N-CSR 1 fp0024505_ncsr.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act File Number 811-22888

Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

11525 Park Woods Circle, Ste. 200
Alpharetta, GA 30005
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Daniel Wildermuth
c/o Wildermuth Advisory, LLC
11525 Park Woods Circle, Ste. 200
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(Name and address of agent for service)

COPIES TO:

John H. Grady
DLA Piper (U.S.), LLP
1650 Market Street, Ste. 4900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (888) 889-8981
 
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
 
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2016

Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.
 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

WWW.WILDERMUTHENDOWMENTFUND.COM ● 1-888-889-8981 ●
DISTRIBUTED BY SQN SECURITIES, LLC (MEMBER FINRA/SIPC)


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

2

Portfolio Review

3

Schedule of Investments

5

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

12

Statement of Operations

13

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

14

Statement of Cash Flows

15

Financial Highlights

16

Notes to Financial Statements

18

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

29

Trustees and Officers

30

Additional Information

33

Privacy Policy

35

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

Dear Investor:

 

We are pleased to present this annual report for the Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) covering the 12-month period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

 

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2016, the Fund delivered a 10.61% total return versus 8.24% for a 60% stock and 40% bond portfolio represented by a 11.96% annual return for the S&P 500® Total Return Index and 2.65% for the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The Fund’s performance resulted from nearly all asset classes delivering positive to strong returns, with a few delivering negative returns on the year.

 

The asset classes that most contributed to the Fund’s performance included private equity, real estate, real estate debt, oil and gas, and US and emerging markets equity.

 

Within private equity, successful company growth and development contributed to strong returns across the category. In the real estate sector, nearly all classifications enjoyed success, including multifamily, opportunistic, leisure, healthcare, and office. Returns were generated through both rental income and capital appreciation. Returns were also enhanced through the judicious purchase of some holdings from distressed sellers.

 

Oil and gas enjoyed strong returns on the year after some positions suffered because of the decline in oil prices during the first six weeks of the year. Allocation to the oil and gas sector was increased substantially after oil hit its low in February through the addition of several new investments enabling the fund to benefit from the recovery of oil prices in general and the appreciation of various assets including drilling rights.

 

Public equity markets in the U.S. and abroad generally contributed to overall returns, but various markets contributed very differently. U.S. fund positions delivered strong returns and as a group, outperformed U.S. markets. Similarly, public equity investments in emerging markets delivered strong returns and as a group outpaced category index returns. While equity positions in developed foreign markets also were stronger than the overall market indices, the overall flat returns of the sector acted as a significant drag on this category resulting in weak returns for developed foreign markets.

 

A few other asset classes within the Fund experienced weak or negative returns on the year, although no categories delivered significant losses. Fixed income as a category contributed almost nothing to the fund’s returns, with several subcategories experiencing small losses. Absolute return as a category generated very modest returns, and a few specific investments experienced losses. Managed futures generated a loss for the portfolio and delivered the poorest performance of any category within the fund.

 

Looking forward to 2017, inevitable change in global markets and new unknowns in the U.S. associated with a new President and his incoming administration will present both interesting challenges and exciting opportunities for investors. In this environment, we are optimistic about many opportunities to add or expand exposure to attractive asset classes and specific investments, and we believe the Fund is uniquely positioned to benefit from the current investment environment.

 

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Daniel Wildermuth
President and Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman and Trustee of the Fund
February 2017

 

2

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Portfolio Review
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s performance figures* for the period ended December 31, 2016, compared to its benchmarks:

 

One
Year

Annualized
Since Inception1

Class A

10.61%

10.17%

Class A with Load2

3.96%

6.81%

S&P 500® Total Return Index**

11.96%

6.54%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index***

2.65%

1.59%

 

 

Cumulative
Since Inception3,4

Class C

 

10.43%

Class C with Sales Charge5

 

9.43%

S&P 500® Total Return Index**

 

12.73%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index***

 

0.81%

 

1

The Class A inception date is December 31, 2014.

 

2

Calculated using the maximum sales load of 6.00%

 

3

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

4

The Class C inception date is March 14, 2016.

 

5

Class C shares are subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 1.00% on any shares redeemed within 365 days of purchase.

 

*

The performance data quoted here represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemptions of Fund shares. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Class A has a total annual operating expense of 17.26% and Class C has a total annual operating expense of 18.01% per the prospectus dated March 15, 2016.

 

**

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 widely held common stocks. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

***

The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-through securities), ABS, and CMBS. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Portfolio Review - Continued
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

 

 

Holdings by type of Investment

% of
Net Assets

U.S. Market

15.95%

Foreign Developed Market Equities

10.14%

Emerging Market Equities

12.95%

Real Estate

18.42%

Natural Resources

10.92%

Private Equity

13.81%

Absolute Return/Hedge Fund/Futures Fund

6.94%

Fixed Income/Debt

4.87%

Cash/Cash Equivalents

6.00%

 

100.00%

   
   

 

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this Annual Report for detailed analysis of the Fund’s Holdings.

 

4

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

COMMON STOCKS — 28.6%

     
   

ADVERTISING — 0.2%

     
 

6,934

 

Havas SA

 

$

58,509

 
               
     

AGRICULTURE — 0.7%

       
 

1,814

 

Bunge, Ltd.

   

131,043

 
 

997

 

Sipef SA

   

63,610

 
 

1,448

 

Swedish Match AB

   

46,192

 
           

240,845

 
     

AIRLINES — 0.1%

       
 

18,401

 

Qantas Airways, Ltd.

   

44,370

 
               
     

AUTO MANUFACTURERS — 0.2%

       
 

1,700

 

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

59,963

 
               
     

AUTO PARTS & EQUIPMENT — 0.5%

       
 

206

 

Continental AG

   

39,914

 
 

21,362

 

SORL Auto Parts, Inc.(a)

   

64,941

 
 

1,471

 

Tenneco, Inc.(a)

   

91,893

 
           

196,748

 
     

BANKS — 2.0%

       
 

1,743

 

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

   

91,664

 
 

7,007

 

Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Ltd.

   

64,489

 
 

1,053

 

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

91,864

 
 

2,093

 

Erste Group Bank AG

   

61,426

 
 

8,700

 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

   

115,014

 
 

871

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

75,159

 
 

10,164

 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., ADR

   

62,610

 
 

9,200

 

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.

   

56,803

 
 

1,326

 

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

73,076

 
 

4,310

 

Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc.

   

47,041

 
           

739,146

 
     

BEVERAGES — 0.1%

       
 

634

 

Heineken Holding NV

   

44,228

 
               
     

BIOTECHNOLOGY — 0.5%

       
 

599

 

China Biologic Products, Inc.(a)

   

64,404

 
 

769

 

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

   

110,298

 
           

174,702

 
     

BUILDING MATERIALS — 0.9%

       
 

8,501

 

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

   

58,017

 
 

5,300

 

Nihon Flush Co., Ltd.

   

59,255

 
 

4,126

 

Owens Corning

   

212,736

 
           

330,008

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

     
   

CHEMICALS — 0.3%

     
 

1,117

 

Croda International PLC

 

$

44,111

 
 

2,810

 

Teijin, Ltd.

   

57,075

 
           

101,186

 
     

COMMERCIAL SERVICES — 1.7%

       
 

848

 

Groupe Crit

   

60,821

 
 

1,818

 

Intrum Justitia AB

   

61,516

 
 

5,246

 

McMillan Shakespeare, Ltd.

   

41,292

 
 

769

 

S&P Global, Inc.

   

82,698

 
 

5,472

 

Total System Services, Inc.

   

268,292

 
 

1,174

 

United Rentals, Inc.(a)

   

123,951

 
           

638,570

 
     

COMPUTERS — 0.4%

       
 

537

 

Ingenico Group SA

   

42,972

 
 

537

 

International Business Machines Corp.

   

89,137

 
           

132,109

 
     

DISTRIBUTION/WHOLESALE — 0.1%

       
 

6,217

 

Inchcape PLC

   

53,927

 
               
     

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES — 0.5%

       
 

5,700

 

Ally Financial, Inc.

   

108,414

 
 

11,900

 

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd.

   

61,625

 
           

170,039

 
     

ELECTRIC — 0.4%

       
 

2,421

 

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP

   

81,031

 
 

2,558

 

Huaneng Power International, Inc., ADR

   

66,610

 
           

147,641

 
     

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS & EQUIPMENT — 0.2%

       
 

1,098

 

OSRAM Licht AG

   

57,703

 
               
     

ELECTRONICS — 0.2%

       
 

17,715

 

AU Optronics Corp., ADR

   

62,711

 
               
     

ENERGY-ALTERNATE SOURCES — 0.1%

       
 

5,071

 

Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc.

   

53,051

 
               
     

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION — 0.4%

       
 

1,966

 

Argan, Inc.

   

138,701

 
               
     

ENTERTAINMENT — 0.2%

       
 

1,978

 

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

   

75,876

 
               
     

 FOOD — 0.7%

       
 

3,280

 

Dean Foods Co.

   

71,438

 
 

3,275

 

Hain Celestial Group, Inc.(a)

   

127,823

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

     
   

FOOD (Continued)

     
 

13,272

 

J Sainsbury PLC

 

$

40,884

 
           

240,145

 
     

 GAS — 0.1%

       
 

1,932

 

Enagas SA

   

49,161

 
               
     

HEALTHCARE-PRODUCTS — 0.3%

       
 

4,194

 

Exactech, Inc.(a)

   

114,496

 
               
     

HEALTHCARE-SERVICES — 1.1%

       
 

784

 

Chemed Corp.

