification in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.
Redemption by Mail. You may execute most redemptions by furnishing an unconditional written request to a Fund to redeem your shares at the current NAV per share. Written redemption requests should be sent to the Transfer Agent at:
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Regular Mail Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services P.O. Box 701 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 | | Overnight or Express Mail Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Funds. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.
Wire Redemption. Wire transfers may be arranged to redeem shares. However, the Transfer Agent charges a fee, currently $15, per wire redemption against your account on dollar specific trades, and from proceeds on complete redemptions and share-specific trades.
Telephone Redemption. If you have accepted telephone transactions on your Account Application or have been authorized to perform telephone transactions by subsequent arrangement in writing with the Funds, you may redeem shares, in amounts of $100,000 or less, by instructing a Fund by telephone at 1-877-914-7343. Investors in an IRA or other retirement plan will be asked whether or not to withhold federal income tax.
In order to qualify for, or to change, telephone redemption privileges on an existing account, a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source may be required of all shareholders in order to qualify for, or to change, telephone redemption privileges on an existing account. Telephone redemptions will not be made if you have notified the Transfer Agent of a change of address within 15 calendar days before the redemption request. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waiting times. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction. The Funds are not responsible for delays due to communication or transmission outages or failures.
Note: Neither the Funds nor any of its service providers will be liable for any loss or expense in acting upon instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine. To confirm that all telephone instructions are genuine, the Funds will use reasonable procedures, such as requesting that you correctly state:
•Your Fund account number;
•The name in which your account is registered; and/or
•The Social Security or taxpayer identification number under which the account is registered.
If an account has more than one owner or person authorized to perform transactions, the Funds will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person.
Systematic Withdrawal Program. The Funds offer a systematic withdrawal plan (“SWP”) whereby shareholders or their representatives may request a redemption in a specific dollar amount of at least $100 be sent to them each month, calendar quarter, or annually. Investors may choose to have a check sent to the address of record, or proceeds may be sent to a pre-designated bank account via the ACH network. To start this program, your account must have Fund shares with a value of at least $10,000. This program may be terminated or modified by the Fund at any time. Any request to change or terminate your SWP should be communicated in writing or by telephone to the Transfer Agent no later than five days before
the next scheduled withdrawal. A withdrawal under the SWP involves redemption of Fund shares, and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the amount requested to be withdrawn exceeds the amount available in your account, which includes any dividends credited to your account, the account will ultimately be depleted. To establish the SWP, complete the SWP section of the Account Application. Please call 1-877-914-7343 for additional information regarding the SWP.
Each Fund’s Right to Redeem an Account. Each Fund reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder whose account balance is less than $1,000, other than as a result of a decline in the NAV of a Fund. The Funds will provide a shareholder with written notice 30 days prior to redeeming the shareholder’s account.
Redemption-in-Kind. The Funds generally pay redemption proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of a Fund’s remaining shareholders), a Fund may pay all or part of a shareholder’s redemption proceeds in portfolio securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption-in-kind).
Specifically, if the amount you are redeeming from a Fund during any 90-day period is in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund’s net assets, valued at the beginning of such period, a Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds this threshold in securities instead of cash. If a Fund pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur taxes, brokerage commissions, or other charges in converting the securities to cash, and you may incur a taxable capital gain or loss as a result of the distribution. In addition, you will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash.
Cancellations and Modifications. The Funds will not accept a request to cancel or modify a transaction once processing has begun. Please exercise care when placing a transaction request.
Dividends and Distributions
Each Fund will declare daily and make monthly distributions of net investment income. Each Fund will also distribute net capital gains, if any, at least annually, typically during the month of December. The Funds may make additional distributions if deemed to be desirable at other times during the year.
All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you choose one of the following options: (1) receive distributions of net capital gains in cash, while reinvesting net investment income distributions in additional Fund shares; (2) receive all distributions in cash; or (3) reinvest net capital gain distributions in additional Fund shares, while receiving distributions of net investment income in cash.
If you wish to change your distribution option, write or call the Transfer Agent in advance of the payment date of the distribution. However, any such change will be effective only as to distributions for which the record date is five or more calendar days after the Transfer Agent has received your request.
If you elect to receive distributions in cash and the U.S. Postal Service is unable to deliver your check, or if a check remains uncashed for six months, each Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account at a Fund’s then current NAV per share and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.
Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions
The Funds are intended for long-term investors. Short-term “market-timers” who engage in frequent purchases and redemptions may disrupt a Fund’s investment program and create additional transaction costs that are borne by all of a Fund’s shareholders. The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to discourage excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm performance. The Funds take steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities in the Funds. These steps include, among other
things, monitoring trading activity, and using fair value pricing. Although these efforts are designed to discourage abusive trading practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that such activity will occur. The Fund seeks to exercise judgment in implementing these tools to the best of its ability, and in a manner that it believes is consistent with shareholder interests. Except as noted herein, the Funds apply all restrictions uniformly in all applicable cases.
Monitoring Trading Practices. Each Fund monitors selected trades in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, a Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. In making such judgments, each Fund seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of its shareholders. The Funds use a variety of techniques to monitor for and detect abusive trading practices. These techniques may change from time to time as determined by each Fund in its sole discretion. To minimize harm to a Fund and its shareholders, the Funds reserve the right to reject any purchase order (but not a redemption request), in whole or in part, for any reason and without prior notice. The Funds may decide to restrict purchase and sale activity in their shares based on various factors, including whether frequent purchase and sale activity will disrupt portfolio management strategies and adversely affect Fund performance.
Fair Value Pricing. Each Fund employs fair value pricing selectively to ensure greater accuracy in its daily NAV and to prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to take advantage of temporary market anomalies. The Board of Trustees has developed procedures that utilize fair value pricing when reliable market quotations are not readily available or when corporate events, events in the securities market and/or world events cause the Adviser to believe that a security’s last sale price may not reflect its actual market value. Valuing securities at fair value involves reliance on judgment. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. There can be no assurance that a Fund will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which a Fund determines its NAV per share. More detailed information regarding fair value pricing can be found in this Prospectus under the heading titled, “Pricing of Fund Shares.”
Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying abusive trading activity and the volume of shareholder transactions the Fund handles, there can be no assurance that a Fund’s efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive. In particular, since each Fund receives purchase and sale orders through Authorized Intermediaries that use group or omnibus accounts, a Fund cannot always detect frequent trading. However, the Funds will work with Authorized Intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, each Fund has entered into information sharing agreements with Authorized Intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to a Fund, at the Fund’s request, certain information relating to their customers investing in a Fund through non-disclosed or omnibus accounts. The Funds will use this information to attempt to identify abusive trading practices. Authorized Intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the Funds to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in abusive trading in violation of the Funds’ policies. However, the Funds cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to them from Authorized Intermediaries and cannot ensure that they will always be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through non-disclosed and omnibus accounts. As a result, the Funds’ ability to monitor and discourage abusive trading practices in non-disclosed and omnibus accounts may be limited.
Tax Consequences
The Funds anticipate that substantially all of their distributions will be exempt from regular federal income taxes. All or a portion of these dividends, however, may be subject to state and local taxes or to the AMT. The Funds also may make distribution that are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains.
Because of these tax exemptions, a tax-free fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans and other tax-exempt investors. These dividends may be taxable to corporate shareholders subject to a state's corporate franchise tax, corporate income tax, or both and such shareholders should consult with their tax advisors about the taxability of this income before investing in a Fund.
Exempt-interest dividends are taken into account when determining the taxable portion of your social security or railroad retirement benefits. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in private activity bonds. The income from these bonds is a tax preference item when determining federal alternative minimum tax for noncorporate shareholders, unless such bonds were issued in 2009 or 2010.
While each Fund endeavors to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities, there are risks that: (i) a security issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a state tax authority as taxable and/or (ii) future legislative, administrative, or court actions could adversely impact the qualification of income from a tax-exempt security as tax-free. Such reclassifications or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting you to increased tax liability. In addition, such reclassifications or actions could cause the value of a security, and therefore, the value of a Fund's shares, to decline.
Distributions of a Fund’s net investment company taxable income (which includes, but is not limited to, interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains and net gains from foreign currency transactions), if any, are generally taxable to a Fund’s shareholders as ordinary income. To the extent that a Fund’s distributions of net investment company taxable income are designated as attributable to “qualified dividend” income, such income may be subject to tax at the reduced rate of federal income tax applicable to non-corporate shareholders for net long-term capital gains, if certain holding period requirements have been satisfied by the shareholder. To the extent a Fund’s distributions of net investment company taxable income are attributable to net short-term capital gains, such distributions will be treated as ordinary dividend income for the purposes of income tax reporting and will not be available to offset a shareholder’s capital losses from other investments.
Distributions of net capital gains (net long-term capital gains less net short-term capital losses) are generally taxable as long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum federal rate of 20% for individual shareholders in the highest income tax bracket) regardless of the length of time that a shareholder has owned Fund shares, unless you are a tax exempt organization or are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Distributions by a Fund that are not paid from its earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares (but not below zero) and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of shares.
A 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income (including capital gains and dividends) will also be imposed on individuals, estates and trusts, subject to certain income thresholds.
You will be taxed in the same manner whether you receive your distributions (whether of net investment company taxable income or net capital gains) in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable as if received on December 31.
Shareholders who sell, or redeem, shares generally will have a capital gain or loss from the sale or redemption. The amount of the gain or loss and the applicable rate of federal income tax will depend generally upon the amount paid for the shares, the amount of reinvested taxable distributions, if any, the amount received from the sale or redemption and how long the shares were held by a shareholder. Any loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less, however, is treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of net capital gain received on such shares. In determining the holding period of such shares for this purpose, any period during which
your risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not counted. If you purchase Fund shares within 30 days before or after redeeming other Fund shares at a loss, all or part of that loss will not be deductible and will instead increase the basis of the newly purchased shares.
Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status of all distributions made by a Fund for the preceding year. Distributions by a Fund and gains from the sale of Fund shares may also be subject to state and local taxes. Additional tax information may be found in the SAI.
This section assumes you are a U.S. shareholder and is not intended to be a full discussion of federal tax laws and the effect of such laws on you. There may be other federal, state, foreign or local tax considerations applicable to a particular investor. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor.
Other Fund Policies
Telephone Transactions. If you have accepted telephone transactions on your Account Application or have been authorized to perform telephone transactions by subsequent arrangement in writing with a Fund, you may be responsible for fraudulent telephone orders made to your account as long as a Fund has taken reasonable precautions to verify your identity. In addition, once you place a telephone transaction request, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time).
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone transactions may be difficult to complete. If you are unable to contact a Fund by telephone, you may also mail the requests to a Fund at the address listed previously in the “How to Purchase Shares” section.
Telephone trades must be received by or prior to the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior to the close of the NYSE.
Policies of Other Financial Intermediaries. Financial intermediaries may establish policies that differ from those of a Fund. For example, the institution may charge transaction fees, set higher minimum investments or impose certain limitations on buying or selling shares in addition to those identified in this Prospectus. Please contact your financial intermediary for details.
Closing the Fund. The Board of Trustees retains the right to close (or partially close) a Fund to new purchases if it is determined to be in the best interest of a Fund’s shareholders. Based on market and Fund conditions, and in consultation with the Adviser, the Board of Trustees may decide to close a Fund to new investors, all investors or certain classes of investors (such as fund supermarkets) at any time. If a Fund is closed to new purchases, it will continue to honor redemption requests, unless the right to redeem shares has been temporarily suspended as permitted by federal law.
Householding. In an effort to decrease costs, each Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses and other similar reports you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders a Fund reasonably believes are from the same family or household. If you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call toll-free at 1-877-914-7343 to request individual copies of these documents. Once a Fund receives notice to stop householding, a Fund will begin sending individual copies 30 days after receiving your request. This Householding policy does not apply to account statements.
Lost Shareholders, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property. It is important that the Funds maintain a correct address for each shareholder. An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings to be returned to the Funds. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Funds will attempt to locate the shareholder or rightful owner of the account. If the Funds are unable to locate the shareholder, then they will determine whether the shareholder’s account can legally be
considered abandoned. Your mutual fund account may be transferred to the state government of your state of residence if no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your state’s abandoned property laws. The Funds are legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The shareholder’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction. Please proactively contact the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-877-914-7343 at least annually to ensure your account remains in active status.
If you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller. Please contact the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation of Representative form.
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Distribution of Fund Shares |
The Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) is located at 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, and serves as distributor and principal underwriter to the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuous basis.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Funds may pay service fees to intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, including affiliates of the Adviser, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.
The Adviser, out of its own resources and without additional cost to each Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments to intermediaries who sell shares of the Funds. These payments and compensation are in addition to service fees paid by the Funds, if any. Payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. Payments may also be paid to intermediaries for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. Compensation may be paid as an expense reimbursement in cases in which the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Funds. The Adviser may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of the shares sold.
The financial highlights in the following tables are intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the annual report, which is available upon request or on the Funds’ website at https://principalstreetfunds.com/.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund - For a Fund share outstanding throughout the periods.
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A Class | Year Ended August 31, 2023 | | For the Period Inception(1) through August 31, 2022 |
PER SHARE DATA: | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $7.87 | | | $8.74 | |
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INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | |
Net investment income | 0.43 | | | 0.24 | |
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments | (0.74) | | | (0.87) | |
Total from investment operations | (0.31) | | | (0.63) | |
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LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: | | | |
Net investment income | (0.45) | | | (0.24) | |
Net realized gains | — | | | — | |
Total distributions | (0.45) | | | (0.24) | |
Net asset value, end of period | $7.11 | | | $7.87 | |
| | | |
TOTAL RETURN(2)(3) | -4.02 | % | | -7.27 | % |
| | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) | $5,739 | | | $375 | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(4) | 1.27 | % | | 1.27 | % |
After expense waiver(4) | 1.23 | % | | 1.20 | % |
Ratio of expenses excluding interest expense to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(4) | 1.07 | % | | 1.06 | % |
After expense waiver(4) | 1.03 | % | | 0.98 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | | | |
After expense waiver(4) | 5.52 | % | | 5.44 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(2)(5) | 21 | % | | 53 | % |
(1)Inception date for the A Class was February 16, 2022.
(2)Not annualized for period less than one year.
(3)Return does not include sales load.
(4)Annualized for period less than one year.
