485APOS 1 fp0066315_485apos.htm

AS FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 16, 2021

 

File No. 333-192858

File No. 811-22920

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

  POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 293 /X/

AND

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

  AMENDMENT NO. 297 /X/

 

THE ADVISORS' INNER CIRCLE FUND III

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

 

(800) 932-7781

(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 

Michael Beattie

c/o SEI Investments

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copy to:

 

Sean Graber, Esquire
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

 

It is proposed that this filing become effective (check appropriate box)

  /  / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)  
  /  / On [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)  
  /  / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)  
  /X/ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)  
  /  / On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485  

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED

 

Preliminary Prospectus Dated June 16, 2021

 

THE ADVISORS’ INNER CIRCLE FUND III

 

PROSPECTUS

 

[Date]

 

NINETY ONE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND

I Shares: [XX]

A Shares: [XX]

 

NINETY ONE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE FUND

I Shares: [XX]

A Shares: [XX]

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER:

NINETY ONE NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

About This Prospectus

 

This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. For detailed information about each Fund, please see:

  Page
NINETY ONE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND XX
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE XX
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES XX
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES XX
PRINCIPAL RISKS XX
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION XX
INVESTMENT ADVISER XX
PORTFOLIO MANAGER XX
NINETY ONE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE FUND XX
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE XX
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES XX
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES XX
PRINCIPAL RISKS XX
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION XX
INVESTMENT ADVISER XX
PORTFOLIO MANAGER XX
SUMMARY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES, TAXES AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY COMPENSATION XX

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

XX
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK XX
INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS XX
INVESTMENT ADVISER XX
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS XX
NINETY ONE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND - RELATED PERFORMANCE DATA XX
NINETY ONE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE FUND - RELATED PERFORMANCE DATA XX
PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES XX
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES XX
OTHER POLICIES XX
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS XX
TAXES XX
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION XX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS XX
HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS Back Cover

 

 

 

NINETY ONE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Ninety One Global Environment Fund (the “Fund”) seeks capital growth and long-term income.

 

Fund Fees and Expenses

 

These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold I Shares or A Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in I Shares, which are not reflected in the "Annual Fund Operating Expenses" table or the Example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in A Shares of the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available (i) from your financial professional and (ii) in the “Purchasing, Selling and Exchanging Fund Shares – Sales Charges” section on page [XX] of this prospectus.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investments)

  A Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75%

 

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

  I Shares A Shares
Management Fees 0.75% 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees None 0.25%
Other Expenses1 0.99% 0.99%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.74% 1.99%
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 (0.84)% (0.84)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements 0.90% 1.15%

 

1Other Operating Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2Ninety One North America, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “Ninety One NA”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs and expenses relating to the securities that are purchased and sold by the Fund, 12b-1 Fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other non-routine expenses, such as litigation (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.90% of the average daily net assets of each of the Fund’s share classes until February 28, 2023 (the “contractual expense limit”). In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the contractual expense limit (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This agreement will terminate automatically upon the termination of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement and may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on February 28, 2023.

 

1 

 

Example

 

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

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses (including capped expenses for the period described in the footnote to the fee table) remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

  1 Year 3 Years
I Shares $92 $466
A Shares $685 $1,087

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, it does not have portfolio turnover information to report.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in “environmental companies” (as defined below). This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders.

 

For purposes of the Fund's investment policy, the Adviser considers an environmental company to be one that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue from activities deemed by the Adviser to contribute positively to environmental change; and (ii) is involved in the process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions (a company that offers “quantifiable carbon avoided”) (an “Environmental Company”). Such Environmental Companies are involved in activities related to the process of sustainable decarbonization, which may include, but are not limited to, (i) renewable energy in such forms as solar, wind, clean power, smart grids and networks; (ii) electrification through electric or autonomous vehicles, heating and cooling and industrial electrification; and (iii) resource efficiency in industries including waste management, construction, agriculture, consumer products and factories. The Adviser may identify other sectors that it considers qualifying as environmental activities.

 

The Fund normally invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. (including both developed and emerging market) companies. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are mainly common stocks, but may also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs” and, together with ADRs and EDRs, “Depositary Receipts”).

 

The Fund may invest a significant amount of its assets in a select geographic region or a particular country, such as the People’s Republic of China (“China”). The Fund may invest in A Shares of companies incorporated in China (“China A Shares”) that trade on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange through the Shanghai – Hong Kong and Shenzhen – Hong Kong Stock Connect programs (“Stock Connect”). Stock Connect is a mutual stock market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investments in China. The Fund may also invest in China through H Shares, which are shares of companies incorporated in China that are traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Adviser has obtained Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“RQFII”) status and has been granted the quota to invest in Chinese domestic securities, so it may also invest the Fund’s assets directly in Chinese domestic securities available only to foreign investors that have obtained status as an RQFII.