   

125,762

 
 

6,496

 

HealthSouth Corp.

   

267,895

 
           

393,657

 
     

HOME FURNISHINGS — 0.2%

       
 

5,829

 

Panasonic Corp.

   

59,447

 
               
     

INSURANCE — 0.9%

       
 

8,703

 

State National Cos., Inc.

   

120,624

 
 

233

 

Swiss Life Holding AG

   

66,067

 
 

523

 

Swiss Re AG

   

49,655

 
 

1,807

 

Unum Group

   

79,381

 
           

315,727

 
     

INTERNET — 0.2%

       
 

303

 

Iliad SA

   

58,372

 
               
     

LEISURE TIME — 0.4%

       
 

2,729

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd.(a)

   

116,064

 
 

2,996

 

TUI AG

   

42,076

 
           

158,140

 
     

LODGING — 0.5%

       
 

1,480

 

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

   

122,367

 
 

944

 

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

   

72,093

 
           

194,460

 
     

MACHINERY-DIVERSIFIED — 0.5%

       
 

548

 

Cummins, Inc.

   

74,895

 
 

4,700

 

Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.

   

62,581

 
 

3,124

 

Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd.

   

57,232

 
           

194,708

 
     

OIL & GAS — 1.6%

       
 

11,285

 

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

   

128,423

 
 

7,555

 

Enerplus Corp.

   

71,621

 
 

2,078

 

Murphy Oil Corp.

   

64,688

 
 

1,730

 

Neste Oyj

   

66,602

 
 

6,323

 

Rowan Cos. Plc, Class A(a)

   

119,442

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

     
   

OIL & GAS (Continued)

     
 

1,465

 

Tesoro Corp.

 

$

128,114

 
           

578,890

 
     

OIL & GAS SERVICES — 0.4%

       
 

5,099

 

Subsea 7 SA(a)

   

64,747

 
 

5,447

 

World Point Terminals LP

   

90,148

 
           

154,895

 
     

PHARMACEUTICALS — 2.1%

       
 

3,400

 

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

   

47,326

 
 

530

 

Bayer AG

   

55,415

 
 

7,037

 

BTG PLC(a)

   

51,302

 
 

2,426

 

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

   

49,743

 
 

770

 

Johnson & Johnson

   

88,712

 
 

2,861

 

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

   

56,246

 
 

784

 

Novartis AG, ADR

   

57,107

 
 

2,569

 

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

   

92,124

 
 

4,730

 

Omega Protein Corp.(a)

   

118,486

 
 

2,585

 

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.(a)

   

158,202

 
           

774,663

 
     

PIPELINES — 2.2%

       
 

5,200

 

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP

   

90,272

 
 

1,306

 

Buckeye Partners LP

   

86,405

 
 

2,495

 

DCP Midstream Partners LP

   

95,758

 
 

6,540

 

Energy Transfer Equity LP

   

126,288

 
 

2,437

 

Genesis Energy LP

   

87,781

 
 

3,040

 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

62,958

 
 

1,813

 

Phillips 66 Partners LP

   

88,184

 
 

1,896

 

Spectra Energy Partners LP

   

86,913

 
 

1,655

 

TC PipeLines LP

   

97,380

 
           

821,939

 
     

RETAIL — 1.1%

       
 

1,467

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(a)

   

90,514

 
 

829

 

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

   

40,331

 
 

3,922

 

Michaels Cos., Inc.(a)

   

80,205

 
 

416

 

Pandora A/S

   

54,526

 
 

1,027

 

Target Corp.

   

74,180

 
 

1,097

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   

75,824

 
           

415,580

 
     

SAVINGS & LOANS — 0.4%

       
 

9,212

 

Banc of California, Inc.

   

159,828

 
               
     

SEMICONDUCTORS — 2.0%

       
 

501

 

Broadcom, Ltd.

   

88,562

 
 

2,860

 

Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)

   

161,704

 
 

1,383

 

Lam Research Corp.

   

146,225

 
 

809

 

NXP Semiconductors NV(a)

   

79,290

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

     
   

SEMICONDUCTORS (Continued)

     
 

1,318

 

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

 

$

98,402

 
 

17,689

 

Telit Communications PLC

   

60,107

 
 

1,229

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   

89,680

 
           

723,970

 
     

SOFTWARE — 1.6%

       
 

2,010

 

Cerner Corp.(a)

   

95,214

 
 

2,613

 

Changyou.com, Ltd., ADR(a)

   

55,448

 
 

759

 

Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.(a)

   

64,105

 
 

681

 

Dassault Systemes

   

51,996

 
 

1,405

 

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

   

149,323

 
 

1,487

 

Open Text Corp.

   

91,912

 
 

2,438

 

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.(a)

   

93,375

 
           

601,373

 
     

TELECOMMUNICATIONS — 1.5%

       
 

21,284

 

CenturyLink, Inc.

   

506,133

 
 

1,081

 

Millicom International Cellular SA

   

46,324

 
           

552,457

 
     

TRANSPORTATION — 0.5%

       
 

7,550

 

Ship Finance International, Ltd.

   

112,117

 
 

15,426

 

Teekay Offshore Partners LP

   

78,056

 
           

190,173

 
     

TRUCKING & LEASING — 0.6%

       
 

4,887

 

Greenbrier Cos., Inc.

   

203,055

 
               
     

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $9,820,557)

   

10,475,169

 
               
     

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS — 16.0%

       
     

CLOSED-END FUNDS — 0.5%

       
 

20,484

 

PIMCO High Income Fund

   

187,838

 
               
     

DEBT FUNDS — 2.8%

       
 

5,031

 

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond

   

543,650

 
 

1,294

 

iShares iBoxx $Investment Grade Corporate Bond

   

151,631

 
 

1,500

 

iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond

   

165,330

 
 

5,835

 

PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio

   

164,897

 
           

1,025,508

 
     

EQUITY FUNDS — 12.7%

       
 

6,858

 

iShares MSCI All Peru Capped

   

224,943

 
 

7,079

 

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped

   

236,014

 
 

5,908

 

iShares MSCI Chile Capped

   

221,077

 
 

6,695

 

iShares MSCI EAFE

   

386,502

 
 

8,387

 

iShares MSCI India

   

224,856

 
 

12,433

 

iShares MSCI Poland Capped

   

225,276

 
 

7,273

 

iShares MSCI Taiwan

   

213,608

 
 

3,079

 

iShares MSCI Thailand Capped

   

221,965

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (CONTINUED)

     
   

EQUITY FUNDS (Continued)

     
 

3,036

 

SPDR S&P China

 

$

218,744

 
 

12,103

 

VanEck Vectors Russia

   

256,826

 
 

62,121

 

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets

   

2,222,689

 
           

4,652,500

 
               
     

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $5,719,053)

   

5,865,846

 
               
     

ABSOLUTE RETURN INVESTMENTS — 3.5%

       
     

MANAGED FUTURES — 3.5%

       
 

500,000

 

Dunn-WMA LP(b)

   

432,192

 
 

900

 

Fort Global Offshore Fund, SPC(b)

   

853,248

 
           

1,285,440

 
               
     

TOTAL ABSOLUTE RETURN INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,400,000)

   

1,285,440

 
               
     

COMMODITY & NATURAL RESOURCE INVESTMENTS — 6.6%

       
 

857

 

Casillas Petroleum Resource Partners, LLC(b)

   

856,834

 
 

1,200,000

 

Kayne Anderson Energy Fund VII(b)

   

1,544,798

 
     

TOTAL COMMODITY & NATURAL RESOURCE INVESTMENTS (Cost $2,083,195)

   

2,401,632

 
               
     

HEDGE FUNDS — 2.7%

       
 

925,000

 

Direct Lending Income Fund LP(b)

   

971,116

 
     

TOTAL HEDGE FUNDS (Cost $925,000)

   

971,116

 
               
     

PRIVATE EQUITY — 13.9%

       
 

50

 

Atlas Fintech Holdings Corp.(b)

   

500,000

 
 

2,500

 

Clear Guide Medical, Inc.(b)(c)

   

2,989,100

 
 

10

 

GPB Automotive Portfolio LP(b)

   

500,695

 
 

337,207

 

Tout, Inc. - Series C Preferred Stock(b)

   

1,099,998

 
     

TOTAL PRIVATE EQUITY (Cost $4,355,073)

   

5,089,793

 
               
     

PUBLIC NON-TRADED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES — 3.5%

       
 

23,217

 

CION Investment Corp.(b)

   

210,116

 
 

22,462

 

Corporate Capital Trust, Inc.(b)

   

201,481

 
 

95,638

 

Franklin Square Energy & Power Fund(b)

   

718,716

 
 

18,605

 

HMS Income Fund, Inc.(b)

   

149,767

 
     

TOTAL PUBLIC NON-TRADED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES (Cost $1,223,868)

   

1,280,080

 
               
     

PRIVATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS — 13.5%

       
 

95,075

 

ARC Property Trust, Inc.(b)

   

1,348,168

 
 

101,470

 

Cottonwood Residential, Inc.(b)

   

1,738,181

 
 

800

 

PCG Select Series I LLC - Series A Preferred Stock(b)(c)

   

816,359

 
 

56

 