(5)Portfolio turnover disclosed is for the Fund as a whole.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund - For a Fund share outstanding throughout the years.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Class | Year Ended August 31, 2023 | | Year Ended August 31, 2022 | | Year Ended August 31, 2021 | | Year Ended August 31, 2020 | | Year Ended August 31, 2019 |
PER SHARE DATA: | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $7.91 | | | $9.27 | | | $9.12 | | | $10.36 | | | $10.34 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | 0.43 | | | 0.46 | | | 0.51 | | | 0.60 | | | 0.60 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.67) | | | (1.35) | | | 0.15 | | | (1.24) | | | 0.22 | |
Total from investment operations | (0.24) | | | (0.89) | | | 0.66 | | | (0.64) | | | 0.82 | |
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | (0.46) | | | (0.47) | | | (0.51) | | | (0.56) | | | (0.60) | |
Net realized gains | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.04) | | | (0.20) | |
Total distributions | (0.46) | | | (0.47) | | | (0.51) | | | (0.60) | | | (0.80) | |
Net asset value, end of year | $7.21 | | | $7.91 | | | $9.27 | | | $9.12 | | | $10.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL RETURN | -2.94 | % | | -9.88 | % | | 7.49 | % | | -6.34 | % | | 8.36 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (in 000’s) | $240,235 | | | $272,640 | | | $289,438 | | | $201,763 | | | $155,658 | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Before expense waiver | 1.04 | % | | 0.86 | % | | 0.78 | % | | 0.80 | % | | 0.83 | % |
After expense waiver | 1.00 | % | | 0.83 | % | | 0.73 | % | | 0.74 | % | | 0.74 | % |
Ratio of expenses excluding interest expense to average net assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Before expense waiver | 0.81 | % | | 0.76 | % | | 0.77 | % | | 0.79 | % | | 0.82 | % |
After expense waiver | 0.77 | % | | 0.73 | % | | 0.73 | % | | 0.73 | % | | 0.73 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | | | | | | | | | |
After expense waiver | 5.75 | % | | 5.35 | % | | 5.70 | % | | 6.28 | % | | 5.82 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(1) | 21 | % | | 53 | % | | 64 | % | | 41 | % | | 33 | % |
(1)Portfolio turnover disclosed is for the Fund as a whole.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund - For a Fund share outstanding throughout the periods.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investor Class | Year Ended August 31, 2023 | | Year Ended August 31, 2022 | | Year Ended August 31, 2021 | | For the Period Inception(1) through August 31, 2020 |
PER SHARE DATA: | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $7.96 | | | $9.32 | | | $9.18 | | | $8.66 | |
| | | | | | | |
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | 0.40 | | | 0.41 | | | 0.48 | | | 0.22 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.70) | | | (1.35) | | | 0.13 | | | 0.51(5) |
Total from investment operations | (0.30) | | | (0.94) | | | 0.61 | | | 0.73 | |
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | (0.43) | | | (0.42) | | | (0.47) | | | (0.21) | |
Net realized gains | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total distributions | (0.43) | | | (0.42) | | | (0.47) | | | (0.21) | |
Net asset value, end of period | $7.23 | | | $7.96 | | | $9.32 | | | $9.18 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL RETURN(2) | -3.81 | % | | -10.28 | % | | 6.82 | % | | 8.56 | % |
| | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) | $28,801 | | | $20,740 | | | $12,420 | | | $278 | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | | | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.54 | % | | 1.38 | % | | 1.28 | % | | 1.32 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 1.50 | % | | 1.35 | % | | 1.24 | % | | 1.23 | % |
Ratio of expenses excluding interest expense to average net assets: | | | | | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.31 | % | | 1.26 | % | | 1.27 | % | | 1.32 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 1.27 | % | | 1.23 | % | | 1.23 | % | | 1.23 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | | | | | | | |
After expense waiver(3) | 5.25 | % | | 4.89 | % | | 5.20 | % | | 6.21 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(2)(4) | 21 | % | | 53 | % | | 64 | % | | 41 | % |
(1)Inception date for the Investor Class was March 23, 2020.
(2)Not annualized for period less than one year.
(3)Annualized for period less than one year.
(4)Portfolio turnover disclosed is for the Fund as a whole.
(5)The realized and unrealized gain per share in this caption is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains on the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the period.
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund - For a Fund share outstanding throughout the periods.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Class | Year Ended August 31, 2023 | | For the Period Inception(1) through August 31, 2022 |
PER SHARE DATA: | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $4.26 | | | $4.25 | |
| | | |
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | |
Net investment income | 0.14 | | | 0.03 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.04) | | | 0.01(5) |
Total from investment operations | 0.10 | | | 0.04 | |
| | | |
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: | | | |
Net investment income | (0.14) | | | (0.03) | |
Net realized gains | — | | | — | |
Total distributions | (0.14) | | | (0.03) | |
Net asset value, end of period | $4.22 | | | $4.26 | |
| | | |
TOTAL RETURN(2) | 2.36 | % | | 1.02 | % |
| | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) | $53,211 | | | $29,970 | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.09 | % | | 4.41 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 0.71 | % | | 0.70 | % |
Ratio of expenses excluding interest expense to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.09 | % | | 4.41 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 0.70 | % | | 0.70 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | | | |
After expense waiver(3) | 3.42 | % | | 2.52 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(2)(4) | 75 | % | | 24 | % |
(1)Inception date for the Fund was April 27, 2022.
(2)Not annualized for period less than one year.
(3)Annualized for period less than one year.
(4)Portfolio turnover disclosed is for the Fund as a whole.
(5)The realized and unrealized gain per share in this caption is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains on the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the period.
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund - For a Fund share outstanding throughout the periods.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Investor Class | Year Ended August 31, 2023 | | For the Period Inception(1) through August 31, 2022 |
PER SHARE DATA: | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 4.26 | | | $4.25 | |
| | | |
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | |
Net investment income | 0.13 | | | 0.03 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | $ | (0.05) | | | 0.01(5) |
Total from investment operations | 0.08 | | | 0.04 | |
| | | |
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: | | | |
Net investment income | (0.13) | | | (0.03) | |
Net realized gains | — | | — | |
Total distributions | (0.13) | | | (0.03) | |
Net asset value, end of period | $4.21 | | | $4.26 | |
| | | |
TOTAL RETURN(2) | 1.87 | % | | 0.94 | % |
| | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) | $127 | | $28 | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.37 | % | | 5.60 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 0.95 | % | | 0.96 | % |
Ratio of expenses excluding interest expense to average net assets: | | | |
Before expense waiver(3) | 1.36 | % | | 5.59 | % |
After expense waiver(3) | 0.95 | % | | 0.95 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | | | |
After expense waiver(3) | 3.18 | % | | 2.27 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(2)(4) | 75 | % | | 24 | % |
(1)Inception date for the Fund was April 27, 2022.
(2)Not annualized for period less than one year.
(3)Annualized for period less than one year.
(4)Portfolio turnover disclosed is for the Fund as a whole.
(5)The realized and unrealized gain per share in this caption is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains on the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the period.
The Funds collect only relevant information about you that the law allows or requires them to have in order to conduct their business and properly service you. The Funds collect financial and personal information about you (“Personal Information”) directly (e.g., information on account applications and other forms, such as your name, address, and social security number, and information provided to access account information or conduct account transactions online, such as password, account number, e-mail address, and alternate telephone number), and indirectly (e.g., information about your transactions with us, such as transaction amounts, account balance and account holdings).
The Funds do not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders other than for everyday business purposes such as to process a transaction, service an account, respond to court orders and legal investigations or as otherwise permitted by law. Third parties that may receive this information include companies that provide transfer agency, technology and administrative services to the Funds, as well as the Funds’ investment adviser who is an affiliate of the Funds. If you maintain a retirement/educational custodial account directly with the Funds, we may also disclose your Personal Information to the custodian for that account for shareholder servicing purposes. The Funds limit access to your Personal Information provided to unaffiliated third parties to information necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities to the Funds. All shareholder records will be disposed of in accordance with applicable law. The Funds maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your Personal Information and requires its third-party service providers with access to such information to treat your Personal Information with the same high degree of confidentiality.
In the event that you hold shares of the Funds through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, credit union or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary governs how your non-public personal information is shared with unaffiliated third parties.
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
Each a series of Managed Portfolio Series
You can find more information about the Fund in the following documents:
Statement of Additional Information
The SAI provides additional details about the investments and techniques of the Funds and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports provide additional information about the Funds’ investments. The annual reports contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Funds’ performance during its prior fiscal period.
You can obtain a free copy of these documents and the SAI, request other information, or make general inquiries about the Funds by calling the Funds (toll-free) at 1-877-914-7343, by visiting the Funds’ website at https://principalstreetfunds.com or by writing to:
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
You can review and copy information, including the Funds’ reports and SAI, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling (202) 551‑8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are also available:
•Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov; or
•For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
| | |
(The Trust’s SEC Investment Company Act of 1940 file number is 811-22525) |
Investment Adviser
Principal Street Partners, LLC
949 South Shady Grove Road, Suite 402
Memphis, TN 38120
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
342 North Water Street, Suite 830
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2005 Market Street, Suite 2600
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Custodian
U.S. Bank N.A.
Custody Operations
1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
PRINCIPAL STREET HIGH INCOME MUNICIPAL FUND
Institutional Class – GSTAX
Investor Class – GSTEX
A Class – GSTFX
PRINCIPAL STREET SHORT TERM MUNICIPAL FUND
Investor Class – PSTEX
Institutional Class – PSTYX
Statement of Additional Information
December 29, 2023
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides general information about the Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund (the "High Income Fund") and the Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund (the "Short Term Fund") (together, the “Funds”), a series of Managed Portfolio Series (the “Trust”). This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ current prospectus dated December 29, 2023 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented and amended from time to time. In addition, the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds’ annual report dated August 31, 2023. To obtain a copy of the Prospectus, free of charge, please write or call the Funds at the address or toll-free telephone number below, or visit the Funds’ website at https://principalstreetfunds.com/. Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
1-877-914-7343
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Trust and the Funds
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on January 27, 2011, and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company. The Funds are two series, or mutual funds, of the Trust. The High Income Fund commenced operations on September 15, 2017. Prior to October 15, 2019, the High Income Fund's name was the Green Square High Income Municipal Fund. Prior to May 31, 2019, the High Income Fund’s name was the Green Square Tax Exempt High Income Fund. The High Income Fund has three classes of shares: Institutional Class, Investor Class, and A Class shares. Institutional Class shares of the High Income Fund commenced operations on September 15, 2017. Investor Class shares of the High Income Fund commenced operations on March 23, 2020. A Class shares of the High Income Fund commenced operations on February 16, 2022.
The Short Term Fund has two classes of shares: Investor Class and Institutional Class. The Short Term Fund is a non-diversified series and has its own investment objective and policies.
Shares of other series of the Trust are offered in separate prospectuses and SAIs. The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for purposes of investment and investor services, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series of the Trust. The Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI are a part of the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of the Trust’s complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee, or may be accessed free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. As permitted by Delaware law, the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may create additional classes of the Funds and may create additional series (and classes thereof) of the Trust and offer shares of these series and classes under the Trust at any time without the vote of shareholders.
Principal Street Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for the Funds.
All shares of a series shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets held with respect to that series (subject to the liabilities held with respect to that series and such rights and preferences as may have been established and designated with respect to classes of shares of such series), and each share of a series shall be equal to each other share of that series.
Shares are voted in the aggregate and not by series or class, except in matters where a separate vote is required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or when the matters affect only the interest of a particular series or class. When matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share owned and fractional votes for fractional shares owned.
The Trust does not normally hold annual meetings of shareholders. Meetings of the shareholders shall be called by any member of the Board upon written request of shareholders holding, in the aggregate, not less than 10% of the shares, such request specifying the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is to be called.
Interests in each Fund are represented by shares of beneficial interest, each with no par value per share. Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to a Fund and is entitled to such distributions out of the income belonging to a Fund as may be declared by the Board.
The Board has the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series without materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the shares of that series in the assets belonging to that series or materially
affecting the rights of shares of any other series. In case of the liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated are entitled to receive a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series (or class thereof) are borne by that series (or class). Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by, or under the direction of, the Board to all applicable series (and classes thereof) in such manner and on such basis as the Board in its sole discretion deems fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever with respect to the Trust or any series of the Trust without his or her express consent.
All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of a Fund’s shares, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, subject only to the rights of creditors, shall constitute the underlying assets of a Fund.
Investment Objective, Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks
The following discussion supplements the description of the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies and principal risks set forth in the Prospectus. Except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below (see “Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Investment Limitations”), the Fund’s investment strategies and policies are not fundamental and may be changed by sole action of the Board, without shareholder approval. While the Fund is permitted to hold securities and engage in various strategies as described hereafter, it is not obligated to do so. The Fund might not invest in all of these types of securities or use all of these techniques at any one time. The Fund's transactions in a particular type of security or use of a particular technique is subject to limitations imposed by the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Fund's Prospectus and/or this SAI, as well as the federal securities laws.
Investment Objective
The investment objective of each Fund is set forth under the “Summary Section” in the Funds’ Prospectus.
Diversification/Non-Diversification
The High Income Fund is diversified. A diversified fund is a fund that satisfies the definition of a “diversified company” set forth in the 1940 Act.
The Short Term Fund is non-diversified. A non-diversified fund is a fund that does not satisfy the definition of a “diversified company” set forth in the 1940 Act.
A “diversified company” means that as to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, excluding cash, government securities and securities of other investment companies, (1) no more than 5% may be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (2) the Fund may not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.
Because the Funds intend to qualify as “regulated investment companies” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), each Fund will limit its investments, excluding cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, so that at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (1) not more than 25% of a Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (2) with respect to 50% of its total assets, not more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets will be invested in the
securities of a single issuer and each Fund will not hold more than 10% of such issuer’s outstanding voting securities.
Percentage Limitations
Each Fund’s compliance with its investment policy and limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of a Fund’s acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, except with respect to borrowing or illiquid investments, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether an investment complies with a Fund’s investment policies and limitations. In addition, if a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular investment by a Fund, the Fund may receive stock, real estate or other investments that a Fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, a Fund will sell such investments as soon as practicable while trying to maximize the return to its shareholders.
Market Volatility
U.S. and international markets have from time to time experienced significant volatility. Certain social, political, economic, environmental and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters and weather-related phenomena generally, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) may adversely interrupt the global economy and result in prolonged periods of significant market volatility. During certain volatile periods, the fixed income markets have experienced substantially lower valuations, reduced liquidity, price volatility, credit downgrades, increased likelihood of default and valuation difficulties. Concerns have spread to domestic and international equity markets. In some cases, the stock prices of individual companies have been negatively impacted even though there may be little or no apparent degradation in the financial conditions or prospects of that company. Continued volatility may have adverse effects on the Funds, and the risks discussed below and in the Prospectus may increase.
The outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the global economy and negatively impacted economic growth prospects. It is not possible to estimate the impact that COVID-19 outbreak will continue to have on the companies in a Fund’s portfolio, but the prolonged effect on the global economy will largely depend upon the duration of the pandemic. Such events may adversely affect a Fund’s performance. The Adviser continues to monitor this situation closely.
Equity Securities
An equity security represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company. Its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets and general market conditions. The value of equity securities will be affected by changes in the stock markets, which may be the result of domestic or international political or economic news, changes in interest rates or changing investor sentiment. At times, stock markets can be volatile and stock prices can change substantially. Equity securities risk affects a Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), which will fluctuate as the value of the securities it holds changes. Not all stock prices change uniformly or at the same time, and not all stock markets move in the same direction at the same time. Other factors affect a particular stock’s prices, such as poor earnings reports by an issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against an issuer, or changes in governmental regulations affecting an industry. Adverse news affecting one company can sometimes depress the stock prices of all companies in the same industry. Not all factors can be predicted. Common stocks and preferred stocks are examples of equity securities. The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease.
Common Stock
Common stock represents an ownership interest in a company. In addition to the general risks set forth above, investments in common stocks are subject to the risk that in the event a company in
which a Fund invests is liquidated, the holders of preferred stock and creditors of that company will be paid in full before any payments are made to a Fund as holders of common stock. It is possible that all assets of that company will be exhausted before any payments are made to a Fund.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock represents an ownership interest in a company, often pays dividends at a specific rate and has a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets. A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer. In addition, preferred stock usually does not have voting rights.
Debt Securities
Each Fund may invest in a wide range of debt securities, which may include investment grade debt securities and below investment grade debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds” or “high yield bonds” or leveraged loans). Investment grade debt securities are those rated BBB- or better by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, Inc. (“S&P”) or Baa3 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or BBB- or better by Fitch Ratings Service (“Fitch”), each of which are considered a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), or an equivalent rating by another NRSRO. Securities rated BBB- by S&P are considered investment grade, but Moody’s considers securities rated Baa3 to have speculative characteristics. The Funds will not invest in securities that are rated below D by S&P or Moody’s. A Fund may hold a debt security rated below D if a downgrade occurs after the security has been purchased. Each Fund may also invest in unrated debt securities that the Adviser believes are of comparable quality to the rated securities which a Fund may purchase.
Ratings of Debt Obligations. Moody’s, S&P and other NRSROs are private organizations that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations. The Funds may consider these ratings in determining whether to purchase, sell or hold a security. Ratings are not absolute assurances of quality. Consequently, securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different market prices. Credit rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer’s current financial condition may be better or worse than the rating indicates. Credit rating agencies receive fees from rated issuers in connection with the issuance of ratings.
Below Investment Grade Debt Securities. Below investment grade debt securities generally offer a higher current yield than that available for investment grade issues. However, below investment grade debt securities involve higher risks, in that they are especially subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of the issuers and to price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default. At times in recent years, the prices of many below investment grade debt securities declined substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on below investment grade debt securities rose dramatically, reflecting the risk that holders of such securities could lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of the issuers’ financial restructuring or default. There can be no assurance that such price declines will not recur. The market for below investment grade debt issues generally is thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit
a Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade debt securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Changes by recognized rating services in their rating of a debt security may affect the value of these investments. A Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. However, the Adviser will monitor the investment to determine whether continued investment in the security will assist in meeting a Fund’s investment objective.
Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations, although corporate debt instruments may also include bank loans to companies. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. Commercial paper has the shortest term and is usually unsecured.
The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry fixed, variable, or floating rates of interest.
Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of its issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk.
Corporate debt securities carry credit risk, interest rate risk and prepayment risk. Credit risk is the risk that a Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment grade are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities. The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior or secured) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated or unsecured) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior or secured securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior or unsecured securities.
Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of certain corporate debt securities will tend to fall when interest rates rise. In general, corporate debt securities with longer terms tend to fall more in value when interest rates rise than corporate debt securities with shorter terms. Prepayment risk occurs when issuers may prepay fixed rate debt securities when interest rates fall, forcing a Fund to invest in securities with lower interest rates. Issuers of debt securities are also subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors that may restrict the ability of the issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities. The possibility exists therefore, that, as a result of bankruptcy, litigation or other conditions, the ability of an issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities represent an interest in a pool of assets such as car loans and credit card receivables. Almost any type of fixed income assets (including other fixed income securities) may be used to create an asset-backed security. However, most asset-backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with weighted average lives of ten years or less. Asset-backed securities may have a higher level of default and lower recoveries than mortgage-backed securities. Some tranches of asset-backed securities have substantial amounts of credit enhancement in order to seek to help mitigate or minimize the risk of principal or interest loss as a result of normalized levels of defaults and recoveries, which may increase their overall credit rating. Asset-backed securities may have a higher level of default and lower recoveries than mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities may take the form of commercial paper or notes, in addition to pass-through certificates or asset-backed bonds.
Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) are a type of asset-backed security. CLOs are ordinarily issued by a trust or other special purpose entity and are typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans, held by such issuer.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-Backed Securities generally represent interests in pools of mortgages on residential or commercial property. Mortgages may have fixed or adjustable interest rates. Interests in pools of adjustable rate mortgages are known as ARMs. Mortgage-backed securities come in a variety of forms. Many have extremely complicated terms. The simplest form of mortgage-backed securities is a “pass-through certificate.” Holders of pass-through certificates receive a pro rata share of the payments from the underlying mortgages. Holders also receive a pro rata share of any prepayments, so they assume all the prepayment risk of the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities tend to pay higher yields to compensate for prepayment risk.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are complicated instruments that allocate payments and prepayments from an underlying pass-through certificate among holders of different classes of mortgage-backed securities. This creates different prepayment and market risks for each CMO class. In addition, CMOs may allocate interest payments to one class (Interest Only or IOs) and principal payments to another class (Principal Only or POs). POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs’ prices tend to increase when interest rates rise (and prepayments fall), making IOs a useful hedge against market risk.
Residential mortgage-backed securities include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on residential real property. Residential mortgages may be issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies, some of which do not have an explicit U.S. Government guarantee, or by private issuers. Residential mortgages issued or guaranteed by private issuers typically have more credit risk than those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies. Generally, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages at any time without penalty. Homeowners frequently refinance high rate mortgages when mortgage rates fall. This results in the prepayment of the mortgages underlying residential mortgage-backed securities, which deprives holders of the securities of the higher yields. Conversely, when mortgage rates increase, prepayments due to refinancings decline. This extends the life of residential mortgage-backed securities with lower yields. As a result, increases in prepayments of residential mortgage-backed securities purchased at a premium, or decreases in prepayments of residential mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount, may reduce their yield and price. This relationship between interest rates and mortgage prepayments makes the price of residential mortgage-backed securities more volatile than most other types of fixed income securities with comparable credit risks.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property. In addition to prepayment and extension risk, commercial mortgage-backed securities also reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans including, the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of the property owner to make loan payments, the ability of tenants to make lease payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.
Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities are fixed income securities issued by states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities. Although most municipal securities are exempt from federal income tax, municipalities also may issue taxable securities. Tax-exempt securities are generally classified by their source of payment. A Fund’s investments in municipal securities may include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and general obligation bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, tax anticipation notes are issued in anticipation of future seasonal tax revenues, such as from income, sales, use and business taxes and are payable from these future revenues. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of non-tax revenue, such as that available under Federal revenue-sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are securities issued by municipalities to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds provide the funds for the repayment of the bond anticipation notes.
For general obligation bonds, the issuer has pledged its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable only from specific sources; these may include revenues from a particular facility or class of facilities or special tax or other revenue source. Timely payments on general obligation bonds depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.
Project Notes. Project Notes are issued by a state or local housing agency and are sold by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the issuing agency has the primary obligation with respect to its Project Notes, they are also secured by the full faith and credit of the U.S. through agreements with the issuing authority which provide that, if required, the Federal government will lend the issuer an amount equal to the principal of and interest on the Project Notes.
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 or other equity security at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock until the security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. 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. The investment characteristics of each convertible security vary widely, which allows convertible securities to be employed for a variety of investment strategies. Each Fund will exchange or convert convertible securities into shares of underlying common stock when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the investment characteristics of the underlying common stock or other equity security will assist a Fund in achieving its investment objectives. Each Fund may also elect to hold or trade convertible securities. In selecting convertible securities, the Adviser evaluates the investment characteristics of the convertible security as a fixed income instrument, and the investment potential of the underlying equity security for capital appreciation.
Contingent Convertible Securities. Contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”) are a form of hybrid debt security that are intended to either convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of certain “triggers.” The triggers are generally linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institution’s continued viability as a going concern. CoCos’ unique equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuing banking institution and its regulatory requirements. Some additional risks associated with CoCos include, but are not limited to:
•Loss absorption risk. CoCos have fully discretionary coupons. This means coupons can potentially be cancelled at the banking institution’s discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses.
•Subordinated instruments. CoCos will, in the majority of circumstances, be issued in the form of subordinated debt instruments in order to provide the appropriate regulatory capital treatment prior to a conversion. Accordingly, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of an issuer prior to a conversion having occurred, the rights and claims of the holders of the CoCos, such as the Funds, against the issuer in respect of or arising under the terms of the CoCos shall generally rank junior to the claims of all holders of unsubordinated obligations of the issuer. In addition, if the CoCos are converted into the issuer’s underlying equity securities following a conversion event (i.e., a “trigger”), each holder will be subordinated due to their conversion from being the holder of a debt instrument to being the holder of an equity instrument.
•Market value will fluctuate based on unpredictable factors. The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general.
Zero-Coupon Securities. Zero-coupon securities make no periodic interest payments, but are sold at a deep discount from their face value. The buyer recognizes a rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date. The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity, as well as market interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the issuer’s perceived credit quality. If the issuer defaults, the holder may not receive any return on its investment. Because zero-coupon securities bear no interest, their price fluctuates more than other types of bonds. Since zero-coupon bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, zero-coupon securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a current basis. When interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return. An investment in zero-coupon may cause a Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on its investment. Pay-in-kind securities have characteristics similar to those of zero coupon securities, but interest on such securities may be paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash.
Unrated Debt Securities. Each Fund may also invest in unrated debt securities. Unrated debt, while not necessarily lower in quality than rated securities, may not have as broad a market. Because of the size and perceived demand for the issue, among other factors, certain issuers may decide not to pay the cost of getting a rating for their bonds. The creditworthiness of the issuer, as well as any financial institution or other party responsible for payments on the security, will be analyzed to determine whether to purchase unrated bonds.
Bank Loans. Each Fund may invest in bank loans of any seniority. Investing in bank loans involves risks that are additional to and different from those relating to bonds and other types of debt securities.
There is less publicly available, reliable information about most bank loans than is the case for many other types of debt instruments. In certain circumstances, these loans may not be deemed to be securities and bank loans are not subject to many of the rules governing the securities markets, including disclosure requirements. As a result, bank loan investors may not have the protection of the anti-fraud provision of the federal securities laws, and must rely instead on the contractual provisions in the loan agreement and applicable common-law fraud protections. Traditionally, borrowers under bank loans make non-public information available to their lenders. However, as the universe of bank loan market participants has expanded beyond traditional lenders to include dealers, funds, and other investors who are active in the public securities markets, some participants choose not to receive such non-public information and make investment decisions based solely on public information about the borrower. If a Fund purchases a bank loan and elects not to receive non-public information with respect to the loan, it may forego information that would be relevant to its investment decisions.
An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate for bank loans, and a loan may lose significant value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, a Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a loan. No active trading market may exist for certain loans, which may impair the ability of a fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a loan and which may make it difficult to value loans. Adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of some actively traded loans. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads, which may result in limited liquidity and pricing transparency. In addition, loans may be subject to restrictions on sales or assignment and generally are subject to extended settlement periods that may be longer than seven days.
Each Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under a bank loan and with regard to any associated collateral. If a bank loan is acquired through a participation, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, and a Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, each Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.
Each Fund may invest in second-lien loans, which are subordinated to claims of senior secured creditors. Because second-lien loans are subordinated or unsecured and thus lower in priority of payment to senior loans, they are typically lower rated and subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. Second-lien loans generally have greater price volatility than senior loans and may be less liquid.
Yankee Bonds. Each Fund may invest in Yankee bonds. Yankee bonds are U.S. dollar denominated bonds typically issued in the U.S. by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign banks and corporations. Each Fund may also invest in Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”). Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, foreign withholding or other taxes, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls,
interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect and create increased risk relative to payment of principal or interest.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities. Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the base rate. The base rate usually is a benchmark that “floats” or changes to reflect current interest rates, such as (i) the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks, or (ii) the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The applicable benchmark is defined by the terms of an obligation and will remain the same for the life of such obligation. If the benchmark interest rate on a floating rate security changes, the rate payable will, in turn, change at the next scheduled adjustment date.
On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. .Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out at the end of 2021 as originally intended, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published until June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. There remains uncertainty regarding the effect of the LIBOR transition process and the nature of any replacement rate. There is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any alternative reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same volume or liquidity. As a result, any impact of a transition away from LIBOR on the Funds or the instruments in which the Funds invests cannot yet be determined.
Each Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”) and engage in credit spread trades. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, a Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies. The Funds also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.
Inflation-Indexed Securities. Inflation-indexed securities are debt securities, the principal value of which is periodically adjusted to reflect the rate of inflation as indicated by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers before seasonal adjustment (“CPI”). Inflation-indexed securities may be issued by the U.S. government, by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, and by corporations. The U.S. Treasury issues Treasury inflation-protected securities (“TIPS”) and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the CPI accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.
The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed securities is tied to the CPI, which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation, and energy. There can be no assurance that the CPI will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
Inflation, which is a general rise in prices of goods and services, erodes the purchasing power of an investor’s portfolio. For example, if an investment provides a “nominal” total return of 5% in a given
year and inflation is 2% during that period, the inflation-adjusted, or real, return is 3%. Inflation, as measured by the CPI, has occurred in almost each of the past 50 years, so investors should be conscious of both the nominal and real returns of their investments. Although inflation-indexed securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise because of reasons other than inflation (for example, because of changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.