 

2 

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in at least three countries, including the U.S., and invests at least 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies. If conditions are not favorable, the Fund will invest at least 30% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund considers a company to be a non-U.S. company if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets are located outside of the U.S.; (ii) at least 50% of the company’s revenue is generated outside of the U.S.; (iii) the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business outside of the U.S.; or (iv) the company’s securities are traded principally outside of the U.S.

 

The Fund has a fundamental policy to concentrate its investments in “climate change-related industries.” The Fund considers “climate change-related industries” to include renewable energy, electrification and resource efficiency and any of their sub-industries, such as, but not limited to, solar energy, electric vehicles or waste management and businesses that service such industries.

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through an integrated investment approach. In identifying companies to be included in the Fund’s investable universe, the Adviser seeks to create an investment portfolio that accurately reflects the opportunities available for the Fund. The Adviser undertakes a bottom-up investment process involving research into companies exhibiting (i) structural growth opportunities by reviewing both short- and long-term revenue; (ii) sustainable or persistent returns; and (iii) competitive advantages relative to their peers both through (a) company factors, including technology, branding, and investments in research and development, and (b) market factors, such as pricing power, barriers to entry and consumer behaviors and preferences with respect to environmental issues. The Adviser uses this research, as well as a company’s balance sheet and discussion with management to determine a company’s suitability for inclusion in the Fund's investable universe.

 

The Adviser integrates proprietary environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors into the Fund’s investment process, which include the (i) inclusion of Environmental Companies with the exclusion of those with revenues from oil, gas and coal that exceed 5%; (ii) use of both quantitative and qualitative assessment of ESG risks through proprietary scores and underlying research; and (iii) monitoring of ESG considerations as part of the review of company management. In addition, any deterioration in the ESG assessment of a held company will be factored into any decision to sell such security.

 

The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means that it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

Principal Risks

 

As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund (in alphabetical order after the first five risks) are set forth below.

 

3 

 

Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices may fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Common stock is generally subordinate to preferred stock and debt securities with respect to the payment of dividends and upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

 

Non-Diversification Risk – The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent that the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

 

Climate Change Focused Investment Risk –  Because the Fund focuses its investments in securities of companies involved in climate change-related industries, the Fund will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting these companies, and the market prices of its portfolio securities may be more volatile than those of funds that are more diversified. Some companies involved in climate change-related industries have more limited operating histories and smaller market capitalizations on average than companies in other sectors. In addition, the Fund is particularly susceptible to changes in global and regional climates, environmental protection regulatory actions, changes in government standards and subsidy levels, changes in taxation and other domestic and international political, regulatory and economic developments.

 

Active Management Risk – The Fund is subject to the risk that the Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value, or potential appreciation of the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect. If the investments selected and strategies employed by the Fund fail to produce the intended results, the Fund could underperform in comparison to its benchmark index or other funds with similar objectives and investment strategies.

 

Risk of Investing in China – The Chinese economy is generally considered an emerging market and can be significantly affected by economic and political conditions and policy in China and surrounding Asian countries. A relatively small number of Chinese companies represents a large portion of China’s total market and thus may be more sensitive to adverse political or economic circumstances and market movements. The economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. Under China’s political and economic system, the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership. In addition, expropriation, including nationalization, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or other developments could adversely affect and significantly diminish the values of the Chinese companies in which the Fund invests. The Fund may invest in shares of Chinese companies traded on stock markets in China or Hong Kong. These stock markets have recently experienced high levels of volatility, which may continue in the future. The Hong Kong stock market may behave differently from the China stock markets and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the China stock markets.

 

4 

 

Sustainable Investment Risk – The Fund follows a sustainable investment approach by investing in companies that relate to certain sustainable development themes and demonstrate adherence to ESG practices. Accordingly, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting similar business or business within the same economic sector. Additionally, due to its sustainability focus, the Fund may not be invested in certain industries or sectors. As a result, the Fund may be overweight or underweight in certain industries or sectors relative to its benchmark index, which may cause the Fund’s performance to be more or less sensitive to developments affecting those sectors.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk – Investments in Depositary Receipts may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying securities in their primary trading market. If a Depositary Receipt is denominated in a different currency than its underlying securities, the Fund will be subject to the currency risk of both the investment in the Depositary Receipt and the underlying security. Holders of Depositary Receipts may have limited or no rights to take action with respect to the underlying securities or to compel the issuer of the receipts to take action. The prices of Depositary Receipts may differ from the prices of securities upon which they are based.