Shopoff Land Fund III LP(b)

   

50,680

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Schedule of Investments - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Number
of Shares

     

Value

 
   

PRIVATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

     
 

1,000,000

 

Stonehill Strategic Hotel Credit Opportunity Fund II LP(b)

 

$

1,000,000

 
     

TOTAL PRIVATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS (Cost $4,509,805)

   

4,953,388

 
               
     

PUBLIC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS — 5.0%

       
     

PUBLIC NON-TRADED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS — 4.8%

       
 

111,521

 

Behringer Harvard Opportunity(b)

   

399,245

 
 

135,025

 

CNL Lifestyle Properties(b)

   

283,553

 
 

18,060

 

Dividend Capital Diversified(b)

   

136,718

 
 

136,771

 

Highlands REIT, Inc.(b)

   

47,870

 
 

153,283

 

Inventrust Properties Corp.(b)

   

481,309

 
 

102,130

 

KBS REIT II, Inc.(b)

   

372,776

 
 

3,330

 

Phillips Edison Grocery Center(b)

   

33,964

 
           

1,755,435

 
     

PUBLIC NON-TRADED REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP — 0.1%

       
 

1,725

 

Uniprop Manufactured Housing Communities Income Fund II(b)

   

21,286

 
               
     

PUBLICLY TRADED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS — 0.1%

       
 

964

 

Befimmo SA

   

54,255

 
     

TOTAL PUBLIC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,477,545)

   

1,830,976

 
               
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 4.8%

       
 

1,769,241

 

Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio - Institutional Class, 0.43%(d)

   

1,769,241

 
     

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,769,241)

   

1,769,241

 
               
     

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.1% (Cost $33,283,337)

   

35,922,681

 
     

Other assets less liabilities — 1.9%

   

714,205

 
               
     

TOTAL NET ASSETS —100.0%

 

$

36,636,886

 

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

LLC – Limited Liability Company

LP – Limited Partnership

PLC – Public Limited Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

SPC – Segregated Portfolio Company

 

(a)

Non-income Producing

(b)

Illiquid Security. Total illiquid securities represent 48.47% of net assets as of December 31, 2016.

(c)

Denotes an investment in an affiliated entity. Please refer to Note 8, Investments in Affiliated Issuers, in the notes to financial statements.

(d)

Represents the current rate as of December 31, 2016.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As of December 31, 2016

 

Assets:

     

Investments in unaffiliated issuers at value (cost $30,228,264)

 

$

32,117,222

 

Investments in affiliated issuers at value (cost $3,055,073)

   

3,805,459

 

Cash

   

952

 

Receivables:

       

Tax credit

   

244,927

 

Due from Adviser

   

50,837

 

Dividends and interest

   

69,394

 

Fund shares sold

   

86,298

 

Prepaid expenses

   

44,726

 

Funded commitment

   

300,000

 

Total assets

   

36,719,815

 
         

Liabilities:

       

Payables:

       

Professional fees

   

27,400

 

Shareholder servicing fees

   

15,676

 

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

11,565

 

Fund accounting and administration

   

9,453

 

Custody fees

   

3,918

 

Distribution fees

   

2,930

 

Accrued other liabilities

   

11,987

 

Total liabilities

   

82,929

 

Net Assets

 

$

36,636,886

 
         

Net Assets Consist of:

       

Paid in capital ($0 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized)

 

$

34,018,338

 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

   

(20,771

)

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments

   

2,639,344

 

Foreign currency translations

   

(25

)

Net Assets

 

$

36,636,886

 
         

Net Assets:

       

Class A

 

$

31,685,928

 

Class C(1)

   

4,950,958

 

Net Assets

 

$

36,636,886

 
         

Shares of Beneficial Interest Issued and Outstanding:

       

Class A shares

   

2,683,090

 

Class C shares(1)

   

422,019

 

Total Shares Outstanding

   

3,105,109

 
         

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds per Share(2)

       

Class A

 

$

11.81

 

Class C(1)(4)

 

$

11.73

 

Class A - Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value per share divided by 0.94)(3)

 

$

12.56

 

 

(1)

Class C inception date was March 14, 2016.

(2)

Redemptions made within 90 days of purchase may be assessed a redemption fee of 2.00%.

(3)

Reflects a maximum sales charge of 6.00%.

(4)

Class C Shares of the Fund are subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on any shares sold within 365 days of purchase.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Statement of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2016

 

Investment Income:

     

Dividends from unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign withholding taxes of $7,787)

 

$

566,917

 

Dividends from affiliated issuers (net of foreign witholding taxes of $0)

   

28,526

 

Interest

   

4,196

 

Total investment income

   

599,639

 
         

Expenses:

       

Advisory fees (see Note 4)

   

351,712

 

Legal fees

   

235,432

 

Accounting & administration servicing fees

   

92,234

 

Transfer agent fees

   

75,172

 

Shareholder servicing fees - Class A

   

54,093

 

Registration fees

   

52,224

 

Trustees' fees

   

43,555

 

Chief compliance officer fees

   

39,342

 

Chief financial officer fees

   

38,725

 

Printing and postage expenses

   

32,583

 

Insurance expense

   

26,043

 

Custodian fees

   

23,513

 

Miscellaneous expenses

   

21,668

 

Audit fees

   

20,388

 

Distribution fees - Class C*

   

13,576

 

Shareholder servicing fees - Class C*

   

4,525

 

Total expenses

   

1,124,785

 

Expenses waived and reimbursed from Adviser (see Note 4)

   

(525,023

)

Net expenses

   

599,762

 

Net investment loss

   

(123

)

         

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency:

       

Net realized gain (loss) on:

       

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

   

6,127

 

Distributions of realized gains by underlying investment companies

   

12,670

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(2,484

)

Total net realized gain

   

16,313

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

       

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

   

1,834,192

 

Investments in affiliated issuers

   

750,386

 

Foreign currency translations

   

(25

)

Total net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

   

2,584,553

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

2,600,866

 
         

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

$

2,600,743

 

 

*

Reflects operations for the period from March 14, 2016 (inception date) to December 31, 2016.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   

For the
year ended
December 31,
2016

   

For the
period ended
December 31,
2015
(2)

 

Change in Net Assets From:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(123

)

 

$

24,563

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

   

3,643

     

(208,701

)

Distributions of realized gains by underlying investment companies

   

12,670

     

25,810

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

2,584,553

     

54,766

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   

2,600,743

     

(103,562

)

                 

Distributions to Shareholders:

               

From net investment income

   

     

(10,989

)

From return of capital - Class A

   

(351,953

)

   

(135,124

)

From return of capital - Class C(1)

   

(27,113

)

   

 

Total distributions to shareholders

   

(379,066

)

   

(146,113

)

                 

Capital Share Transactions:

               

Net proceeds from Class A shares sold

   

15,811,022

     

14,121,176

 

Net proceeds from Class C shares sold(1)

   

4,773,737

     

 

Reinvestment of distributions from Class A shares

   

224,283

     

95,473

 

Reinvestment of distributions from Class C shares(1)

   

24,899

     

 

Cost of Class A shares redeemed

   

(867,149

)

   

 

Cost of Class C shares redeemed(1)

   

(20,000

)

   

 

Redemption fees

   

1,443

     

 

Net increase from capital share transactions

   

19,948,235

     

14,216,649

 
                 

Net change in net assets

   

22,169,912

     

13,966,974

 
                 

Net Assets:

               

Beginning of period

   

14,466,974

     

500,000

 

End of period

 

$

36,636,886

   

$

14,466,974

 
                 

Undistributed net investment income

 

$

   

$

11,209

 
                 

Transactions in Shares:

               

Issuance of Class A shares

   

1,399,946

     

1,281,421

 

Issuance of Class C shares(1)

   

421,583

     

 

Class A shares reinvested

   

20,041

     

8,770

 

Class C shares reinvested(1)

   

2,177

     

 

Class A shares redeemed

   

(77,088

)

   

 

Class C shares redeemed(1)

   

(1,741

)

   

 

Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding

   

1,764,918

     

1,290,191

 

 

(1)

Reflects operations for the period from March 14, 2016 (inception date) to December 31, 2016.

(2)

The Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund commenced operations on January 2, 2015 (inception date 12/31/2014).

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

14

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

 

   

For the
year ended
December 31,
2016

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

2,600,743

 

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:

       

Purchases of investments

   

(31,027,582

)

Purchases of short term investments, net

   

(259,479

)

Proceeds from sale of investments

   

12,097,351

 

Net realized gain from investments

   

(6,127

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

   

(2,584,578

)

Return of capital and non-income distributions received

   

373,464

 

Distributions of realized gains by underlying investment companies

   

(12,670

)

         

Changes in assets and liabilities

       

(Increase)/Decrease in assets:

       

Receivable from tax credit

   

(244,927

)

Due from Investment Adviser

   

(8,084

)

Dividend and interest receivable

   

77,591

 

Receivable for fund shares sold

   

(86,298

)

Receivable for securities sold

   

79,117

 

Receivable from affiliate

   

2,719

 

Funded commitment

   

(200,000

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

(12,554

)

Increase/(Decrease) in liabilities:

       

Payable for securities purchased

   

(371,835

)

Payable for shareholder servicing fees

   

9,484

 

Payable for trustee fees

   

(13,246

)

Payable for fund accounting and administration fees

   

26,841

 

Payables for transfer agent fees and expenses

   

8,379

 

Payable for distribution fees

   

2,930

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   

(20,311

)

Net cash used in operating activities

   

(19,569,072

)

         

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

   

20,584,759

 

Cost of shares redeemed, net of redemption fees

   

(885,706

)

Cash distributions paid, net of reinvestment

   

(129,884

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

   

19,569,169

 
         

Net increase in cash

   

97

 

Cash at beginning of year

   

855

 

Cash at end of year

 

$

952

 
         

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

       

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of distributions

 

$

249,182

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

15

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Financial Highlights – Class A

 

 

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout each period.