If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation (i.e., the CPI) falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed securities will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the inflation-indexed securities is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. Other inflation-indexed securities include inflation-related bonds, which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
The value of inflation-indexed securities should change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed securities.
Coupon payments that a Fund receives from inflation-indexed securities are included in the Fund’s gross income for the period during which they accrue. Any increase in principal for an inflation-indexed security resulting from inflation adjustments is considered by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations to be taxable income in the year it occurs. For direct holders of an inflation-indexed security, this means that taxes must be paid on principal adjustments, even though these amounts are not received until the bond matures. By contrast, a Fund holding these securities distributes both interest income and the income attributable to principal adjustments each quarter in the form of cash or reinvested shares (which, like principal adjustments, are taxable to shareholders). It may be necessary for a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to make required distributions.
U.S. Government Obligations
Each Fund may invest in U.S. government obligations. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government securities, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises.
Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored enterprises, where it is not obligated to do so (see “Agency Obligations,” below). In addition, U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in market value due to fluctuations in market
interest rates. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
Agency Obligations
Each Fund may invest in agency obligations, such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Tennessee Valley Authority, Resolution Funding Corporation, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), commonly known as “Ginnie Mae,” Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), commonly known as “Fannie Mae,” Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), commonly known as “Freddie Mac,” and the Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), commonly known as “Sallie Mae.” Some, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of United States, are supported only by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the FNMA and FHLMC, are supported by only the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others, such as those of the SLMA, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities because they are not obligated by law to do so. As a result, there is a risk that these entities will default on a financial obligation. For instance, in September 2008, at the direction of the U.S. Treasury, FNMA and FHLMC were placed into conservatorship under the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), a newly created independent regulator.
Cash Investments
Each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments (“Cash Investments”) for (i) temporary defensive purposes in amounts up to 100% of a Fund’s assets in response to adverse market, economic, or political conditions and (ii) retaining flexibility in meeting redemptions, paying expenses, and identifying and assessing investment opportunities. Cash Investments include shares of other mutual funds, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits, savings association obligations, commercial paper, short-term notes (including discount notes), and other obligations.
Each Fund may hold a substantial position in Cash Investments for long periods of time, which may result in a Fund not achieving its investment objective. If the market advances during periods when a Fund is holding a large Cash Investment, a Fund may not participate to the extent it would have if a Fund had been more fully invested. To the extent that a Fund uses a money market fund for its Cash Investment, there will be some duplication of expenses because a Fund would bear its pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.
Cash Investments are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk, although to a lesser extent than longer-term debt securities, due to Cash Investments’ short-term, significant liquidity, and the high credit quality typically associated with such securities.
Each Fund may invest in any of the following Cash Investments:
Money Market Mutual Funds. Generally, money market mutual funds seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. They primarily invest in high quality money market obligations, including U.S. government obligations, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments. These investments generally mature within 397 days from the date of
purchase. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency.
To the extent that a Fund invests in money market mutual funds, your cost of investing in a Fund will generally be higher since you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying money market mutual funds in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Furthermore, investing in money market mutual funds could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by you.
Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits. Each Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by a Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. government.
In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under the investment objective and policies stated above and in the Prospectus, a Fund may make interest-bearing time deposits or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.
Savings Association Obligations. Each Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. government.
Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper, short-term notes, and other corporate obligations. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A‑2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper. While such obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, a Fund may purchase corporate obligations which have remaining maturities of one year or less from the date of purchase and which are rated “A” or higher by S&P, “A” or higher by Moody’s, similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
Illiquid Investments
The Funds may purchase illiquid investments, which may include securities that are not readily marketable and securities that are not registered under the Securities Act. A Fund may not acquire any illiquid investments if, immediately after the acquisition, a Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. The term “illiquid investments” for this purpose means any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the provisions of Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act. The Funds may not be able to sell illiquid investments when the Adviser considers it desirable to do so or may have to sell such investments at a price that is lower than the price that could be obtained if the investments were more liquid. In addition, the sale of illiquid investments also may require more time and may result in higher dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of investments that are more liquid. Illiquid investments also may be more difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such investments, and investments in illiquid investments may have an adverse impact on NAV.
Institutional markets for restricted securities have developed as a result of the promulgation of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, which provides a safe harbor from Securities Act registration requirements for qualifying sales to institutional investors. When Rule 144A restricted securities present an attractive investment opportunity and otherwise meet selection criteria, a Fund may make such investments. Whether or not such investments are illiquid depends on the market that exists for the particular investment. It is not possible to predict with assurance exactly how the market for Rule 144A restricted securities or any other security will develop. An investment which when purchased enjoyed a fair degree of marketability may subsequently become illiquid. In such event, appropriate remedies are considered to minimize the effect on a Fund’s liquidity.
Investment Companies
Each Fund may invest in other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. A Fund generally may purchase or redeem, without limitation, shares of any affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds, including unregistered money market funds, so long as a Fund does not pay a sales load or service fee in connection with the purchase, sale or redemption, or if such fees are paid a Fund’s investment adviser waives its management fee in an amount necessary to offset the amounts paid. With respect to other investments in investment companies, the 1940 Act generally limits a Fund from acquiring (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of another investment company; (ii) shares of another investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of a Fund; or (iii) shares of another registered investment company and all other investment companies having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of a Fund.
Investments by a Fund in other investment companies will be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act (including limitations on sales charges), and the rules and regulations thereunder. By investing in securities of an investment company, a Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of that underlying fund in addition to a Fund’s own fees and expenses.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted regulatory changes related to the ability of an investment company to invest in other investment companies in excess of specified statutory limits. These changes include, among other things, amendments to Rule 12d1-1, the rescission of Rule 12d1-2, the adoption of new Rule 12d1-4, and the rescission of certain exemptive relief issued by the SEC permitting certain fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4, which became effective on January 19, 2021, permits the Fund to invest in other investment companies, including money market funds, beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. The rescission of the applicable exemptive orders and the withdrawal of
the applicable no-action letters was effective on January 19, 2022. Following this effectiveness, an investment company is no longer able to rely on these exemptive orders and no-action letters, and is subject instead to Rule 12d1-4 and other applicable rules under Section 12(d)(1).
Open-End Mutual Funds. Open-end mutual funds are investment companies that issue new shares continuously and redeem shares daily. The risks of investment of open-end mutual funds typically reflect securities in which the funds invest. The NAV per share of an open-end fund will fluctuate daily depending upon the performance of the securities held by a fund. Each open-end fund may have a different investment objective and strategy and different investment portfolio. Different funds may also be subject to different risks, volatility and fees and expenses. When a Fund invests in shares of an open-end fund, shareholders of a Fund bear their proportionate share of the open-end funds’ fees and expenses, as well as their share of a Fund’s fees and expenses.
Exchange-Traded Funds. Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) are typically open-end investment companies that are bought and sold on a national securities exchange. When a Fund invests in an ETF, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the 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 securities it holds. Many ETFs seek to replicate a specific benchmark index. However, an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index for many reasons, including because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of stocks held. Some ETFs are actively managed and instead of replicating, they seek to outperform a particular index or basket or price of a commodity or currency. In addition, shares of an ETF may trade at a market price that is higher or lower than their net asset value and an active trading market in such shares may not develop or continue. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in an ETF being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities it holds. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF.
If a Fund invests in shares of an ETF, shareholders will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying ETF in which a Fund invests in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Each Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases ETFs. Furthermore, investments in other ETFs could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to shareholders and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by investors in a Fund.
Exchange-Traded Notes
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”) are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours. However, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day's market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, issuer call options, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When a Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary
market will exist for an ETN. ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how a Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs. An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. The market value of ETN shares may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Under such agreements, a Fund agrees to purchase U.S. government obligations from a counterparty and the counterparty agrees to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or with government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the SEC or exempt from such registration. A Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer maturities. A Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of a Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid investments including such repurchase agreements. To the extent necessary to facilitate compliance with Section 12(d)(3) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12d3-1 promulgated thereunder, a Fund will ensure that repurchase agreements will be collateralized fully to the extent required by Rule 5b-3.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from a Fund to the seller of the U.S. government obligations that are subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear whether a court would consider the U.S. government obligations to be acquired by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the U.S. government obligations before its repurchase under a repurchase agreement, a Fund could encounter delays and incur costs before being able to sell the underlying U.S. government obligations. Delays may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the U.S. government obligations. If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a security interest in the U.S. government obligations, a Fund may be required to return the securities to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for a Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the other party, in this case the seller of the U.S. government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the U.S. government obligations. However, a Fund will always receive as collateral
for any repurchase agreement to which it is a party securities acceptable to the Adviser, the market value of which is equal to at least 100% of the repurchase price, and a Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market value of the U.S. government obligations subject to the repurchase agreement become less than the repurchase price (including interest), a Fund will direct the seller of the U.S. government obligations to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that a Fund could be unsuccessful in seeking to enforce on the seller a contractual obligation to deliver additional securities.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes with banks and securities dealers if the creditworthiness of the bank or securities dealer has been determined by the Adviser to be satisfactory. A reverse repurchase agreement is a repurchase agreement in which a Fund is the seller of, rather than the investor in, securities and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price. Use of a reverse repurchase agreement may be preferable to a regular sale and later repurchase of securities because it avoids certain market risks and transaction costs.
Reverse repurchase agreements are considered a form of borrowing and the use of reverse repurchase agreements by a Fund creates leverage which increases its investment risk. If the income and gains on securities purchased with the proceeds of these transactions exceed the cost, a Fund’s earnings or NAV will increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if the income and gains fail to exceed the cost, earnings or NAV would decline faster than otherwise would be the case. Each Fund intends to enter into reverse repurchase agreements only if the income from the investment of the proceeds is expected to be greater than the expense of the transaction, because the proceeds are invested for a period no longer than the term of the reverse repurchase agreement.
Dollar Roll Transactions
“Dollar roll” transactions consist of the sale by a fund to a bank or broker-dealer (the “counterparty”) of Ginnie Mae certificates or other mortgage-backed securities together with a commitment to purchase from the counterparty similar, but not identical, securities at a future date. The counterpart receives all principal and interest payments, including prepayments, made on the security while it is the holder. A Fund receives a fee from the counterparty as consideration for entering into the commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed over a period of several months with a different repurchase price and a cash settlement made at each renewal without physical delivery of securities. Moreover, the transaction may be preceded by a firm commitment agreement pursuant to which a fund agrees to buy a security on a future date.
The entry into dollar rolls involves potential risks of loss that are different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. For example, if the counterparty becomes insolvent, a Fund’s right to purchase from the counterparty might be restricted. In addition, the value of such securities may change adversely before a Fund is able to purchase them. Similarly, a Fund may be required to purchase securities in connection with a dollar roll at a higher price than may otherwise be available on the open market. Since, as noted above, the counterparty is required to deliver a similar, but not identical, security to a Fund, the security that a Fund is required to buy under the dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds the transaction costs.
Securities Lending
Each Fund may lend its securities in order to increase the return on its portfolio. The SEC currently requires that the following conditions must be met whenever a Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (1) a Fund must receive liquid collateral of at least 102% for domestic securities and 105%
for foreign securities from the borrower in the form of cash or cash equivalents; (2) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) a Fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) a Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (5) a Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees approved by the Board in connection with the loan; (6) while voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Board must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, and (7) a Fund may not loan its portfolio securities so that the value of the loaned securities is more than one-third of its total asset value, including collateral received from such loans. These conditions may be subject to future modification Such loans will be terminable at any time upon specified notice.
Each Fund might experience the risk of loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with a Fund. In addition, the Funds will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year. The principal risk of portfolio lending is potential default or insolvency of the borrower. In either of these cases, a Fund could experience delays in recovering securities or collateral or could lose all or part of the value of the loaned securities. As part of participating in a lending program, a Fund may be required to invest in collateralized debt or other securities that bear the risk of loss of principal. In addition, all investments made with the collateral received are subject to the risks associated with such investments. If such investments lose value, a Fund will have to cover the loss when repaying the collateral.
The Board appoints agents to be responsible for monitoring the creditworthiness of borrowers. To the extent a Fund is participating in securities lending, on a quarterly basis, the Board reviews a report regarding a Fund’s loans. Such report includes, among other things, the identity and value of all securities comprising each loan, the length of time that the loan has been outstanding, the amount earned by a Fund, the amount of fees paid in connection with the loan and the ratio of the value of the collateral to the value of the loan.
Any loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values that are marked-to-market daily. Any securities that a Fund may receive as collateral will not become part of a Fund’s investment portfolio at the time of the loan and, in the event of a default by the borrower, a Fund will, if permitted by law, dispose of such collateral except for such part thereof that is a security in which a Fund is permitted to invest. During the time securities are on loan, the borrower will pay a Fund any accrued income on those securities, and a Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn income or receive an agreed-upon fee from a borrower that has delivered cash-equivalent collateral.
Borrowing
Each Fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks. This means that the 1940 Act requires a fund to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% of the amount borrowed. In addition, a Fund is authorized to borrow money from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions. The use of borrowing by a Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all of a Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of a Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of a Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if a Fund did not borrow funds. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, a Fund might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. To the extent a Fund invests in similar financing transactions, such as inverse floaters or reverse repurchase agreements, such investments are also subject to this 300% asset coverage requirement.
Cybersecurity Risk
Each Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to operational and information security risks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches of a Fund or its service providers or the issuers of securities in which a Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Each Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Investment Limitations
The Trust (on behalf of the Funds) has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of a Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund.
Each Fund may not:
1. Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets,(1) except that (i) a Fund may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit a Fund from engaging in options transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, purchasing securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward delivery basis, or short sales in accordance with its objectives and strategies;
2. Underwrite the securities of other issuers (except that a Fund may engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities under circumstances where it may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act);
3. Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (although a Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies that invest or deal in real estate);
4. Purchase or sell physical commodities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over a Fund;
5. Make loans of money (except for the lending of a Fund’s portfolio securities, repurchase agreements and purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of a Fund);
6. Invest in the securities of any one industry or group of industries if, as a result, 25% or more of a Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of such industry or group of industries, except that the foregoing does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities(2); or
7. For the High Income Fund, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer; or (2) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
8. For the Short Term Fund, with respect to 50% of the Fund’s total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer; or (2) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer; or
9. For the Short Term Fund, under normal market conditions the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal debt securities, the income from which is exempt from federal regular individual income tax.