 

Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.

 

ESG Criteria Risk – Because the Fund’s ESG criteria excludes securities of certain issuers for nonfinancial reasons, the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use these criteria. Securities of companies with ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG criteria.

 

Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and investments through Depositary Receipts, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the same level of regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers and foreign markets and securities may be less liquid. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While Depositary Receipts provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in Depositary Receipts continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

 

5 

 

Foreign Currency Risk – Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case the dollar value of the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, would be adversely affected.

 

Geographic Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular country or geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that country or geographic region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.

 

New Fund Risk – Because the Fund is new, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, may not employ a successful investment strategy, or may fail to attract sufficient assets under management to realize economies of scale, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders and will cause shareholders to incur expenses of liquidation.

 

RQFII Risk – The Fund intends to invest directly in A-Shares through the Adviser’s RQFII quota. If the Adviser’s RQFII quota was, or RQFII quotas generally were, reduced or eliminated, the Fund could be required to dispose of a portion of its A-Shares holdings. This could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance and its ability to meet its investment objective.

 

Stock Connect Investing Risk – Trading through Stock Connect is subject to a number of restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. For example, trading through Stock Connect is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, which may restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to invest in China A Shares through Stock Connect. In addition, investments made through Stock Connect are subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that are relatively untested, which could pose risks to the Fund. Moreover, China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connect in accordance with applicable rules. A primary feature of Stock Connect is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A Shares. Therefore, the Fund’s investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. While overseas investors currently are exempt from paying capital gains or value added taxes on income and gains from investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect, these tax rules could be changed, which could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the China and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when the Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations of China A Shares during the time when Stock Connect is not trading. Stock Connect is a relatively new program. Further developments are likely and there can be no assurance as to the program’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns. In addition, the application and interpretation of the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and China, and the rules, policies or guidelines published or applied by relevant regulators and exchanges in respect of Stock Connect are uncertain, and they may have a detrimental effect on the Fund’s investments and returns.

 

6 

 

Performance Information

 

The Fund is new, and therefore has no performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance. Of course, the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.ninetyone.com or by calling toll-free to 1-844-426-8721.

 

Investment Adviser

 

Ninety One North America, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “Ninety One NA”)

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Deirdre Cooper, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One UK Ltd. (“Ninety One UK”), an affiliate of Ninety One NA, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.

 

Graeme Baker, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One UK, an affiliate of Ninety One NA, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.

 

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” on page [XX] of the prospectus.

 

7 

 

NINETY ONE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Ninety One International Franchise Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital growth.

 

Fund Fees and Expenses

 

These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold I Shares or A Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in I Shares, which are not reflected in the "Annual Fund Operating Expenses" table or the Example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in A Shares of the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available (i) from your financial professional and (ii) in the “Purchasing, Selling and Exchanging Fund Shares – Sales Charges” section on page [XX] of this prospectus.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investments)

 

  A Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75%

 

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

 

  I Shares A Shares
Management Fees 0.75% 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees None 0.25%
Other Expenses1 1.20% 1.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.95% 2.20%
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 (1.10)% (1.10)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements 0.85% 1.10%

 

1Other Operating Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2Ninety One North America, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “Ninety One NA”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs and expenses relating to the securities that are purchased and sold by the Fund, 12b-1 Fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other non-routine expenses, such as litigation (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.85% of the average daily net assets of each of the Fund’s share classes until February 28, 2023 (the “contractual expense limit”). In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the contractual expense limit (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This agreement will terminate automatically upon the termination of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement and may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on February 28, 2023.

 

8 

 

Example

 

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

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses (including capped expenses for the period described in the footnote to the fee table) remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

  1 Year 3 Years
I Shares $87 $505
A Shares $681 $1,124

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, it does not have portfolio turnover information to report.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. companies located throughout the world that the Adviser believes have rare and exceptional qualities that create enduring competitive advantages and strong international brands or franchises. The Fund may invest in companies located in both developed and emerging market countries.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests in at least three countries, and invests at least 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies. If conditions are not favorable, the Fund will invest at least 30% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund considers a company to be a non-U.S. company if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets are located outside of the U.S.; (ii) at least 50% of the company’s revenue is generated outside of the U.S.; (iii) the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business outside of the U.S.; or (iv) the company’s securities are traded principally outside of the U.S.

 

The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, but may also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs” and, together with ADRs and EDRs, “Depositary Receipts”). Although the Fund may invest in securities of companies with any market capitalization, the Fund generally invests in medium and large capitalization companies. The Fund typically invests in securities of approximately 25-50 companies.