   

For the
year ended
December 31,
2016
(1)(2)

   

For the
period ended
December 31,
2015
(11)

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.79

   

$

10.00

 
                 

Income from Investment Operations:

               

Net investment income(3)

   

0.01

     

0.05

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

   

1.19

     

0.93

(4) 

Total from investment operations

   

1.20

     

0.98

 

Less Distributions:

               

From net investment income

   

     

(0.03

)

From return of capital

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.16

)

Total distributions

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.19

)

                 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

11.81

   

$

10.79

 
                 

Total return(5)

   

11.27

%

   

9.74

%(6)

                 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

               

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

31,686

   

$

14,467

 

Ratio of expenses before waivers to average net assets(8)

   

4.73

%

   

16.65

%(7)

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(8)(9)

   

2.50

%

   

2.50

%(7)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(8)(10)

   

0.07

%

   

0.49

%(7)

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

107

%(6)

 

(1)

Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder processing.

(2)

Redemption fees consisted of per share amounts of less than $0.01

(3)

Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(4)

Realized and unrealized gain per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gains on the Statement of Operations for the period ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.

(5)

Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or absorbed by the Adviser. Returns shown do not include payment of a maximum sales load of 6.00% of offering price. If the sales charge was included total returns would be lower.

(6)

Not annualized.

(7)

Annualized.

(8)

The ratios of expenses and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of income and expenses of underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

(9)

Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser.

(10)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

(11)

The Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund commenced operations on January 2, 2015 (inception date 12/31/2014).

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

16

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Financial Highlights – Class C

 

 

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period.

   

For the
period ended December 31,
2016
(1)(2)

 
       

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.68

 
         

Income from Investment Operations:

       

Net investment loss(3)

   

(0.07

)

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

   

1.25

 

Total from investment operations

   

1.18

 

Less Distributions:

       

From return of capital

   

(0.13

)

Total distributions

   

(0.13

)

         

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

11.73

 
         

Total return(4)(5)

   

11.10

%

         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

4,951

 

Ratio of expenses before waivers to average net assets(6)(7)

   

5.63

%

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(6)(7)(8)

   

3.25

%

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets(6)(7)(9)

   

(0.77

%)

Portfolio turnover rate(5)

   

55

%

 

(1)

Reflects operations for the period from March 14, 2016 (inception date) to December 31, 2016.

(2)

Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder processing.

(3)

Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(4)

Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or absorbed by the Adviser. Returns shown do not include payment of a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on any shares sold within 365 days of purchase. If the sales charge was included total returns would be lower.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

(7)

The ratios of expenses and net investment loss to average net assets do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of income and expenses of underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

(8)

Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser.

(9)

Recognition of net investment loss by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

17

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2016

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 28, 2013, and did not have any operations from that date until December 31, 2014, other than those relating to organizational matters and registration of its shares under applicable securities law. The Fund commenced operations on January 2, 2015. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through a combination of long-term capital appreciation and income generation. The Fund will pursue its objective by investing in assets that Wildermuth Advisory, LLC (the “Adviser”) believes provide favorable long-term capital appreciation and risk-adjusted return potential, as well as in income-producing assets that the Adviser believes will provide consistent income generation and liquidity.

 

The Fund is engaged in a continuous offering, up to a maximum of 25 million shares of beneficial interest, and will operate as an interval fund that will offer to make quarterly repurchases of shares at the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund currently offers two different classes of shares: Class A and Class C shares. In addition, the Fund has registered Class I shares, which are not currently being offered.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

 

Investment Valuation – For purposes of determining the NAV of the Fund, and as applicable, readily marketable portfolio securities listed on the NYSE are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day or if market prices may be unreliable because of events occurring after the close of trading, then the security is valued by such method as the Fair Value Committee shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges are valued in a like manner. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Securities trading on NASDAQ are valued at the closing price, or, in the case of securities not reported by NASDAQ, a comparable source, as the Fair Value Committee deems appropriate to reflect their fair market value. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the day, or if no asked price is available, at the bid price. However, certain debt securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.

 

The “last reported” trade price or sale price or “closing” bid price of a security on any trading day shall be deemed to be: (a) with respect to securities traded primarily on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, the last reported trade price or sale price, as the case may be, as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on that day, and (b) for securities listed, traded or quoted on any other exchange, market, system or service, the market price as of the end of the “regular hours” trading period that is generally accepted as such by such exchange, market, system or service. If, in the future, the benchmark times generally accepted in the securities industry for determining the market price of a stock as of a given trading day shall change from those set forth above, the fair market value of a security shall be determined as of such other generally accepted benchmark times.

 

Non-dollar-denominated securities, if any, are valued as of the close of the NYSE at the closing price of such securities in their principal trading market, but may be valued at fair value if subsequent events occurring before the computation of NAV have materially affected the value of the securities. Trading may take place in foreign issues held by the Fund, if any, at times when the Fund is not open for business. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may change at times when it is not possible to purchase or sell shares of the Fund.

 

18

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities are valued at fair values as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Board has delegated the day-to-day responsibility for determining these fair values in accordance with the policies it has approved to the Fair Value Committee, subject to Valuation Committee and ultimately Board oversight. The Fair Value Committee will provide the Board with periodic reports, no less frequently than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable to that period, and that identify issues and valuations problems that have arisen, if any. As appropriate, the Valuation Committee and the Board will review any securities valued by the Fair Value Committee in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies during these periodic reports.

 

Investments in privately placed debt instruments initially will be valued at cost (purchase price plus all related acquisition costs and expenses, such as legal fees and closing costs) and thereafter will be revalued quarterly at fair value.

 

Investment Funds that are Private Funds and Non-Traded REITs (“Non-Traded Funds”) will be difficult to value, particularly to the extent that their underlying investments are not publicly traded. In the event a Non-Traded Fund does not report a value to the Fund on a timely basis, the Fair Value Committee, acting under the Valuation Committee and ultimately the Board’s supervision and pursuant to policies implemented by the Board, will determine the fair value of the Fund’s investment based on the most recent value reported by the Non-Traded Fund, as well as any other relevant information available at the time the Fund values its investments. Following procedures adopted by the Board, in the absence of specific transaction activity in a particular investment fund, the Fair Value Committee will consider whether it is appropriate, in light of all relevant circumstances, to value the Fund’s investment at the NAV reported by the Non-Traded Fund at the time of valuation or to adjust the value to reflect a premium or discount.

 

There is no single standard for determining fair value of a security. Rather, the Fair Value Committee’s fair value calculations will involve significant professional judgment in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes. In determining the fair value of a security for which there are no readily available market quotations, the Fair Value Committee, acting under the Valuation Committee and ultimately the Board’s supervision and pursuant to policies implemented by the Board, may consider several factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of the portfolio manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other accounts managed by the Adviser and the method used to price the security in those accounts; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formula produced by third parties independent of the Fund; and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security. Based on its review of all relevant information, the Fair Value Committee may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the asset manager and/or issuer of a Non-Traded Fund does not represent the fair value of the Fund’s investment in such security.

 

Because any Corporate Subsidiary through which the Fund invests in private equity investments or private oil and gas funds is treated as a regular taxable corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes any Corporate Subsidiary will incur tax expenses. Any Corporate Subsidiary used by the Fund will accrue, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, a deferred income tax liability balance at the currently effective maximum statutory U.S. federal income tax rate (currently 35%) plus an assumed state and local income tax rate, for its future tax liability associated with the capital appreciation of its investments and the distributions received on equity securities considered to be return of capital. In calculating its Daily NAV, the Fund will, among other things, account for any Corporate Subsidiary’s deferred tax liability and/or asset balances. Any deferred tax liability balance of any Corporate Subsidiary used by the Fund will reduce the Fund’s NAV.

 

GAAP defines fair value, establishes a three-tier framework for measuring fair value based on a hierarchy of inputs, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. It also provides guidance on determining when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability, when a transaction is not orderly and how that information must be incorporated into a fair value measurement. The hierarchy distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. An active market for the security is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value.

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc. and quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.) Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. An adjustment to any observable input that is significant to the fair value may render the measurement a Level 3 measurement.