(1)With respect to the fundamental policy relating to pledging assets set forth in investment restriction 1 above, a Fund may enter into a secured line of credit for bank borrowings which requires the pledging of its assets as collateral.
(2)Although not part of a Fund's fundamental investment restriction, consistent with SEC Staff interpretations and guidance, governments or their political subdivisions that issue tax-exempt municipal securities are not considered by a Fund to be members of any industry.
Except with respect to borrowing and investments in illiquid investments, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by a Fund will not be considered a violation. With respect to borrowing, if at any time a Fund’s borrowings exceed one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), such borrowings will be reduced within three days, (not including Sundays and holidays) or such longer period as may be permitted by the 1940 Act, to the extent necessary to comply with the one-third limitation. If at any time a Fund’s illiquid investments are greater than 15% of its net assets, a Fund will determine how to remediate the excess illiquid investments in accordance with the 1940 Act and a Fund’s policies and procedures.
Management of the Funds
Board of Trustees
The management and affairs of the Funds are supervised by the Board. The Board consists of four individuals. The Trustees are fiduciaries and are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware in this regard. The Board establishes policies for the operation of the Funds and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Funds.
The Role of the Board of Trustees
The Board provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. Like all mutual funds, the day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various service providers to the Trust and its individual series, such as the Adviser; Quasar Distributors, LLC, the Funds’ principal underwriter (the “Distributor”); U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, the Funds’ administrator (the
“Administrator”) and transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”); and U.S. Bank N.A., the Funds’ Custodian, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and its service providers, including the agreements with the Adviser, Distributor, Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Board has appointed various individuals of certain of these service providers as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trust’s day-to-day operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the Trust’s operations. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) who reports directly to the Board and who administers the Trust’s compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters, including an annual compliance review. Some of these reports are provided as part of formal “Board Meetings,” which are held four times per year, in person, and such other times as the Board determines is necessary, and involve the Board’s review of recent Trust operations. From time to time one or more members of the Board may also meet with Trust officers in less formal settings, between formal Board Meetings to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations or activities.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. The Board is comprised of four Trustees that are not considered to be “interested persons” of the Funds as defined by the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”) – Messrs. David A. Massart, Leonard M. Rush, David M. Swanson and Robert J. Kern. Accordingly, 100% of the members of the Board are Independent Trustees, who are Trustees that are not affiliated with the investment adviser to the Funds or its affiliates or other service providers to the Funds. Prior to July 6, 2020, Mr. Kern was considered an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act (“Interested Trustee”). He was considered an Interested Trustee by virtue of the fact that he had served as a board member of Quasar Distributors, LLC, which acts as principal underwriter to many of the Trust’s series and had been an Executive Vice President of the Administrator.
The Board has established two standing committees, an Audit Committee and a Nominating & Governance Committee. The Committees are discussed in greater detail under “Board Committees” below. Each of the Audit Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees have engaged independent counsel to advise them on matters relating to their responsibilities in connection with the Trust, as well as the Funds.
The Independent Trustees have appointed Leonard M. Rush as Chairman. Prior to July 6, 2020, Mr. Kern served as Chairman of the Trust and Mr. Rush served as lead Independent Trustee with responsibilities to coordinate activities of the Independent Trustees, act as a liaison with the Trust’s service providers, officers, legal counsel, and other Trustees between meetings, help to set Board meeting agendas, and serve as chair during executive sessions of the Independent Trustees.
In accordance with the fund governance standards prescribed by the SEC under the 1940 Act, the Independent Trustees on the Nominating & Governance Committee select and nominate all candidates for Independent Trustee positions. Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board because of his experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as set forth in the subsection “Trustee Qualifications” below.
The Board reviews its structure regularly in light of the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including: the affiliated or unaffiliated nature of each investment adviser; the number of funds that
comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; the committee structure of the Trust; and the independent distribution arrangements of each of the Trust’s series.
The Board has determined that the inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of the Audit Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee allows all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board’s oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes discussed below. Given the composition of the Board and the function and composition of its various committees as described above, the Trust has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various risk management reports and assessments and discusses these matters with appropriate management and other personnel, including personnel of the Trust’s service providers. Because risk management is a broad concept comprised of many elements (such as, for example, investment risk, issuer and counter-party risk, compliance risk, operational risk, business continuity risk, etc.) the oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways. For example, the CCO regularly reports to the Board during Board Meetings and meets in executive session with the Independent Trustees and their legal counsel to discuss compliance and operational risks. In addition, Mr. Rush, the Independent Trustee designated as the Audit Committee’s “audit committee financial expert,” meets with the President, Treasurer and the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Funds’ financial reporting function. The full Board receives reports from the investment advisers to the underlying funds and the portfolio managers as to investment risks.
Trustees and Officers
The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below with their addresses, present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years.
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Name, Address and Year of Birth | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served | Number of Portfolios in Trust Overseen by Trustee | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Other Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five Years |
Independent Trustees |
Leonard M. Rush, CPA 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1946 | Chairman, Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman | Indefinite Term; Since April 2011 | 31 | Retired (2011 to present); Chief Financial Officer, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, (2000-2011). | Independent Trustee, ETF Series Solutions (55 Portfolios) (2012-Present). |
David A. Massart 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1967
| Trustee | Indefinite Term; Since April 2011 | 31 | Partner and Managing Director, Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC (since 2022); Co-Founder and Chief Investment Strategist, Next Generation Wealth Management, Inc. (2005-2021). | Independent Trustee, ETF Series Solutions (55 Portfolios) (2012-Present). |
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David M. Swanson 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1957
| Trustee and Nominating & Governance Committee Chairman | Indefinite Term; Since April 2011 | 31 | Founder and Managing Principal, SwanDog Strategic Marketing, LLC (2006-present). | Independent Trustee, ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 Portfolios) (2006 to Present); Independent Trustee, RiverNorth Funds (3 Portfolios) (2018 to Present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2019 to Present); RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2018 to Present); RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund (1 Portfolio) (2018 to Present); RiverNorth Opportunities Fund (1 Portfolio) (2015 to Present); RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2019 to Present); RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2020 to Present); RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2021 to Present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 Portfolio) (2022 to Present). |
Robert J. Kern 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1958
| Trustee | Indefinite Term; Since January 2011 | 31 | Retired (2018-present); Executive Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (1994-2018). | None |
Officers |
Brian R. Wiedmeyer 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1973 | President and Principal Executive Officer | Indefinite Term; Since November 2018 | N/A | Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2005-present). | N/A |
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Deborah Ward 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1966 | Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer | Indefinite Term; Since April 2013 | N/A | Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2004-present). | N/A |
John Hadermayer 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1977 | Secretary | Indefinite Term; Since May 2022 | N/A | Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2022-present); Executive Director, AQR Capital Management, LLC (2013-2022). | N/A |
Benjamin Eirich 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1981 | Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Vice President | Indefinite Term; Since August 2019 (Treasurer); Indefinite Term; Since November 2018 (Vice President) | N/A | Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2008-present). | N/A |
Sara J. Bollech 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1977 | Assistant Treasurer and Vice President | Indefinite Term; Since November 2021 | N/A | Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2007-Present) | N/A |
Peter A. Walker, CPA 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1993 | Assistant Treasurer and Vice President | Indefinite Term; Since November 2021 | N/A | Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2016-Present) | N/A |
Silanapha Saycocie 615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Year of Birth: 1998 | Assistant Treasurer and Vice President | Indefinite Term; Since November 2023 | N/A | Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2020-Present) | N/A |
Trustee Qualifications
The Board believes that each of the Trustees has the qualifications, experience, attributes and skills appropriate to their continued service as Trustees of the Trust in light of the Trust’s business and structure. The Trustees have substantial business and professional backgrounds that indicate they have the ability to critically review, evaluate and assess information provided to them. Certain of these business and professional experiences are set forth in detail in the table above. In addition, the Trustees have substantial board experience and, in their service to the Trust, have gained substantial insight as to the operation of the Trust. The Board annually conducts a “self-assessment” wherein the effectiveness of the Board and the individual Trustees is reviewed.
In addition to the information provided in the table above, below is certain additional information concerning each individual Trustee. The information provided below, and in the table above, is not all-inclusive. Many of the Trustees’ qualifications to serve on the Board involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work ethic, the ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to exercise judgment, the ability to ask incisive questions, and commitment to shareholder interests.
Mr. Kern’s trustee attributes include substantial industry experience, including over 35 years of service with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the fund accountant (“Fund Accountant”), Administrator, and Transfer Agent to the Trust) where he managed business development and the mutual fund transfer agent operation including investor services, account services, legal compliance, document processing and systems support. He also served as a board member of U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, and previously served as a board member of Quasar Distributors, LLC (the principal underwriter of many of the Trust's series). The Board believes Mr. Kern’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
Mr. Massart’s trustee attributes include substantial industry experience, including over two decades working with high net worth individuals, families, trusts and retirement accounts to make strategic and tactical asset allocation decisions, evaluate and select investment managers and manage client relationships. He is currently the Partner and Managing Director of Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC. Previously, he served as Chief Investment Strategist and lead member of the investment management committee of the SEC registered investment advisory firm he co-founded. He also previously served as Managing Director of Strong Private Client and as a Manager of Wells Fargo Investments, LLC. The Board believes Mr. Massart’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
Mr. Rush’s trustee attributes include substantial industry experience, including serving in several different senior executive roles at various global financial services firms. He most recently served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and several other affiliated entities, and served as the Treasurer for Baird Funds. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Fidelity Investments’ four broker-dealers and has substantial experience with mutual fund and investment advisory organizations and related businesses, including Vice President and Head of Compliance for Fidelity Investments, a Vice President at Credit Suisse First Boston, a Manager with Goldman Sachs, & Co. and a Senior Manager with Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Rush has been determined to qualify as an Audit Committee Financial Expert for the Trust. The Board believes Mr. Rush’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee and as the Chairman to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
Mr. Swanson’s trustee attributes include substantial industry experience, including over 35 years of senior management and marketing experience with over 30 years dedicated to the financial services industry. He is currently the Founder and Managing Principal of a marketing strategy boutique serving asset and wealth management businesses. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Van Kampen Investments, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd., Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at Morgan Stanley, Director of Marketing for Morgan Stanley Mutual Funds, Director of Marketing
for Kemper Funds, and Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos Investments. The Board believes Mr. Swanson’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that he possesses the requisite skills and attributes as a Trustee to carry out oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
This discussion of the Trustees’ experience and qualifications is pursuant to SEC requirements, does not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having special expertise, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such Trustee or the Board by reason thereof.
Trustee and Management Ownership of Fund Shares
The following table shows the dollar range of High Income Fund shares and shares in all portfolios of the Trust (including the Funds) beneficially owned by the Trustees as of the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.
| | | | | | | | |
| Dollar Range of High Income Fund Shares Beneficially Owned (None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, Over $100,000) | Aggregate Dollar Range of High Income Fund Shares in the Trust |
Independent Trustees |
David A. Massart | None | None |
Leonard M. Rush | None | None |
David M. Swanson | $1-$10,000 | $50,001-$100,000 |
Robert J. Kern | None | None |
As of November 30, 2023, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any fund in the Trust.
As of December 31, 2022, none of the current Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned beneficially any class of security of the Adviser, the Distributor, or any entity (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.
Board Committees
Audit Committee. The Trust has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee reviews financial statements and other audit-related matters for the Funds. The Audit Committee also holds discussions with management and with the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm concerning the scope of the audit and the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee met twice with respect to the Funds during their fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.
Nominating & Governance Committee. The Trust has a Nominating & Governance Committee, which is comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for the position of trustee and meets only as necessary.
The Nominating & Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders for vacancies on the Board. Recommendations for consideration by the Nominating & Governance Committee should be sent to the President of the Trust in writing together with the appropriate
biographical information concerning each such proposed nominee, and such recommendation must comply with the notice provisions set forth in the Trust’s Bylaws. In general, to comply with such procedures, such nominations, together with all required information, must be delivered to and received by the President of the Trust at the principal executive office of the Trust no fewer than 120 days, and no more than 150 days, prior to the shareholder meeting at which any such nominee would be voted on. Shareholder recommendations for nominations to the Board will be accepted on an ongoing basis. The Nominating & Governance Committee’s procedures with respect to reviewing shareholder nominations will be disclosed as required by applicable securities laws. The Nominating & Governance Committee met once during the Funds’ fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.
Trustee Compensation
The Trustees receive an annual retainer of $110,000. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives additional compensation of $14,000, the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives additional compensation of $8,000 and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees receives $12,500 annually. Prior to January 1, 2023, the Trustees received $6,000 for regularly scheduled meetings and $2,500 for additional meetings. Effective January 1, 2023, the Trustees receive $8,000 for regularly scheduled meetings and $2,500 for additional meetings.
The following table sets forth the compensation received by the Trustees for the Funds’ fiscal year ended August 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of Person/Position | Aggregate Compensation from the High Income Fund(1) | Aggregate Compensation from the Short Term Fund(1) | Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses | Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement | Total Compensation from the Funds and the Trust(2) Paid to Trustees |
Leonard M. Rush, Chairman, Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman | $5,356 | $5,356 | None | None | $174,500 |
David A. Massart, Independent Trustee | $4,545 | $4,545 | None | None | $148,000 |
David M. Swanson, Independent Trustee | $4,790 | $4,790 | None | None | $156,000 |
Robert J. Kern, Independent Trustee | $4,545 | $4,545 | None | None | $148,000 |
1 Trustee fees and expenses are allocated among the Funds and any other series comprising the Trust.
2 The Trust includes other series in addition to the Funds.
Control Persons and Principal Shareholders
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Funds. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Funds or acknowledges the existence of control. A controlling person possesses the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted for shareholder vote by the Funds. The following tables list the shareholders considered to be either a control person or a principal shareholder of the Funds or share class indicated as of November 30, 2023:
High Income Fund - Institutional Class
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Address | % Ownership | Parent Company | Jurisdiction | Type of Ownership(1) |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attention Mutual Funds 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | 50.59% | The Charles Schwab Corporation | DE | Record |
National Financial Services, LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers Attentional Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor 499 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995 | 35.40% | Fidelity Global Brokerage Group, Inc. | DE | Record |
RBC Capital Markets LLC Mutual Fund Omnibus Processing Omnibus Attn Mutual Fund Ops Manager 250 Nicollet Mall Suite 1200 Ste 1800 Minneapolis, MN 55401-7554 | 6.20% | N/A | N/A | Record |
High Income Fund - Investor Class
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Address | % Ownership | Parent Company | Jurisdiction | Type of Ownership(1) |
| | | | |
Stifel Nicolaus & Company Inc. 501 North Broadway Saint Louis, Missouri 63102-2137 | 77.71% | N/A | N/A | Record |
Oppenheimer & Co Inc. FBO Theodore J. Slavin TTEE of the Theodore J. Slavin Trust No. 1 10560 Wilshire Blve PH B Los Angeles, CA 90024-7315 | 7.64% | N/A | N/A | Record |
High Income Fund - A Class
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Address | % Ownership | Parent Company | Jurisdiction | Type of Ownership(1) |
| | | | |
RBC Capital Markets LLC Mutual Fund Omnibus Processing Attn: Mutual Fund Ops Manager 250 Nicollet Mall Ste 1200 Ste 1800 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-7554 | 74.58% | N/A | N/A | Record |
Stifel Nicolaus & Company Inc. 501 North Broadway Saint Louis, Missouri 63102-2137 | 25.30% | N/A | N/A | Record |
(1) “Record” ownership means the shareholder of record, or the exact name of the shareholder on the account, i.e., “ABC Brokerage, Inc.” “Beneficial” ownership refers to the actual pecuniary, or financial, interest in the security, i.e., “Jane Doe Shareholder.”