 

9 

 

From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its assets in a particular country, such as the People’s Republic of China (“China”). The Fund may invest in A Shares of companies incorporated in China (“China A Shares”) that trade on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange through the Shanghai – Hong Kong and Shenzhen – Hong Kong Stock Connect programs (“Stock Connect”). Stock Connect is a mutual stock market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investments in China. The Fund may also invest in China through H Shares, which are shares of companies incorporated in China that are traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

 

In selecting investments to buy for the Fund, the Adviser combines a systematic screening process with fundamental research to seek to identify attractively valued companies with what it believes are the best combination of quality, growth and valuation. The Adviser seeks to maintain a portfolio with consistent long-term returns at below average levels of risk. The Adviser will consider whether to sell an investment using the same systematic model it uses to identify potential purchases. The Adviser may sell a security for a variety of reasons such as because it becomes overvalued or shows deteriorating fundamentals, or to invest in a company believed by the Adviser to offer superior investment opportunities.

 

The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means that it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

Principal Risks

 

As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

 

Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices may fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Common stock is generally subordinate to preferred stock and debt securities with respect to the payment of dividends and upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

 

Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the same level of regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers and foreign markets and securities may be less liquid. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large-capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.

 

Foreign Currency Risk – Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case the dollar value of the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, would be adversely affected.

 

Non-Diversification Risk – The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent that the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

 

Active Management Risk – The Fund is subject to the risk that the Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value, or potential appreciation of the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect. If the investments selected and strategies employed by the Fund fail to produce the intended results, the Fund could underperform in comparison to its benchmark index or other funds with similar objectives and investment strategies.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk – Investments in Depositary Receipts may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying securities in their primary trading market. If a Depositary Receipt is denominated in a different currency than its underlying securities, the Fund will be subject to the currency risk of both the investment in the Depositary Receipt and the underlying security. Holders of Depositary Receipts may have limited or no rights to take action with respect to the underlying securities or to compel the issuer of the receipts to take action. The prices of Depositary Receipts may differ from the prices of securities upon which they are based.

 

Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.

 

Geographic Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular country or geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that country or geographic region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.

 

Medium Capitalization Companies Risk — The risk that medium capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, medium capitalization companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, medium capitalization stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. Medium capitalization stocks may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

 

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New Fund Risk – Because the Fund is new, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, may not employ a successful investment strategy, or may fail to attract sufficient assets under management to realize economies of scale, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders and will cause shareholders to incur expenses of liquidation.

 

Risk of Investing in China – The Chinese economy is generally considered an emerging market and can be significantly affected by economic and political conditions and policy in China and surrounding Asian countries. A relatively small number of Chinese companies represents a large portion of China’s total market and thus may be more sensitive to adverse political or economic circumstances and market movements. The economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. Under China’s political and economic system, the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership. In addition, expropriation, including nationalization, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or other developments could adversely affect and significantly diminish the values of the Chinese companies in which the Fund invests. The Fund may invest in shares of Chinese companies traded on stock markets in China or Hong Kong. These stock markets have recently experienced high levels of volatility, which may continue in the future. The Hong Kong stock market may behave differently from the China stock markets and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the China stock markets.

 

Stock Connect Investing Risk – Trading through Stock Connect is subject to a number of restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. For example, trading through Stock Connect is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, which may restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to invest in China A Shares through Stock Connect. In addition, investments made through Stock Connect are subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that are relatively untested, which could pose risks to the Fund. Moreover, China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connect in accordance with applicable rules. A primary feature of Stock Connect is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A Shares. Therefore, the Fund’s investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. While overseas investors currently are exempt from paying capital gains or value added taxes on income and gains from investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect, these tax rules could be changed, which could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the China and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when the Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations of China A Shares during the time when Stock Connect is not trading. Stock Connect is a relatively new program. Further developments are likely and there can be no assurance as to the program’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns. In addition, the application and interpretation of the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and China, and the rules, policies or guidelines published or applied by relevant regulators and exchanges in respect of Stock Connect are uncertain, and they may have a detrimental effect on the Fund’s investments and returns.

 

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Performance Information

 

The Fund is new, and therefore has no performance history. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance. Of course, the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.ninetyone.com or by calling toll-free to 1-844-426-8721.

 

Investment Adviser

 

Ninety One North America, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “Ninety One NA”)

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Elias Erickson, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One NA, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.

 

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” on page [XX] of the prospectus.

 

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Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

You may generally purchase or redeem shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business.

 

There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount for I Shares or A Shares of a Fund.