 

19

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs, including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Unit (or Its Equivalent), modifying ASC 820. ASU 2015-07 became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Under the modifications, certain investments valued at net asset value are no longer included in the fair value hierarchy. The value of these investments is $4,362,718 and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2016.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016:

 

         

Fair Value Measurements at the
End of the Reporting Period Using

       

Investment in Securities

 

Practical
Expedient**

   

Level 1
Quoted Prices

   

Level 2
Other Significant Observable Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable Inputs

   

Total

 

Security Type

                             

Common Stocks*

 

$

   

$

10,475,169

   

$

   

$

   

$

10,475,169

 

Exchange Traded Funds*

   

     

5,865,846

     

     

     

5,865,846

 

Absolute Return Investments

   

1,285,440

(1)(5)(6) 

   

     

     

     

1,285,440

 

Commodity & Natural Resource Investments

   

1,544,798

(2)(5)(6) 

   

     

     

856,834

     

2,401,632

 

Hedge Funds

   

971,116

(3)(5)(6) 

   

     

     

     

971,116

 

Private Equity

   

     

     

     

5,089,793

     

5,089,793

 

Public Non-Traded Business Development Companies

   

561,364

(4)(5)(6) 

   

     

     

718,716

     

1,280,080

 

Private Real Estate Investments

   

     

     

     

4,953,388

     

4,953,388

 

Public Real Estate Investments*

   

     

54,255

     

     

1,776,721

     

1,830,976

 

Short Term Investments

   

     

1,769,241

     

     

     

1,769,241

 

Total

 

$

4,362,718

   

$

18,164,511

   

$

   

$

13,395,452

   

$

35,922,681

 

 

*

All sub-categories within the security type represent their respective evaluation status. For a detailed breakout by industry, please refer to the Schedule of Investments.

 

20

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

**

Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the schedule of investments.

 

(1)

Security

Withdrawals Permitted

Redemption Notice Period

Investment Objective

Investment Strategy

Lock Up Period

 

Dunn-WMA LP

Monthly

10 days

Capital Gains

Managed Futures

None

 

Fort Global Offshore Fund, SPC

Weekly

5 days

Capital Gains

Managed Futures - Diversified

None

             

(2)

Security

Withdrawals Permitted

Redemption Notice Period

Investment Objective

Investment Strategy

Lock Up Period

 

Kayne Anderson Energy Fund VII

Not
Applicable

Not
Applicable

Capital Gains

Purchase oil and gas companies; extraction and production companies.

None

             

(3)

Security

Withdrawals Permitted

Redemption Notice Period

Investment Objective

Investment Strategy

Lock Up Period

 

Direct Lending Income Fund LP

Quarterly

35 days

Current Income

Buying existing small business loans

None

             

(4)

Security

Withdrawals Permitted

Redemption Notice Period

Investment Objective

Investment Strategy

Lock Up Period

 

CION Investment Corp.

Quarterly

45 days

Current Income

Middle market private business loans

None

 

Corporate Capital Trust, Inc.

Quarterly

45 days

Current Income

Middle market private business loans

None

 

HMS Income Fund, Inc.

Quarterly

45 days

Current Income

Middle market private business loans

None

 

(5)

Redemption frequency and redemption notice period reflect general redemption terms, and exclude liquidity restrictions. Different tranches may have different liquidity terms and may be subject to investor level gates.

 

(6)

These investments are domiciled in the United States.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, there were no transfers in and out of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of all Levels at the end of the reporting period.

 

The following is a roll forward of the activity in investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value on a recurring basis:

 

  

   

Beginning balance January 1, 2016

   

Transfers into
Level 3 during the period

   

Transfers out of
Level 3 during the period

   

Purchases

   

(Sales)

   

Net realized gain

   

Tax Basis Adjustments

   

Change in net unrealized gain

   

Ending balance December 31,
2016

 

Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

                                                     

Commodity & Natural Resource Investments

 

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

856,834

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

856,834

 

Private Equity

   

500,000

     

     

     

4,100,000

     

     

     

(244,927

)

   

734,720

     

5,089,793

 

Public Non-Traded
Business Development Companies

   

     

     

     

645,280

     

     

     

(1,432

)

   

74,868

     

718,716

 

Private Real Estate Investments

   

580,712

     

     

     

4,064,922

     

     

     

(96,092

)

   

403,846

     

4,953,388

 

Public Real Estate Investments

   

1,609,645

     

     

     

240,778

     

(8,150

)

   

2,181

     

(112,740

)

   

45,007

     

1,776,721

 
   

$

2,690,357

   

$

   

$

   

$

9,907,814

   

$

(8,150

)

 

$

2,181

   

$

(455,191

)

 

$

1,258,441

   

$

13,395,452

 

 

The change in net unrealized gain included in the Statement of Operations attributable to Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2016 is $1,258,441.

 

21

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

The following is a summary of quantitative information about significant unobservable valuation inputs for Level 3 Fair Value Measurements for investments held as of December 31, 2016:

 

Type of Level 3 Investment

 

Fair Value as of
December 31, 2016

 

Valuation Technique

Unobservable Inputs

Commodity & Natural Resource Investments

 

$

856,834

 

Private Transaction Cost

Not Applicable*

Private Equity

 

$

5,089,793

 

Private Transaction Cost, Option Pricing Method**

Not Applicable*

Public Non- Traded Business Development Companies

 

$

718,716

 

Current Value Method***

Not Applicable*

Private Real Estate Investments

 

$

4,953,388

 

Private Transaction Cost

Not Applicable*

Public Real Estate Investments

 

$

1,776,721

 

Current Value Method***

Not Applicable*

 

*

Financial information is not prepared in accordance with GAAP or ASC Topic 946

 

**

Relies on financial option theory to allocate value among different classes of members’ equity based upon a future option “claim” on value. Under this method, the values of the various classes of stock are estimated as the net value of a series of call options, representing the present value of the expected future returns to the shareholders.

 

***

The Current Value Method, also referred to as the “Waterfall Method,” is based on allocating the Enterprise Value (individual assets net of liabilities) across the various classes of securities, in conformance with liquidation preferences and conversion values.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – Security transactions are accounted for on trade date basis. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders – Dividends from gross investment income are declared and distributed quarterly. Distributable net realized capital gains are declared and distributed annually. Dividends from gross investment income and distributions from net realized gains are recorded on ex- dividend date and determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (i.e., deferred losses, capital loss carry forwards) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification.

 

Distributions received from investments in securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investment or as a realized gain, respectively. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from the Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year; accordingly, the Fund estimates these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distribution information available.

 

Investment Companies – The Fund may obtain investment exposure to various asset classes by investing in other investment companies, including registered investment companies, such as ETFs, mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as hedge funds, private equity funds or other privately offered pooled investment vehicles that are not registered under the 1940 Act (collectively “Investment Funds”). Each Investment Fund is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, and foreign currency risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities and commodities among others. Also, the Fund’s performance depends in part upon the performance of the Investment Fund managers and selected strategies, the adherence by such Investment Fund managers to such selected strategies, the instruments used by such Investment Fund managers and the Adviser’s ability to select Investment Funds and strategies and effectively allocate Fund assets among them. By investing in Investment Funds indirectly through the Fund, the investor bears asset-based fees at the Fund level, in addition to any asset-based fees and/or performance-based fees and allocations at the Investment Fund level. Moreover, an investor in the Fund bears a proportionate share of the fees and

 

22

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

expenses of the Fund (including organizational and offering expenses, operating costs, sales charges, brokerage transaction expenses, and administrative fees) and, indirectly, similar expenses of the Investment Funds. Thus, an investor in the Fund may be subject to higher fees and operating expenses than if he or she invested in an Investment Fund directly.

 

Federal Income Taxes – It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision has been recorded.

 

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on returns filed for open tax years 2015 and 2016. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal, and foreign jurisdictions where the Fund makes significant investments; however, the Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

 

Redemption Fee – For shares held for 90 days or less, the Fund will deduct a 2% redemption fee from the redemption amount if the shares are sold pursuant to the Fund’s quarterly repurchase program. Shares held longest will be treated as being repurchased first and shares held shortest as being repurchased last. The redemption fee does not apply to shares that were acquired through reinvestment of distributions. Shares held for more than 90 days are not subject to the 2% fee. Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Fund had contributions to capital due to redemption fees in the amount of $1,443.

 

Indemnification – The Fund indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on industry experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.

 

Foreign Currency Translation – The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the rate of exchange of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange quoted on the respective date that such transactions are recorded. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of portfolio securities, sales and maturities of short-term securities, sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at each reporting period, resulting from changes in the exchange rate.

 

3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from the sale of securities, other than short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 2016, amounted to $31,027,582 and $12,097,351, respectively.

 

4. ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDER TRANSACTIONS

 

Advisory Fees – The Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to the annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Adviser earned $351,712 in advisory fees.

 

23

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

The Adviser and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the direct, ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including offering and organizational expenses but excluding front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation)), to the extent that they exceed 2.50% and 3.25% per annum of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares (the “Expense Limitation”), respectively, through March 31, 2017. In consideration of the Adviser’s agreement to limit the Fund’s expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed. Any waiver or reimbursement of fees by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following such waiver or reimbursement; provided, however, that (i) the Fund is able to make such repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time the fees being repaid were waived or the Fund’s current expense limitation, whichever is lower, and (ii) such repayment is approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated only by the Fund’s Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Adviser did not recoup any expenses. At December 31, 2016, $73,173 is subject to recoupment through December 31, 2017, $703,853 through December 31, 2018 and an additional $525,023 through December 31, 2019, to the extent the Expense Limitation Agreement is still in effect.

 

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) with SQN Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”) to act as the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor. The Agreement provides that a monthly distribution fee is calculated at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C. Class A shares are not currently subject to a distribution fee. For the year ended December 31, 2016, $13,576 had been accrued for Class C distribution fees.