Short Term Fund - Institutional Class
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Address | % Ownership | Parent Company | Jurisdiction | Type of Ownership(1) |
National Financial Services, LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers Attentional Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor 499 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995 | 51.77% | Fidelity Global Brokerage Group, Inc. | DE | Record |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attention Mutual Funds 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | 45.81% | The Charles Schwab Corporation | DE | Record |
Short Term Fund - Investor Class
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Address | % Ownership | Parent Company | Jurisdiction | Type of Ownership(1) |
| | | | |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attention Mutual Funds 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | 99.57% | The Charles Schwab Corporation | DE | Record |
(1) “Record” ownership means the shareholder of record, or the exact name of the shareholder on the account, i.e., “ABC Brokerage, Inc.” “Beneficial” ownership refers to the actual pecuniary, or financial, interest in the security, i.e., “Jane Doe Shareholder.”
Investment Adviser
The Adviser, Principal Street Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, provides investment advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is majority owned by Darrell Horn.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides the Funds with investment research and advice and furnishes the Funds with an investment program consistent with the Funds’ investment objective and policies, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Adviser determines which portfolio securities will be purchased or sold, arranges for the placing of orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to place those orders, maintains books and records with respect to the securities transactions and reports to the Board on the Funds’ investments and performance. The Adviser is solely responsible for making investment decisions on behalf of the Funds. The Board will have sole responsibility for selecting, evaluating the performance of, and replacing as necessary any of the service providers to the Funds, including the Adviser.
The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (i) the Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds; and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, when authorized by either: (i) a majority vote of the Funds’ shareholders; or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Board or by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment,” as defined under the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser under such agreement 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 the execution of portfolio transactions for the Funds, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.
In consideration of the services provided by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive from the Funds a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, based on a percentage of a Fund’s net assets, as specified in the Prospectus. However, the Adviser may voluntarily agree to reduce the management fees payable to it on a month-to-month basis, including additional fees above and beyond any contractual agreement the Adviser may have to reduce management fees and/or reimburse Fund expenses.
Fund Expenses. Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. Pursuant to an Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Adviser has agreed to waive its management fees and pay Fund expenses, as specified in the Prospectus. Fees waived and expenses paid by the Adviser may be recouped by the Adviser for a period of 36 months following the month during which such waiver and/or expense payment was made, if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time the fee waiver and expense payment occurred and the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment. The Operating Expense Limitation Agreement is indefinite in term and cannot be terminated through at least one year from the effective date of the Funds’ Prospectus. Thereafter, the agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days' written notice by the Trust's Board or the Adviser.
The total advisory fees paid by the Funds during the fiscal periods ended August 31 were as follows:
High Income Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Advisory Fees Paid During the Fiscal Year Ended | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Advisory Fees Accrued | $1,519,505 | $1,651,481 | $1,267,543 |
Advisory Fees (Waived) | $(118,256) | $(89,955) | $(102,942) |
Advisory Fee Recouped | $1,993 | $0 | $0 |
Total Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser | $1,403,242 | $1,561,526 | $1,164,601 |
Short Term Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Advisory Fees Paid During the Fiscal Year Ended | 2023 | 2022* | 2021* |
Advisory Fees Accrued | $230,317 | $15,566 | N/A |
Advisory Fees Recouped/(Waived) | $(198,611) | $(15,566) | N/A |
Total Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser | $31,706 | $0 | N/A |
*The Short Term Fund commenced operations on April 27, 2022.
Portfolio Managers
As disclosed in the Prospectus, Troy E. Willis, J.D., CFA, and Charlie S. Pulire, CFA, serve as portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund (each a “Portfolio Manager,” and together, the “Portfolio Managers”).
The following table provides information regarding other accounts, excluding the Funds, managed by the Portfolio Managers as of August 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts |
| Number of Accounts | Total Assets in the Accounts (in millions) | Number of Accounts | Total Assets in the Accounts (in millions) | Number of Accounts | Total Assets in the Accounts (in millions) |
Troy E. Willis | 0 | $0 | 2 | $40 | 39 | $130 |
Charlie S. Pulire | 0 | $0 | 2 | $40 | 39 | $130 |
As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers did not manage any accounts pursuant to a performance-based advisory fee.
The Portfolio Managers’ management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with the management of the Funds’ investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. Potential conflicts may arise in connection with the Portfolio Managers’ management of the Funds and the management of any other accounts in areas such as the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades. The Adviser has developed and implemented policies and procedures that are designed to ensure that the interests of all Adviser clients are protected. Policies that are a part of the Adviser’s compliance program address areas such as trade allocations, cross trading, insider trading and trade management. Ongoing and annual reviews are conducted to ensure compliance with the policies and procedures.
The Portfolio Managers are compensated through a base salary plus a bonus based on the overall profitability of the strategies managed by the Portfolio Managers and the firm as a whole. The base salary received by each Portfolio Manager is intended to be a market competitive salary. The Portfolio Managers are also equity owners of the Adviser and shares in any profits of the Adviser.
The following table indicates the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each Portfolio Manager as of August 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Shares Beneficially Owned (None, $1-$10,000; $10,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000; $100,001 - $500,000; $500,001-$1,000,000; Over $1,000,000) |
| High Income Fund | Short Term Fund |
Troy E. Willis | Over $1,000,000 | None |
Charlie S. Pulire | None | None |
Service Providers
Pursuant to an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) between the Trust and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202, acts as the Administrator to the Funds. Fund Services provides certain administrative services to the Funds, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of, the Funds’ independent contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for compliance by the Trust and the Funds with applicable laws and regulations; arranging for the computation of performance data,
including NAV per share and yield; responding to shareholder inquiries; and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Funds, and providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to carry out its duties. In this capacity, Fund Services does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Funds, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, for its services, Fund Services receives from the Funds a fee computed daily and payable monthly based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to an annual minimum fee. Fund Services also acts as Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent and dividend disbursing agent under separate agreements with the Trust.
Each Fund paid fund administration and fund accounting fees to Fund Services during the fiscal periods ended August 31, as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
High Income Fund | $340,407 | $332,372 | $245,663 |
Short Term Fund | $149,810 | $52,231 | N/A* |
*The Short Term Fund commenced operations on April 27, 2022.
Pursuant to a custody agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bank N.A. (“U.S. Bank”), an affiliate of Fund Services, U.S. Bank serves as the custodian of the Funds’ assets (the “Custodian”). For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based on a percentage of a Fund's assets, in addition to certain transaction based fees, and is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. The Custodian’s address is 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. The Custodian does not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Funds. U.S. Bank and its affiliates may participate in revenue sharing arrangements with service providers of mutual funds in which a Fund may invest.
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as counsel to the Trust and as independent legal counsel to the Board.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen & Company, Ltd., 342 North Water Street, Suite 830, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. Its services include auditing the Funds’ financial statements and the performance of related tax services.
Distribution of Fund Shares
The Trust has entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, pursuant to which the Distributor acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter, provides certain administrative services and promotes and arranges for the sale of a Fund’s shares on a best efforts basis. The offering of a Fund’s shares is continuous. The Distributor, Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Custodian are affiliated companies. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
The Distribution Agreement will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, on 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of a Fund’s shareholders or by vote of a majority of the Board, including a
majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment,” as defined in the 1940 Act.
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan
The High Income Fund has adopted a distribution plan for Investor Class shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “12b-1 Plan”). Under the 12b-1 Plan, the High Income Fund pays a fee to the Distributor for distribution and/or shareholder services (the “Distribution and Servicing Fee”) at an annual rate of 0.50% of the High Income Fund’s average daily NAV of Investor Class shares. The 12b-1 Plan provides that the Distributor may use all or any portion of the High Income Fund’s Distribution and Servicing Fee to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Fund’s shares, subject to the terms of the 12b-1 Plan, or to provide certain shareholder services. The 12b-1 Plan is intended to benefit the High Income Fund by increasing its assets and thereby reducing the High Income Fund’s expense ratio.
The Investor Class of the High Income Fund paid $135,251 in 12b-1 fees during the period ended August 31, 2023.
| | | | | |
| Investor Class |
Advertising/Marketing | $0 |
Printing/Postage | $0 |
Payment to distributor | $0 |
Payment to dealers | $135,251 |
Compensation to sales personnel | $0 |
Other | $0 |
Total | $135,251 |
The Short Term Fund has adopted a distribution plan for Investor Class shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “12b-1 Plan”). Under the 12b-1 Plan, the Short Term Fund pays a fee to the Distributor for distribution and/or shareholder services (the “Distribution and Servicing Fee”) at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily NAV of Investor Class shares. The 12b-1 Plan provides that the Distributor may use all or any portion of the Short Term Fund’s Distribution and Servicing Fee to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of the Short Term Fund’s shares, subject to the terms of the 12b-1 Plan, or to provide certain shareholder services. The 12b-1 Plan is intended to benefit the Short Term Fund by increasing its assets and thereby reducing the Short Term Fund’s expense ratio.
The Investor Class of the Short Term Fund carried over $123 in 12b-1 fees during the period ended August 31, 2023.
| | | | | |
| Investor Class |
Advertising/Marketing | $0 |
Printing/Postage | $0 |
Payment to distributor | $0 |
Payment to dealers | $123 |
Compensation to sales personnel | $0 |
Other | $0 |
Total | $123 |
The Distribution and Servicing Fee is payable to the Distributor regardless of the distribution-related expenses actually incurred. Because the Distribution and Servicing Fee is not directly tied to expenses, the amount of distribution fees paid by Investor Class shares during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as a “compensation” plan.
The Distributor may use the Distribution and Servicing Fee to pay for services covered by the 12b-1 Plan including, but not limited to, advertising; compensating underwriters, dealers and selling personnel engaged in the distribution of Fund shares; the printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, and reports; the printing and mailing of sales literature pertaining to the Funds; and obtaining whatever information, analyses, and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities that the Funds may, from time to time, deem advisable.
The 12b-1 Plan provides that it will continue from year to year upon approval by the majority vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, provided that such trustees have made a determination that there is a reasonable likelihood that the 12b-1 Plan will benefit a Fund and its shareholders. It is also required that the Independent Trustees, select and nominate all other trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund. The 12b-1 Plan and any related agreements may not be amended to materially increase the amounts to be spent for distribution expenses without approval of shareholders holding a majority of a Fund’s shares outstanding. All material amendments to the 12b-1 Plan or any related agreements must be approved by a vote of a majority of the Board and the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.
The 12b-1 Plan requires that the Distributor provide to the Board, at least quarterly, a written report on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the 12b-1 Plan. The Distributor is also required to furnish the Board with such other information as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of whether the 12b-1 Plan should be continued.
As noted above, the 12b-1 Plan provides for the ability to use Fund assets to pay financial intermediaries (including those that sponsor mutual fund supermarkets (as discussed below) and affiliates of the Adviser), plan administrators, and other service providers to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Fund shares (distribution services) and for the provision of personal services to shareholders. The payments made by a Fund to financial intermediaries are based primarily on the dollar amount of assets invested in a Fund through the financial intermediaries. These financial intermediaries may pay a portion of the payments that they receive from a Fund to their investment professionals. In addition to the ongoing asset-based fees paid to these financial intermediaries under the 12b-1 Plan, a Fund may, from time to time, make payments under the 12b-1 Plan that help defray the expenses incurred by these intermediaries for conducting training and educational meetings about various aspects of a Fund for their employees. In addition, a Fund may
make payments under the 12b-1 Plan for exhibition space and otherwise help defray the expenses these financial intermediaries incur in hosting client seminars where a Fund is discussed.
In addition, a Fund may participate in various “mutual fund supermarkets” in which a mutual fund supermarket sponsor (usually a broker-dealer) offers many mutual funds to the sponsor’s customers without charging the customers a sales charge. In connection with its participation in such platforms, the Distributor may use all or a portion of the Distribution and Servicing Fee to pay one or more supermarket sponsors a negotiated fee for distributing a Fund’s shares. In addition, in its discretion, the Adviser may pay additional fees to such intermediaries from its own assets.
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by a Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute a Fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities on an exchange are effected through brokers that charge a commission while purchases and sales of securities in the OTC market will generally be executed directly with the primary “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Adviser, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are fixed income securities (for instance, money market instruments and bonds, notes and bills) usually are principal transactions. In a principal transaction, the party from whom a Fund purchases or to whom a Fund sells is acting on its own behalf (and not as the agent of some other party, such as its customers). These securities normally are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. The price of securities purchased from underwriters includes a disclosed fixed commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and prices of securities purchased from dealers serving as market makers reflects the spread between the bid and asked price. The price of OTC securities usually includes an undisclosed commission or markup.
Purchases of portfolio securities for a Fund will be effected through broker-dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities that a Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers usually act as principal for their own accounts. Purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer that has provided research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities, and other factors available, will be considered in making these determinations. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers that furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Adviser that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other brokerage services incidental to execution services. Research and statistical information may include reports that are common in the industry such as industry research reports and periodicals, quotation systems, software for portfolio management and formal databases. Typically, the research will be used to service all of the Adviser’s accounts, although a particular client may not benefit from all the research received on each occasion. The Adviser considers research information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement with the Funds, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.
While it is each Fund’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to a Fund or to the Adviser, even if the specific services are not directly useful to a Fund and may be useful to the Adviser in advising other clients. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, a Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Adviser to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to a Fund.
Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those of the Adviser’s other client accounts. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for both the Funds and one or more of such client accounts. In such event, the position of a Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as a Fund at the same time, a Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, a Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that a Fund is purchasing or selling, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between a Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as a Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of a Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for a Fund. Notwithstanding the above, the Adviser may execute buy and sell orders for accounts and take action in performance of its duties with respect to any of its accounts that may differ from actions taken with respect to another account, so long as the Adviser shall, to the extent practical, allocate investment opportunities to accounts, including the Funds, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with applicable law.
Portfolio transactions may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Funds subject to rules adopted by FINRA and the SEC. Portfolio transactions may also be placed with broker-dealers in which the Adviser has invested on behalf of the Funds and/or client accounts.
The following table sets forth the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds during the fiscal periods ended August 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
High Income Fund | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Short Term Fund | $0 | $0 | N/A* |
*The Short Term Fund commenced operations on April 27, 2022.
Portfolio Turnover
Although the Funds generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the
securities in a Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs and could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income rates (currently as high as 37%). To the extent that a Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance of a Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by a Fund and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions. The following table shows each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended August 31:
| | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | 2022* |
High Income Fund | 21% | 53% |
Short Term Fund* | 75% | 24% |
*The Short Term Fund commenced operations on April 27, 2022.
Code of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Trust, Adviser, and Distributor to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.
Proxy Voting Procedures
The Board has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (“Proxy Policies”) wherein the Trust has delegated to the Adviser the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by each Fund as part of the Adviser’s investment advisory services, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board. Notwithstanding this delegation of responsibilities, however, each Fund retains the right to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities. The fundamental purpose of the Proxy Policies is to ensure that each vote will be in a manner that reflects the best interest of a Fund and its shareholders, taking into account the value of a Fund’s investments. The Adviser has adopted proxy voting guidelines to determine how to vote Fund proxies. The Adviser utilizes Broadridge to vote proxies. The Adviser has a proxy voting committee which meets when a vote does not fall within the guidelines. The Adviser tests its proxy voting quarterly to ensure that proxy voting guidelines are being followed.
The actual voting records relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free, (800) SEC-0330 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. Ms. Deborah Ward has been designated as the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to: determining that the Distributor and the Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures; reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity; checking shareholder names against designated government
lists, including Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”), and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Funds will not transact business with any person or legal entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, the Funds may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Funds may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
Portfolio Holdings Information
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has adopted portfolio holdings disclosure policies (“Portfolio Holdings Policies”) that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure of portfolio holdings of the Funds. Information about a Fund’s portfolio holdings will not be distributed to any third party except in accordance with these Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board has considered the circumstances under which a Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed under the Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board has also considered actual and potential material conflicts that could arise in such circumstances between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, Distributor, or any other affiliated person of a Fund. After due consideration, the Board has determined that a Fund has a legitimate business purpose for disclosing portfolio holdings to persons described in the Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board also authorized its CCO to consider and authorize dissemination of portfolio holdings information to additional parties, after considering the best interests of a Fund’s shareholders and potential conflicts of interest in making such disclosures.
The Board exercises continuing oversight of the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Portfolio Holdings Policies, codes of ethics and other relevant policies of a Fund and its service providers by the CCO, (2) by considering reports and recommendations by the CCO concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act), and (3) by considering whether to approve any amendment to these Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board reserves the right to amend the Portfolio Holdings Policies at any time without prior notice in its sole discretion.
Disclosure of each Fund’s complete holdings is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, in the annual and semi-annual reports to Fund shareholders, and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-PORT. These reports will be made available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. A Fund may provide separately to any person, including rating and ranking organizations such as Lipper and Morningstar, a Fund’s holdings commencing the day after the information is first published on the Funds’ website. In addition, a Fund may provide its complete portfolio holdings at the same time that it is filed with the SEC. Each Fund also discloses its top ten portfolio holdings and sector allocation on the Funds’ website at https://principalstreetfunds.com/ within approximately 15 calendar days after each month end. Each Fund’s holdings will remain posted on the website until next updated with the following month’s holdings.
In the event of a conflict between the interests of a Fund and its shareholders and the interests of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser, the CCO of the Adviser, in consultation with the Trust’s CCO, shall make a determination in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders, and shall report such determination to the Board at the end of the quarter in which such determination was made. Any employee of the Adviser who suspects a breach of this obligation must report the matter immediately to the Adviser’s CCO or to his or her supervisor.
In addition, material non-public holdings information may be provided without lag as part of the normal investment activities of a Fund to each of the following entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to a Fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed: the Administrator; the Fund Accountant; the Custodian; the Transfer Agent; the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm; counsel to the Funds or the Board (current parties are identified in this SAI); broker-dealers (in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities); and regulatory authorities. Portfolio holdings information not publicly available with the SEC or on the Funds’ website may only be provided to additional third parties, in accordance with the Portfolio Holdings Policies, when a Fund has a legitimate business purpose, and the third party recipient is subject to a confidentiality agreement. Such portfolio holdings disclosure must be approved under the Portfolio Holdings Policies by the Trust’s CCO.
In no event shall the Adviser, its affiliates or employees, or the Funds receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about a Fund’s portfolio holdings.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Holdings Policies and these procedures will protect the Funds from potential misuse of Fund information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.
Determination of Net Asset Value
The NAV of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and is determined by the Fund Accountant as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) each business day. The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. The most recent announcement indicates that it will not be open on the following days: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, the NYSE may close on days not included in that announcement.
The NAV of each class of shares is computed by determining the “Net Assets” of each class and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding of each class at such time. The Net Assets of each class are calculated by (1) taking the value of all assets, less liabilities, held by a Fund and allocating such value to each share class based on the number of shares outstanding in each share class; (2) subtracting “Class Expenses” from each respective share class as defined and approved by the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees under the Trust’s Rule 18f-3 Multiple-Class Plan; and (3) subtracting from each share class non-class specific “Other Expenses” that are allocated to each class based on the NAV of each class relative to the NAV of a Fund or the Trust, as the case may be.
| | | | | | | | |
Net Assets Per Share Class | = | NAV Per Share Class |
Shares Outstanding Per Share Class |
Each Fund’s assets are generally valued at their market price on the valuation date and are based on valuations provided by independent pricing services consistent with the Trust’s valuation policies. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser has been designated by the Board as the valuation designee for the Funds and has been delegated responsibility for making good faith, fair value determinations with respect to each Fund’s portfolio securities. When market prices are not readily available or believed by the Adviser to be unreliable, a security or other asset is valued at its fair value by the Adviser as determined under fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board. The Board reviews, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of the Fund’s policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. These fair value pricing procedures will also be used to price a security when corporate events, events in the securities market and/or world
events cause the Adviser to believe that a security’s last sale price may not reflect its actual market value. The intended effect of using fair value pricing procedures is to ensure that the Fund is accurately priced. The Board will regularly evaluate whether the Trust’s fair value pricing procedures continue to be appropriate in light of the specific circumstances of the Fund and the quality of prices obtained through the application of such procedures.
Debt securities, including short-term debt instruments having a maturity of 60 days or less, are valued at the evaluated mean between the closing bid and asked prices provided by a pricing service (“Pricing Service”). If the closing bid and asked prices are not readily available, fair value will be determined.
Each security owned by a Fund that is listed on a securities exchange is valued at its last sale price on that exchange on the date as of which assets are valued. Where the security is listed on more than one exchange, a Fund will use the price of the exchange that a Fund generally considers to be the principal exchange on which the security is traded. If no sale is reported, the security is valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked price.
Portfolio securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”), which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. OTC securities that are not traded on NASDAQ shall be valued at the most recent trade price.
Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares
Shares of a Fund are sold in a continuous offering and shares may be purchased or redeemed on any business day that a Fund calculates its NAV. Each Fund may also authorize one or more financial intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf (“Authorized Intermediaries”). Authorized Intermediaries are authorized to designate other Authorized Intermediaries to accept orders on a Fund’s behalf. An order is deemed to be received when a Fund or an Authorized Intermediary accepts the order.
Orders received by a Fund or an Authorized Intermediary by the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a business day will be effected at the applicable price per share determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be processed based on the next determined NAV.
Orders received by financial intermediaries that are not Authorized Intermediaries will be processed at the applicable price next calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the order from the financial intermediary.
Purchase Requests Must be Received in Good Order
“Good order” means that your purchase request includes:
•The name of the Fund;
•The class of shares to be purchased
•The dollar amount of shares to be purchased;
•Your account application or investment stub; and
•A check or wire transfer payable to the name of the Fund.
Shares of the Funds have not been registered for sale outside of the United States. The Funds generally do not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, even if they are United
States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO addresses or in certain other circumstances where the CCO and Anti-Money Laundering Officer for the Trust conclude that such sale is appropriate and is not in contravention of United States law.
Redemption Requests Must be Received in Good Order
Your share price will be based on the next NAV per share calculated after the Transfer Agent or an Authorized Intermediary receives your redemption request in good order. A redemption request will be deemed in “good order” if it includes:
•The shareholder’s name;
•The name of the Fund;
•The class of shares to be redeemed;
•The account number;
•The share or dollar amount to be redeemed; and
•Signatures by all shareholders on the account (with signature(s) guaranteed, if applicable).
Unless you instruct the Transfer Agent otherwise, redemption proceeds will be sent to the address of record. The Funds will not be responsible for interest lost on redemption amounts due to lost or misdirected mail.
A signature guarantee of each owner is required in the following situations:
•If ownership is changed on your account;
•When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
•When a redemption is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has changed within the last 15 calendar days; or
•For all redemptions in excess of $100,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial transactions, including establishing or modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source. Signature guarantees, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, can be obtained from banks and securities dealers, but not from a notary public.
Each Fund may elect in the future to limit eligible signature guarantors to institutions that are members of a signature guarantee program. The Funds and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to amend these standards at any time without notice.
Redemption-in-Kind
Under normal circumstances, a Fund does not intend to redeem shares in any form except cash. The Trust, however, has filed a notice of election under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act that allows a Fund to redeem in-kind redemption requests during any 90-day period in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of a Fund, valued at the beginning of such period. If a Fund pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash, and will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash.
Cancellations and Modifications
A Fund will not accept a request to cancel or modify a written transaction once processing has begun.
Tax Matters
The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and its shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable U.S. federal income tax laws of the United States 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. federal income, estate or gift, or state, local or foreign tax concerns affecting a Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in a Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in a Fund.
Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund, a series of the Trust, intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code, provided it complies with all applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets and timing of distributions, as discussed below.
If for any taxable year a Fund fails to qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded to RICs, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate (without any deduction for distributions to a Fund’s shareholders) and its income available for distribution will be reduced.
As long as a Fund meets certain requirements that govern a Fund’s source of income, diversification of assets and distribution of earnings to its shareholders, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income distributed (or treated as distributed, as described below) to its shareholders. With respect to the source of income requirement, a Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and 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 interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTP”). A QPTP is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704 of the Code, but does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above.
With respect to the diversification of assets requirement, a Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited for purposes of such calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of a Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs), the securities (other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more issuers that a Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more QPTPs.
In addition, pursuant to the Code, a Fund may invest no more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of MLPs and other entities treated as QPTPs. A Fund will not be required to reduce a position due solely to market value fluctuations in order to comply with the 25% limitation in publicly traded partnerships, inclusive of MLP investments, but will not be able to purchase additional MLP securities unless a Fund is in compliance with the restriction.
Each Fund’s policy is to distribute to its shareholders all of its net investment company taxable income and any net realized long‑term capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution requirements of the Code, so that a Fund will not be subject to any federal income or excise taxes based on net income. However, a Fund can give no assurances that its anticipated distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.
Additionally, if a Fund does not qualify as a RIC, it would be taxed as a corporation and, in such case, it would be more beneficial for a shareholder to directly own a Fund’s underlying investments rather than indirectly owning the underlying investments through a Fund. If a Fund fails to distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98.2% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which a Fund paid no federal income tax, a Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax.
Each Fund intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year at least 50% of a Fund’s total assets consists of municipal securities, which are exempt from federal income tax. Distributions from a Fund will constitute exempt-interest dividends to the extent of a Fund’s tax-exempt interest income (net of allocable expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders of a Fund are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) in certain circumstances and may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below.
Net investment income generally consists of interest, dividends, and short-term capital gains, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of a Fund.
Distributions of net investment income may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. For individual shareholders, a portion of the distributions paid by a Fund may consist of qualified dividends eligible for taxation at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains to the extent a Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualified dividend and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to his or her Fund shares. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to the extent that a Fund designates the amount distributed as eligible for deduction and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to its Fund shares. The aggregate amount so designated to either individuals or corporate shareholders cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount of such dividends received by a Fund for its taxable year. In view of a Fund’s investment policies, it is expected that part of the distributions by a Fund may be eligible for the qualified dividend income treatment for individual shareholders and the dividends‑received deduction for corporate shareholders. Any distributions to you in excess of a Fund’s investment company taxable income and net capital gains will be treated by you, first, as a tax-deferred return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains.
Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares have been held. Net capital gains distributions are not eligible
for the qualified dividend income treatment or the dividends‑received deduction referred to in the previous paragraph.
Any distributions to you in excess of a Fund’s investment company taxable income and net capital gains will be treated by you, first, as a tax-deferred return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains to you.
Any gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of a tax-exempt security generally is treated as either long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon its holding period, and is fully taxable. However, gain recognized from the sale or other disposition of a tax-exempt security purchased after April 30, 1993, will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount on such security. Distributions by a Fund of ordinary income and capital gains will be taxable to shareholders.
AMT is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular tax and is computed at a maximum rate of 28% for non-corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income (“AMTI”) over an exemption amount. Exempt-interest dividends derived from certain “private activity” municipal securities issued after Aug. 7, 1986 generally will constitute an item of tax preference includable in AMTI for non-corporate taxpayers. However, tax-exempt interest on private activity bonds issued in 2009 and 2010 is not an item of tax preference for purposes of the AMT.
Exempt-interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion, if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included in an individual shareholder’s gross income subject to federal income tax. Further, a shareholder of a Fund is denied a deduction for interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of a Fund. Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a “substantial user” of a facility financed by industrial development bonds held by a Fund will likely be subject to tax on dividends paid by a Fund which are derived from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in other collateral federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies and foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States.