 

Pursuant to a separate Shareholder Services Plan and Agreement (the “Plan) with Hemlock Fund Services, LLC (the “Servicer), an affiliate of the Distributor, the Fund will pay a shareholder servicing fee to the Servicer in connection with servicing shares of the Fund. The Plan provides that a monthly service fee is calculated at an annual rate equal 0.25% of average daily net assets separately attributable to Class A and Class C. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Class A had accrued $54,093 in shareholder service fees and Class C had accrued $4,525.

 

Trustees – Each Independent Trustee will receive a retainer of $5,000 per year, plus $2,500 for each board or board committee meeting the trustee attends in person ($3,000 for attendance by the chairperson of the audit committee at each meeting of the audit committee), $500 for each meeting the trustee attends telephonically. If there is a meeting of the Board and one or more committees in a single day, the fees will be limited to $3,000 per day ($3,500 for the chairperson of the audit committee if there is a meeting of such committee) for an in person meeting and $750 ($1,000 for the chairperson of the audit committee if there is a meeting of such committee) for meetings attended telephonically. No “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Fund will receive any compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Fund.

 

Other Service Providers – Pursuant to an agreement with Vigilant Compliance, LLC (“Vigilant”), an employee of Vigilant serves as the Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Fund. For the provision of these services, Vigilant receives compensation for these services. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amounts accrued for payment to Vigilant for these services were $39,342 for Chief Compliance Officer and $38,725 for Chief Financial Officer. These amounts are shown in the Statement of Operations under “Chief compliance officer fees” and “Chief financial officer fees”.

 

Pursuant to a separate, previous servicing agreement with RCS Advisory Services, LLC (“RCSAS”), previously the Administrator of the Fund and an affiliate of RCS, the Fund paid RCSAS customary fees for providing administration and fund accounting services to the Fund. RCSAS had entered into a contract with Gemini Fund Services (“GFS”) pursuant to which GFS served as sub-administrator and provided sub-fund accounting services for the Trust from January 1, 2016 through March 11, 2016. During that period, $13,244 had been accrued for services provided. Effective March 12, 2016 UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”) replaced GFS as the Fund’s administrator and fund accounting service provider.

 

Pursuant to a separate, previous servicing agreement with American National Stock Transfer, LLC (“ANST”), ANST had served as the Transfer Agent for the Fund for the period January 1, 2016 through March 11, 2016 and was an affiliate of the RCS and GFS. ANST had entered into an agreement with GFS to serve as sub-transfer agent to the Fund. For the period January 1, 2016 through March 11, 2016, $17,346 was accrued for payment to ANST for services provided. Effective March 12, 2016, UMBFS replaced ANST as the Fund’s transfer agent.

 

24

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (“MUFG”) served as the Fund’s custodian for the period January 1, 2016 through March 11, 2016. For this period, $3,922 was accrued for payment to MUFG for services provided. Effective March 12, 2016, UMB Bank, N.A. replaced MUFG as the Fund’s custodian.

 

5. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At December 31, 2016, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

 

$

33,164,338

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

3,454,348

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

   

(696,005

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

 

$

2,758,343

 

 

The difference between cost amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes is due primarily to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses in security transactions and investments in partnerships.

 

GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended December 31, 2016, permanent differences in book and tax accounting have been reclassified to paid-in capital, accumulated net investment income (loss) and accumulated realized gain (loss) as follows:

 

Increase (Decrease)

Paid in
Capital

Accumulated Net
Investment Income (Loss)

Accumulated Net
Realized Gain (Loss)

$ (132,356)

$ (11,086)

$ 143,442

 

As of December 31, 2016, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

 

$

 

Undistributed long-term gains

   

 

Tax accumulated earnings

   

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   

(139,770

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

   

2,758,343

 

Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations

   

(25

)

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

 

$

2,618,548

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

   

2016

   

2015

 

Distributions paid from:

           

Ordinary income

 

$

   

$

10,989

 

Long-term capital gains

   

     

 

Return of capital

   

379,066

     

135,124

 

Total distributions paid

 

$

379,066

   

$

146,113

 

 

25

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Fund had net capital loss carryovers as follows:

 

Not subject to expiration:

     

Short Term

 

$

117,992

 

Long Term

   

21,778

 
   

$

139,770

 

 

Capital loss carryovers are available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce further taxable gain distributions.

 

6. REPURCHASE OFFERS

 

Pursuant to Rule 23c 3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund offers shareholders on a quarterly basis the option of redeeming shares, at net asset value, of no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the shares outstanding. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer, although each shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to purchase up to and including 5% of such shareholder’s shares in each quarterly repurchase. Limited liquidity will be provided to shareholders only through the Fund’s quarterly repurchases.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Fund completed four quarterly repurchase offers. In those offers, the Fund offered to repurchase up to 5% of the number of its outstanding shares as of the Repurchase Pricing Dates. The results of those repurchase offers were as follows:

 

Repurchase Pricing Date

 

February 1, 2016

   

May 2, 2016

   

August 1, 2016

   

October 31, 2016

 

% of Shares Offered - Total Fund

   

5.00

%

   

5.00

%

   

5.00

%

   

5.00

%

Number of Shares Offered - Total Fund

   

67,010

     

88,582

     

110,859

     

137,910

 

Pricing Date Net Asset Value - Class A

 

$

10.36

   

$

11.15

   

$

11.44

   

$

11.55

 

Pricing Date Net Asset Value - Class C

 

Not Applicable

   

$

11.14

   

$

11.40

   

$

11.49

 

Number of Shares Tendered - Class A

   

8,562

     

31,158

     

5,151

     

32,217

 

Number of Shares Tendered - Class C

 

Not Applicable

     

     

     

1,741

 

% of Shares Tendered - Total Fund

   

0.64

%

   

1.76

%

   

0.23

%

   

1.23

%

 

7. INVESTMENT IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES

 

Restricted securities include securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and securities that are subject to restrictions on resale. The Fund may invest in restricted securities that are consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and investment strategies. Investments in restricted securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. It is possible that the estimated value may differ significantly from the amount that might ultimately be realized in the near term, and the difference could be material.

 

26

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

Additional information on each illiquid restricted security held by the Fund at December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

Security

Initial
Acquisition Date

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Value

   

% of
Net Assets

 

ARC Property Trust, Inc.

June 30, 2016

   

95,075

   

$

1,140,145

   

$

1,348,168

     

3.68

%

Atlas Fintech Holdings Corp.

December 20, 2016

   

50

     

500,000

     

500,000

     

1.37

%

Behringer Harvard Opportunity

February 17, 2015

   

111,521

     

237,920

     

399,245

     

1.09

%

Casillas Petroleum Resource Partners, LLC

October 11, 2016

   

857

     

856,834

     

856,834

     

2.34

%

CION Investment Corp.

November 16, 2015

   

23,217

     

210,000

     

210,116

     

0.57

%

Clear Guide Medical, Inc.

April 19, 2016

   

2,500

     

2,255,073

     

2,989,100

     

8.16

%

CNL Lifestyle Properties

February 2, 2015

   

135,025

     

334,162

     

283,553

     

0.77

%

Corporate Capital Trust, Inc.

October 30, 2015

   

22,462

     

210,026

     

201,481

     

0.55

%

Cottonwood Residential, Inc.

February 17, 2015

   

101,470

     

1,518,979

     

1,738,181

     

4.74

%

Direct Lending Income Fund LP

April 29, 2016

   

925,000

     

925,000

     

971,116

     

2.65

%

Dividend Capital Diversified

June 2, 2015

   

18,060

     

106,315

     

136,718

     

0.37

%

Dunn-WMA LP

September 29, 2016

   

500,000

     

500,000

     

432,192

     

1.18

%

Fort Global Offshore Fund, SPC

September 29, 2016

   

900

     

900,000

     

853,248

     

2.33

%

Franklin Square Energy & Power Fund

April 19, 2016

   

95,638

     

643,848

     

718,716

     

1.96

%

GPB Automotive Portfolio LP

March 13, 2015

   

10

     

500,000

     

500,695

     

1.37

%

Highland REIT, Inc.

April 28, 2016

   

136,771

     

34,827

     

47,870

     

0.13

%

HMS Income Fund, Inc.

November 11, 2015

   

18,605

     

159,994

     

149,767

     

0.41

%

Inventrust Properties Corp.

March 2, 2015

   

153,283

     

369,386

     

481,309

     

1.31

%

Kayne Anderson Energy Fund VII

September 12, 2016

   

1,200,000

     

1,226,361

     

1,544,798

     

4.22

%

KBS REIT II, Inc.

March 12, 2015

   

102,130

     

288,472

     

372,776

     

1.02

%

PCG Select Series I LLC - Series A Preferred Stock

June 23, 2016

   

800

     

800,000

     

816,359

     

2.23

%

Phillips Edison Grocery Center

February 3, 2016

   

3,330

     

28,374

     

33,964

     

0.09

%

Shopoff Land Fund III LP

April 28, 2015

   

56

     

50,680

     

50,680

     

0.14

%

Stonehill Strategic Hotel Credit Opportunity Fund II LP

July 18, 2016

   

1,000,000

     

1,000,000

     

1,000,000

     

2.73

%

Tout, Inc. - Series C Preferred Stock

June 2, 2016

   

337,207

     

1,100,000

     

1,099,998

     

3.00

%

Uniprop Manufactured Housing Communities Income Fund II

August 31, 2015

   

1,725

     

14,801

     

21,286

     

0.06

%

             

$

15,911,197

   

$

17,758,170

         

 

27

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
December 31, 2016

 

8. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATED ISSUERS

 

An affiliated issuer is an entity in which the Fund has ownership of at least 5% of the voting securities. Issuers that are affiliates of the Fund at period-end are noted in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. Additional security purchases and the reduction of certain security shares outstanding of existing portfolio holdings that were not considered affiliated in prior years may result in the Fund owning in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares at period-end. The table below reflects transactions during the period with entities that are affiliates as of December 31, 2016 and may include acquisitions of new investments, prior year holdings that became affiliated during the period and prior period affiliated holdings that are no longer affiliated as of period-end.

 

Security Description

 

Value Beginning
of Period

   

Purchases

   

Sales Proceeds

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

Value End
of Period

   

Dividends Credited
to Income

 

Clear Guide Medical, Inc.

 

$

   

$

2,255,073

   

$

   

$

734,027

   

$

   

$

2,989,100

   

$

 

PCG Select Series I LLC - Series A Preferred Stock

   

     

800,000

     

     

16,359

     

     

816,359

     

28,526

 
   

$

   

$

3,055,073

   

$

   

$

750,386

   

$

   

$

3,805,459

   

$

28,526

 

 

9. OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Class A shares are offered subject to a maximum sales charge of 6.00% of the offering price, while Class C shares are not subject to sales loads but are subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charges on shares redeemed during the first 365 days after purchase. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the various broker dealers received $179,294 in underwriting commissions for sales of shares, of which $39,647 was retained by the principal underwriter or other affiliated broker-dealers. For the year ended December 31, 2016, contingent deferred sales charges in the amount of $194 were applied to Class C shareholders.

 

10. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

 

In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the “final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is August 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the amendments to Regulation S-X may have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.

 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

 

The Fund completed a quarterly repurchase offer on February 1, 2017. 42,412 shares of Class A and 5,596 shares of Class C were tendered, constituting 1.45% of the outstanding shares of the fund on the Repurchase Pricing Date.

 

Management has concluded that there are no outstanding circumstances requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

28

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees and the Shareholders of
Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund, (the “Fund”) including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the period from January 2, 2015 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2015. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and other appropriate parties. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As explained in Note 7, the financial statements include investments valued at $17,758,170 (48% of net assets), whose fair values have been estimated under procedures established by the Board of Trustees in the absence of readily ascertainable fair values.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund as of December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the year then ended and the period from January 2, 2015 through December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

 

BBD, LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2017

 

29

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Trustees and Officers
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Following is a list of the trustees of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years.

 

Independent Trustees

Name, Age,
Address*

Position/Term
of Office**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen in Fund Complex***

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee During Last 5 Years

Anthony Lewis,
Age 70

Trustee, Since December 2013

Chairman and CEO of The Lewis Group USA (executive consulting firm)

1

Director, Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and Member of the Audit Committee, Torotel Inc. (Magnetics, Aerospace and Defense); Trustee, Northern Lights Fund Trust II (mutual fund complex)

R. Martel Day,
Age 67

Trustee, Since December 2013

Principal of NLR Advisory Services, LLC (since 2013); Manager and CEO (2013) and Manager and President (2009-2013) of Independence Realty Securities, LLC; Manager and President of Independence Realty Advisor, LLC (2009-2013); Executive Vice President of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (2009-2013); Manager and President of Independence Mortgage Advisor, LLC (2011-2013); Executive Vice President of Independence Mortgage Trust, Inc. (2011-2013); Executive Vice President - Director of Business Development of Inland Securities Corporation (2005-2009)

1

Director, and Member of the Audit Committee, Jones Lang LaSalle Income Property Trust; Director, Inland Bancorp, Inc.; Former Director and Past Chairman, Investment Program Association; Director, SFA Holdings

Randall D. Fretz,
Age 64

Trustee, Since December 2013

Consultant/Chief of Staff, Kids II (design/manufacture children’s products)(since 2014); Senior Vice President (2003-2014) and Corporate Secretary (2013-2014) of Columbia Property Trust (NYSE: CXP); Senior Vice President (2005-2013) and Assistant Secretary (2010-2013) of Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. (now known as CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CTT); Senior Vice President of Wells Core Office Income REIT, Inc. (2007 – 2013)

1

None

 

30

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Trustees and Officers - Continued
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Interested Trustees and Officers

Name, Age,
Address*

Position/Term
of Office**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen in Fund Complex***

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee During Last 5 Years

Daniel Wildermuth^,
Age 53

Trustee, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

President and CEO, Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from 2013 to present; CEO, Kalos Capital and associated Kalos companies from 2001 to present; CEO, Wildermuth Asset Management from 2016 to present.

1

None

Carol Wildermuth^,
Age 52

Trustee and Executive Vice President

CFO, Wildermuth Advisory 2016 to present; President, Kalos Financial, 2016 to present; COO, Kalos Financial from 2001 to present; COO, Kalos Management from 2004 to present; COO, Wildermuth Asset Management, 2016 to present; COO, Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from 2013 to 2016; COO, Kalos Capital, from 1997 to 2016.

1

None

Gerard Scarpati,
Age 61

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (an investment management services company) from February 2010 to present; Independent Consultant to the Securities Industry from 2004 to February 2010

N/A

N/A

Robert Amweg,
Age 63

Chief Compliance Officer

Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (an investment management services company) from August 2013 to present; Consultant to the financial services industry from September 2012 to present; and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP from February 2007 to August 2012

N/A

N/A

Candice Lightfoot^,
Age 35

Secretary

COO, Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from Dec 2016 to present; Vice President of Operations from 2015 to 2016; Operations Manager from 2013 to 2015; Project Manager, Kalos Financial, Kalos Capital & Kalos Management from 2012 to 2016; Client Services Manager, Hansch Financial Group from 2009 to 2012.

N/A

N/A

 

31

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Trustees and Officers - Continued
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Interested Trustees and Officers (continued)

Name, Age,
Address*

Position/Term
of Office**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen in Fund Complex***

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee During Last 5 Years

Amanda Coetzee^,
Age 56

Assistant Secretary

Chief Compliance Officer, Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from 2013 to present; Assistant Portfolio Manager, Kalos Management from 2003 to 2013

N/A

N/A

 

*

The address for the trustee and officer listed is 11525 Park Woods Circle, Ste. 200, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005-2422.

 

**

The term of office for each trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely.

 

***

The term “Fund Complex” refers to all present and future funds advised by Wildermuth Advisory, LLC.

 

^

“Interested persons” of the Trust as that term is defined under the 1940 Act because of their affiliation with Wildermuth Advisory, LLC, the Fund’s Adviser.

 

32

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Additional Information
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Policy — Information regarding how the Fund votes proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent period ended June 30, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund used to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-889-8981 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov. A description of the policies and procedures is also included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Portfolio Holdings — The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (1-800-SEC-0330). The information on Form N-Q is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-889-8981

 

Renewal of the Management Agreement:

 

The Adviser manages and oversees the Fund’s investment program pursuant to a Management Agreement. At a meeting of the Fund’s Board of Trustees on November 9, 2016, the Trustees approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for a one-year term. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Trustees reviewed such information and considered such factors as they deemed relevant, including the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund; the investment performance of the Fund; the costs of services provided to the Fund; the profits to be realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationship; and the extent to which economies of scale can and/or will benefit shareholders.

 

At the meeting, the Trustees reviewed various materials, including the Adviser’s responses to a questionnaire sent on behalf of the Board. This information included the Management Agreement, the Adviser’s Form ADV, a description of the firm and its organizational and management structure, its history and the manner in which investment decisions are made and executed, the financial condition of the Adviser and its ability to provide the services required under the Management Agreement, an overview of the personnel that perform services for the Fund, the Adviser’s compliance policies, and its regulatory history.

 

The Adviser’s response also included information on Fund expenses, including comparative expense ratio information for other investment companies with strategies similar to the Fund. The Trustees also reviewed a memorandum from legal counsel that summarized the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Trustees in considering a one-year renewal of the Management Agreement, including the types of information and factors that should be considered in order to make an informed decision.

 

Services Provided. The Trustees reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant. The Trustees concluded that the Adviser had sufficient quality and depth of personnel, resources, investment methods and compliance policies and procedures required to perform its duties under the Management Agreement and that the Adviser may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Management Agreement with respect to the Fund.

 

Performance. The Board reviewed information provided by the Adviser relating to the Fund’s performance since inception as compared to its benchmark as well as a group of comparable funds. The Trustees noted that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the since inception period ended September 30, 2016 and had generally outperformed its peer group for the one year and since inception periods ended October 31, 2016. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in determining a peer group for the Fund in light of its relatively unique asset classes and structure. After further discussion, the Board concluded that the Fund’s past performance was acceptable.

 

Fees and Expenses. The Board discussed the fee level set by the Management Agreement and the Fund’s total operating expenses as compared to a peer group prepared by the Adviser. The Board noted that its advisory fee was generally within the range of those in its peer group although on the higher end. The Board also noted the Adviser’s commitment to renew the current expense limitation agreement, under which the Adviser had agreed to waive or limit its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit net annual operating expenses, exclusive of certain fees, so as not to exceed 2.50% and 3.25%, of Fund’s average net assets for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, until at least March 31, 2018. The Board concluded that, based on Adviser’s experience, expertise and services provided to Fund and the unique nature of the Fund’s strategy, the advisory fee charged by the Adviser, although on the higher end of the Fund’s peers, was reasonable. The Board also noted that the Adviser does not expect to receive additional “fall-out” benefits beyond advisory fees for the foreseeable future.