To the extent that exempt-interest dividends are derived from interest on obligations of a state or its political subdivisions, or from interest on qualifying US territorial obligations (including qualifying obligations of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), they also may be exempt from that state’s personal income taxes. Most states do not grant tax-free treatment to interest on state and municipal securities of other states.
Failure of the issuer of a tax-exempt security to comply with certain legal or contractual requirements relating to a municipal security could cause interest on the municipal security, as well as Fund distributions derived from this interest, to become taxable, perhaps retroactively to the date the municipal security was issued. In such a case, a Fund may be required to report to the IRS and send to shareholders amended Forms 1099 for a prior taxable year in order to report additional taxable income. This, in turn, could require shareholders to file amended federal and state income tax returns for such prior year to report and pay tax and interest on their pro rata share of the additional amount of taxable income.
Distributions of any net investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders who choose to receive distributions in the
form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the NAV of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a noncorporate shareholder’s liability for the alternative minimum tax.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains received on those shares. Any loss realized upon a redemption may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent Fund shares are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption.
Each Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B the cost basis of shares purchased or acquired. However, cost basis reporting is not required for certain shareholders, including shareholders investing in a Fund through a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Each Fund will calculate cost basis using a Fund’s default method, unless you instruct a Fund to use a different calculation method. For additional information regarding a Fund’s available cost basis reporting methods, including its default method, please contact the Fund. If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Except in the case of certain exempt shareholders, if a shareholder does not furnish a Fund with its correct Taxpayer Identification Number and certain certifications or a Fund receives notification from the IRS requiring back-up withholding, a Fund is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax from the shareholder’s distributions and redemption proceeds currently at a rate of 24% for U.S. residents.
Gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
If a Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more “tax credit bonds” (including build America bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, a Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholder’s proportionate share of tax credits from the applicable bonds that otherwise would be allowed to a Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to their proportionate share of those offsetting tax credits. A shareholder’s ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code. Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the build America bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and certain other qualified bonds may no longer be issued after December 31, 2017. Even if a Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.
Income earned on certain U.S. government obligations is exempt from state and local personal income taxes if earned directly by you. States also grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by a Fund. Income on investments by a Fund in certain other obligations, such as repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government obligations, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae obligations), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the fund held the debt obligation unless the fund made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or payment-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a fund’s investment in such securities may cause the fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.
Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
While securities are loaned out by a fund, the fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made "in lieu of" dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations.
Foreign taxpayers (including nonresident aliens) are generally subject to a flat withholding rate, currently 30% on U.S. source income. This withholding rate may be lower under the terms of a tax convention.
This discussion and the related discussion in the Prospectus have been prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Funds has expressed no opinion in respect thereof.
This section is not intended to be a full discussion of federal tax laws and the effect of such laws on you. There may be other federal, state, foreign or local tax considerations to a particular investor. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor.
Distributions
Each Fund will receive income in the form of dividends and interest earned on its investments in securities. This income, less the expenses incurred in its operations, is a Fund’s net investment income, substantially all of which will be distributed to a Fund’s shareholders.
The amount of a Fund’s distribution is dependent upon the amount of net investment income received by a Fund from its portfolio holdings, is not guaranteed, and is subject to the discretion of the Board. Each Fund does not pay “interest” or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its shares.
Each Fund may also derive capital gains or losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Any net gain a Fund may realize from transactions involving investments held less than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing short-term capital gains and losses (to the extent not offset by any capital loss carryovers), although a distribution from capital gains, will be distributed to shareholders with and as a part of the distributions of net investment income giving rise to ordinary income. If during any year a Fund realizes a net gain on transactions involving investments held for the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing long-term capital gains and losses, a Fund will have a net long-term capital gain. After deduction of the amount of any net short-term capital loss, the balance (to the extent not offset by any capital losses carried over from the eight previous taxable years) will be distributed and treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time a Fund’s shares may have been held by the shareholders. For more information concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, see your tax advisor.
Any distribution paid by a Fund reduces the Fund’s NAV per share on the date paid by the amount of the distribution per share. Accordingly, a distribution paid shortly after a purchase of shares by a shareholder would represent, in substance, a partial return of capital (to the extent it is paid on the shares so purchased), even though it would be subject to income taxes.
Distributions will be made in the form of additional shares of a Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of distributions by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. However, any such change will be effective only as to distributions for which the record date is five or more calendar days after the Transfer Agent has received the request.
Financial Statements
Each Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 is a separate document and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of the independent registered public accounting firm appearing therein are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
MANAGED PORTFOLIO SERIES (the “Trust”)
PART C
Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | (1) | | |
| (2) | | |
(b) | | | |
(c) | | | |
(d) | (1) | | |
| | (i) | |
| | (ii) | |
(e) | (1) | | |
| | (i) | |
| (2) | | |
| (3) | | |
| (3) | | |
(f) | | | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – not applicable. |
(g) | (1) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (i) | |
| | (ii) | |
(h) | (1) | | |
| | (i) | |
| | (ii) | |
| (2) | | |
| | (i) | |
| | (ii) | |
| (3) | | |
| | (i) | |
| | (ii) | |
| (4) | (i) | |
(i) | (1) | | |
| (2) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(j) | (1) | | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm by Cohen & Company, Ltd. for the Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund and Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund – filed herewith. |
| (2) | | |
(k) | | | Omitted Financial Statements – not applicable. |
(l) | | | |
(m) | | (1) | |
| | (2) | Shareholder Serving Plan – not applicable. |
(n) | | | |
(o) | | | Reserved. |
(p) | (1) | | |
| (2) | | |
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
Item 30. Indemnification
Reference is made to Article VII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. With respect to the Registrant, the general effect of these provisions is to indemnify any person (Trustee, officer, employee or agent, among others) who was or is a party to any proceeding by reason of their actions performed in their official or duly authorized capacity on behalf of the Trust.
Pursuant to Rule 484 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) the Registrant furnishes the following undertaking: “Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the 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 that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.”
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
With respect to the Adviser, the response to this Item will be incorporated by reference to the Adviser’s Uniform Applications for Investment Adviser Registration (“Form ADV”) on file with the SEC. The Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter.
(a)Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
1.Advisor Managed Portfolios
2.Capital Advisors Growth Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
3.Chase Growth Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
4.Davidson Multi Cap Equity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
5.Edgar Lomax Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
6.First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
7.First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
8.Fort Pitt Capital Total Return Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
9.Huber Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
10.Huber Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
11.Huber Select Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
12.Huber Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
13.Logan Capital Broad Innovative Growth ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
14.Medalist Partners MBS Total Return Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
15.Medalist Partners Short Duration Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
16.O'Shaughnessy Market Leaders Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
17.PIA BBB Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
18.PIA High Yield (MACS) Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
19.PIA High Yield Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
20.PIA MBS Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
21.PIA Short-Term Securities Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
22.Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
23.Poplar Forest Partners Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
24.Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
25.Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
26.Pzena International Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
27.Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
28.Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
29.Reverb ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
30.Scharf Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
31.Scharf Global Opportunity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
32.Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
33.Shenkman Capital Floating Rate High Income Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
34.Shenkman Capital Short Duration High Income Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
35.VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
36.The Aegis Funds
37.Allied Asset Advisors Funds
38.Angel Oak Funds Trust
39.Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund
40.Barrett Opportunity Fund, Inc.
41.Brookfield Infrastructure Income Fund, Inc.
42.Brookfield Investment Funds
43.Buffalo Funds
44.DoubleLine Funds Trust
45.EA Series Trust (f/k/a Alpha Architect ETF Trust)
46.Ecofin Tax-Advantaged Social Impact Fund, Inc.
47.AAM Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
48.AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
49.AAM S&P 500 Emerging Markets High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
50.AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
51.AAM S&P Developed Markets High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
52.AAM Transformers ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
53.AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
54.Aptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
55.Aptus Defined Risk ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
56.Aptus Drawdown Managed Equity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
57.Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
58.Aptus Large Cap Enhanced Yield ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
59.Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
60.Blue Horizon BNE ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
61.BTD Capital Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions
62.Carbon Strategy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
63.Cboe Vest 10 Year Interest Rate Hedge ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
64.ClearShares OCIO ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
65.ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions
66.ClearShares Ultra-Short Maturity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
67.Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
68.Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
69.Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
70.ETFB Green SRI REITs ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
71.Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
72.Hoya Capital Housing ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
73.iBET Sports Betting & Gaming ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
74.International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
75.LHA Market State Alpha Seeker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
76.LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
77.LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
78.LHA Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
79.Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
80.Loncar China BioPharma ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
81.McElhenny Sheffield Managed Risk ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
82.Nationwide Dow Jones® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
83.Nationwide Nasdaq-100 Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
84.Nationwide Russell 2000® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
85.Nationwide S&P 500® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
86.NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
87.Opus Small Cap Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
88.Roundhill Acquirers Deep Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
89.The Acquirers Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions
90.U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
91.U.S. Global JETS ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
92.U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
93.US Vegan Climate ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
94.First American Funds, Inc.
95.FundX Investment Trust
96.The Glenmede Fund, Inc.
97.The Glenmede Portfolios
98.The GoodHaven Funds Trust
99.Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.
100.Hennessy Funds Trust
101.Horizon Funds
102.Hotchkis & Wiley Funds
103.Intrepid Capital Management Funds Trust
104.Jacob Funds Inc.
105.The Jensen Quality Growth Fund Inc.
106.Kirr, Marbach Partners Funds, Inc.
107.Leuthold Funds, Inc.
108.Core Alternative ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
109.Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
110.Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
111.LKCM Funds
112.LoCorr Investment Trust
113.MainGate Trust
114.ATAC Rotation Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
115.Coho Relative Value Equity Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
116.Coho Relative Value ESG Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
117.Cove Street Capital Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
118.Ecofin Global Energy Transition Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
119.Ecofin Global Renewables Infrastructure Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
120.Ecofin Global Water ESG Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
121.Ecofin Sustainable Water Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
122.Jackson Square Large-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
123.Jackson Square SMID-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
124.Kensington Active Advantage Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
125.Kensington Defender Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
126.Kensington Dynamic Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
127.Kensington Managed Income Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
128.LK Balanced Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
129.Muhlenkamp Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
130.Nuance Concentrated Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
131.Nuance Concentrated Value Long Short Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
132.Nuance Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
133.Olstein All Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
134.Olstein Strategic Opportunities Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
135.Port Street Quality Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
136.Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
137.Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
138.Reinhart Genesis PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
139.Reinhart International PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
140.Reinhart Mid Cap PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
141.Tortoise Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
142.Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Total Return Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
143.Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
144.V-Shares MSCI World ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition ETF, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
145.V-Shares US Leadership Diversity ETF, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
146.Greenspring Income Opportunities Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
147.Hood River International Opportunity Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
148.Hood River Small-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
149.Mar Vista Strategic Growth Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
150.Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
151.Matrix Advisors Funds Trust
152.Matrix Advisors Value Fund, Inc.
153.Monetta Trust
154.Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.
155.Nicholas Fund, Inc.
156.Nicholas II, Inc.
157.Nicholas Limited Edition, Inc.
158.Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
159.Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds
160.Perritt Funds, Inc.
161.Procure ETF Trust II
162.Professionally Managed Portfolios
163.Prospector Funds, Inc.
164.Provident Mutual Funds, Inc.
165.Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
166.Abbey Capital Multi-Asset Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
167.Adara Smaller Companies Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
168.Aquarius International Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
169.Boston Partners All Cap Value Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
170.Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
171.Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
172.Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
173.Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
174.Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
175.Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
176.Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
177.Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
178.Campbell Systematic Macro Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
179.F/m Opportunistic Income ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
180.Motley Fool 100 Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
181.Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
182.Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
183.Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
184.Motley Fool Next Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
185.Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
186.Optima Strategic Credit Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
187.SGI Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
188.SGI Peak Growth Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
189.SGI Prudent Growth Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
190.SGI Small Cap Core Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
191.SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
192.SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
193.US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
194.US Treasury 12 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
195.US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
196.US Treasury 20 Year Bond ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
197.US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
198.US Treasury 3 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
199.US Treasury 30 Year Bond ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
200.US Treasury 5 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
201.US Treasury 6 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
202.US Treasury 7 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
203.WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
204.WPG Partners Small Cap Value Diversified Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
205.The RBB Fund Trust
206.RBC Funds Trust
207.Series Portfolios Trust
208.Thompson IM Funds, Inc.
209.TrimTabs ETF Trust
210.Trust for Advised Portfolios
211.Barrett Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
212.Bright Rock Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
213.Bright Rock Quality Large Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
214.CrossingBridge Low Duration High Yield Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
215.CrossingBridge Responsible Credit Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
216.CrossingBridge Ultra-Short Duration Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
217.RiverPark Strategic Income Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
218.Dearborn Partners Rising Dividend Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
219.Jensen Global Quality Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
220.Jensen Quality Value Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
221.Rockefeller Climate Solutions Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
222.Rockefeller US Small Cap Core Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
223.Terra Firma US Concentrated Realty Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
224.USQ Core Real Estate Fund
225.Wall Street EWM Funds Trust
226.Wisconsin Capital Funds, Inc.
(b) The following are the Officers and Manager of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is 111 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | Address | Position with Underwriter | Position with Registrant |
Teresa Cowan | 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | President/Manager | None |
Chris Lanza | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President | None |
Kate Macchia | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President | None |
Weston Sommers | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland ME 04101 | Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer | None |
Kelly B. Whetstone | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Secretary | None |
Susan L. LaFond | 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer and Treasurer | None |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are maintained at the following locations:
| | | | | |
Records Maintained By: | Are located at: |
Registrant’s Fund Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent | U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
Registrant’s Custodian | U.S. Bank National Association 1555 N. RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 |
Registrant’s Investment Adviser | Principal Street Partners, LLC 949 South Shady Grove Road, Suite 402 Memphis, Tennessee 38120 |
Registrant’s Distributor | Quasar Distributors, LLC 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 582 to the Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 582 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed below on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, on the 28th day of December, 2023.
Managed Portfolio Series
By: /s/ Brian R. Wiedmeyer
Brian R. Wiedmeyer
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the 28th day of December, 2023.
| | | | | | | | |
Signature | Title |
| |
Robert J. Kern* | Trustee |
Robert J. Kern | |
| |
David A. Massart* | Trustee |
David A. Massart | |
| |
Leonard M. Rush* | Trustee |
Leonard M. Rush | |
| |
David M. Swanson* | Trustee |
David M. Swanson | |
| |
/s/ Brian R. Wiedmeyer | President and Principal Executive Officer |
Brian R. Wiedmeyer | |
| |
/s/ Benjamin Eirich | Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer |
Benjamin Eirich | |
| |
*By: | /s/ Brian R. Wiedmeyer | |
| Brian R. Wiedmeyer, Attorney-In-Fact pursuant to Power of Attorney | |