 

33

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Additional Information - Continued
December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Profitability. The Board considered the level of profits accrued and that could be expected to accrue to the Adviser with respect to the Fund based on the profitability analysis and selected financial information provided by the Adviser. The Board considered the advisory fees paid to the Adviser under the Management Agreement for a twelve month period ended September 30, 2016, and noted that the Adviser had not realized any positive revenues, much less any profit, from the Fund since its inception. The Board discussed the services provided by the Adviser and the Adviser’s commitment to the Fund and concluded that profits realized from the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund were not excessive.

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered the extent to which the Fund will realize economies of scale as it grows, and whether the fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of investors. The Board discussed the current size of the Fund and the Adviser’s expectations for growth thereof, and concluded that any material economies of scale would not be achieved in the near term.

 

Based upon all of the foregoing considerations, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for the Fund.

 

34

 


Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

 

Privacy Policy

 

1.

POLICY

 

Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy notice, which is required by state and federal law, explains the Fund’s privacy policy (the “Policy”). This Policy’s terms apply both to our current shareholders and to former shareholders as well.

 

2.

HOW WE PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION

 

We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

 

3.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT

 

The Fund may collect nonpublic personal information regarding investors from sources such as the following:

 

 

Account Applications and other forms, which may include a shareholder’s name, address, social security number and/or personally identifiable financial information;

 

 

Account History, including information about a shareholder’s losses or gains; and

 

 

Correspondence and Communication, with the Fund’s representatives and their affiliates.

 

4.

WHO HAS ACCESS TO SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to provide services to shareholders (for example, to a transfer agent, investment adviser or third party administrator). We restrict access to non-public personal information about our shareholders to Fund personnel and employees of Fund service providers with a legitimate business need for the information. We will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our shareholders.

 

Third parties that handle this information shall agree to follow the standards the Fund has established.

 

5.

UPDATING YOUR INFORMATION

 

To help us keep your information up-to-date and accurate, please contact the Fund if there is any change in your personal information.

 

Adopted December 2013

 

35

 


 

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 


Investment Adviser

 

Wildermuth Advisory, LLC
11525 Park Woods Circle, Ste. 200
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005

 

Distributor

 

SQN Securities, LLC
100 Wall Street, 28th Floor
New York, New York 10005

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of shareholders and are not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus. Nothing herein contained is to be considered an offer of sale or solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund. Such offering is made only by prospectus, which includes details as to offering price and other material information.

 

Distributed by SQN Securities, LLC
Member FINRA



Item 2.  Code of Ethics.
(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code”), as that term is defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party. A copy of the Code is attached as an exhibit.
 
(c) There have been no substantive amendments during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial offer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party.
 
(d) The Registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial offer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party.

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.
(a) (1) The Board of Trustees of the Registrant (the “Board”) has determined that the Registrant has at least one Board member serving on the Audit Committee that possesses the attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert.”
     
(2) Randall D. Fretz is the Registrant’s audit committee financial expert and is “independent” for purposes of Item 3(a)(2) to Form N-CSR.

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The aggregate fees for professional services by BBD, LLP during the fiscal year 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

(a) Audit Fees.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016:
$20,400
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
$17,000

(b) Audit-Related Fees.  The fees for professional services performed were in connection with the audit of the seed financial statements of the Registrant.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016:
$0
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
$2,000

(c) Tax Fees. These are fees billed for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s independent auditors for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
$2,000
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
$2,000

(d) All Other Fees.
 
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
$0
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
$0


(e) Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures.

(1)
The Registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted, and the Registrant’s Board has approved an Audit and Non-Audit Services Preapproval Policy (the “Policy”), which is intended to comply with Regulation S-X Rule 2-01, and sets forth guidelines and procedures to be followed by the Registrant when retaining the Auditor to perform audit-related services, tax services and other non-audit services. The Policy permits such services to be pre-approved in one of two ways: (1) pursuant to a general pre-approval (“General Pre-Approval”), or (2) pursuant to specific pre-approval (“Specific Pre- Approval”). Unless a type of service provided by the Auditor and the maximum estimated fees therefor has received General Pre-Approval, it will require Specific Pre-Approval by the Audit Committee.

(2)
Services approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X: 100% of these fees were approved by the Audit Committee as required pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) None.

(g) During the last two fiscal years, there were no other non-audit services rendered by the Registrant’s independent auditors to the Registrant, its investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under the common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

(h) Not applicable.

Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.

Included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

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

The Registrant’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is attached hereto as Exhibit 12(c).

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

(a)(1)  Identification of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members and Description of Role of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members

The following tables provide biographical information about the portfolio managers who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Registrant as of December 31, 2016:


The Investment Adviser (Wildermuth Advisory, LLC)

Portfolio Manager
Title
Length of Time of Service to Registrant
Business Experience During the Past 5 Years
Role of Portfolio Manager
Daniel Wildermuth
Trustee, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Since September 2013
Mr. Wildermuth has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) for
the past 13 years, Mr. Wildermuth has created and managed multiple domestic and international equity and fixed income investment portfolios.
As CIO of an advisory firm and Chief Executive Officer of a brokerage firm, Mr. Wildermuth has analyzed and invested in securities and has
also completed due diligence and made investment recommendations on various alternative investments, but he has no prior experience
managing a publicly registered, closed-end fund. Mr. Wildermuth received a B.S. in engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. in
Finance from the Anderson School at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Daniel Wildermuth serves as the Portfolio Manager of the Fund, with primary responsibility for overseeing the overall allocation of the
Fund’s portfolio.
 

(a)(2)  Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Member and Potential Conflicts of Interest

The following tables provide information about portfolios and accounts, other than the Registrant, for which the portfolio managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of December 31, 2016:

The Investment Adviser (Wildermuth Advisory, LLC)

Name
Type of Accounts
Total Number of Accounts Managed
Total Assets
Number of Accounts Managed for Which Advisory Fees is Based on Performance
Total Assets for Which Advisory Fees is Based on Performance
 
Daniel Wildermuth
Registered Investment Companies
Zero Zero Zero Zero
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Zero Zero Zero Zero 
Other Accounts
880 $119,893,559 Zero Zero


Potential Conflicts of Interests

The Investment Adviser (Wildermuth Advisory, LLC)
Daniel Wildermuth is responsible for managing other accounts, including registered investment companies, separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles.  He may manage separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles that may have materially higher, lower or different fee arrangements than the Registrant and may in the future also be subject to performance-based fees.  The side-by-side management of these separate accounts and/or pooled investment vehicles may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross trading and the allocation of investment opportunities. The investment adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner.  The investment adviser seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to allocate investments to client accounts in a fair and timely manner.  To this end, the investment adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management.

(a)(3) Compensation Structure of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members

The portfolio managers receive a salary, retirement plan benefits and discretionary bonuses from the investment adviser and/or the sub-adviser, as applicable.

(a)(4) Disclosure of Securities Ownership

The following tables set forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio manager in the Registrant as of December 31, 2016:
 
Portfolio Manager
Dollar Range of Registrant Shares Beneficially Owned
Daniel Wildermuth
$500,001 - $1,000,000 through Wildermuth Advisory, LLC

(b) Not applicable.



Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
 
Class A*:
                   
Period
 
(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
(b) Average Price Paid per Share (of Unit)
   
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
Jan. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Feb. 1-29, 2016
   
8,562
   
$
10.36
     
0
     
0
 
Mar. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Apr. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
May. 1-31, 2016
   
31,158
   
$
11.15
     
0
     
0
 
Jun. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Jul. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Aug. 1-31, 2016
   
5,151
   
$
11.44
     
0
     
0
 
Sep. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Oct. 1-31, 2016
   
32,217
   
$
11.55
     
0
     
0
 
Nov. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Dec. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Total
   
77,088
   
$
11.25
     
0
     
0
 
 
Class C*:
                   
Period
 
(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
(b) Average Price Paid per Share (of Unit)
   
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
Jan. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Feb. 1-29, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Mar. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Apr. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
May. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Jun. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Jul. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Aug. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Sep. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Oct. 1-31, 2016
   
1,741
   
$
11.49
     
0
     
0
 
Nov. 1-30, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Dec. 1-31, 2016
   
0
     
0
     
0
     
0
 
Total
   
1,741
   
$
11.49
     
0
     
0
 
 
*
On February 1, 2016, May 2, 2016, August 1, 2016, and October 31, 2016 the Registrant offered to repurchase up to 5% of the Registrant’s total outstanding shares, or 67,010, 88,582, 110,859, and 137,910 shares, respectively, pursuant to its periodic repurchase plan.
 

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

Not applicable.

Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)
The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report was appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service providers.

(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 12.  Exhibits.

(a) (1)
Code of Ethics.  Filed herewith.

(a) (2)
Certifications required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.

(a) (3)
Not applicable.

(b)
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.
   
(c)
The Registrant’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is attached hereto in response to Item 7.


SIGNATURES

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

Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

/s/ Daniel Wildermuth  
By: Daniel Wildermuth
 
Trustee, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 9, 2017
 

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

/s/ Daniel Wildermuth  
By: Daniel Wildermuth
 
Trustee, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 9, 2017
 

/s/ Gerard Scarpati  
By: Gerard Scarpati
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
March 9, 2017