 

I Shares of a Fund are offered exclusively to:

Wrap fee based programs and fee based clients of a broker-dealer, an investment adviser or other financial intermediary;
Commissionable brokerage platforms where a financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of the financial intermediary’s customer, charges the customer a transaction-based commission outside the Fund where the broker does not receive compensation from Fund sales charges or Rule 12b-1 fees;
Institutional investors, including corporations; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit, and other employee sponsored retirement and deferred compensation plans; retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment adviser firms; registered investment companies; bank trusts; college savings programs; charitable organizations; financial institutions; pension plans; and family offices;
Eligible employees, which are present or former officers, directors, and employees (and their eligible family members) of the Fund, Ninety One NA, and Ninety One NA’s affiliates, Ninety One NA’s parent company and subsidiaries of Ninety One NA’s parent company, and retirement plans established for the benefit of these individuals; and
I Shares shareholders purchasing I Shares through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions.

 

A Shares of a Fund can generally only be purchased through an account with a broker or other financial intermediary.

 

If you own your shares directly, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Funds directly by mail at: Ninety One Funds, P.O. Box 219009, Kansas City, MO 64121-9009 (Express Mail Address: Ninety One Funds, c/o DST Systems, Inc., 430 West 7th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105) or telephone at 1-844-426-8721.

 

If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other financial intermediary, contact that broker or financial intermediary to redeem your shares. Your broker or financial intermediary may charge a fee for its services in addition to the fees charged by the Funds.

 

Tax Information

 

Each Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, in which case your distribution will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.

 

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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

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More Information about the Funds’ Investment Objectives and Strategies

 

The investment objective of the Global Environment Fund is to seek capital growth and long-term income, and the investment objective of the International Franchise Fund is to seek long-term capital growth. The investment objective of each Fund is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

 

The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that each Fund uses under normal conditions. During current or anticipated unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may, but is not obligated to, invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments and other cash equivalents that would not ordinarily be consistent with its investment objective. If a Fund invests in this manner, it may cause such Fund to forgo greater investment returns for the safety of principal and the Fund may therefore not achieve its investment objective.

 

This prospectus describes each Fund’s principal investment strategies. In addition to the securities and other investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest to a lesser extent in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategies. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) (for information on how to obtain a copy of the SAI see the back cover of this prospectus). Of course, there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its investment goals.

 

More Information about Risk

 

Investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goals. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good of a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with similar investments.

 

The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the value of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. Each Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it may invest a large percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a relatively small number of issuers. Accordingly, each Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting a small number of holdings than a diversified fund.

 

Climate Change Focused Investment Risk  – Because the Ninety One Global Environment Fund focuses its investments in securities of companies involved in climate change-related industries, the Fund will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting these companies, and the market prices of its portfolio securities may be more volatile than those of funds that are more diversified. The Fund is particularly susceptible to changes in global and regional climates, environmental protection regulatory actions, changes in government standards and subsidy levels, changes in taxation and other domestic and international political, regulatory and economic developments.. Because society’s focus on climate change issues is relatively new, the emphasis and direction of governmental policies is subject to significant change, and rapid technological change could render even new approaches and products obsolete. Some companies involved in climate change-related industries have more limited operating histories and smaller market capitalizations on average than companies in other sectors. As a result of these and other factors, the market prices of securities of companies involved in climate change-related industries tend to be considerably more volatile than those of companies in more established sectors and industries.

 

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Depositary Receipts Risk – ADRs are typically trust receipts issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence an indirect interest in underlying securities issued by a foreign entity. GDRs, EDRs, and other types of Depositary Receipts are typically issued by non-U.S. banks or financial institutions to evidence an interest in underlying securities issued by either a U.S. or a non-U.S. entity. Investments in non-U.S. issuers through ADRs, GDRs, EDRs, and other types of Depositary Receipts generally involve risks applicable to other types of investments in non-U.S. issuers. Investments in Depositary Receipts may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying securities in their primary trading market. If a Depositary Receipt is denominated in a different currency than its underlying securities, a Fund will be subject to the currency risk of both the investment in the Depositary Receipt and the underlying security. The values of Depositary Receipts may decline for a number of reasons relating to the issuers or sponsors of the Depositary Receipts, including, but not limited to, insolvency of the issuer or sponsor. Holders of Depositary Receipts may have limited or no rights to take action with respect to the underlying securities or to compel the issuer of the receipts to take action. The prices of Depositary Receipts may differ from the prices of securities upon which they are based.

 

Equity Risk – Equity securities include common and preferred stocks, shares of Depositary Receipts, as well as shares of ETFs that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. Preferred stock provides a fixed dividend that is paid before any dividends are paid to common stock holders, and which takes precedence over common stock in the event of a liquidation. Like common stock, preferred stocks represent partial ownership in a company, although preferred stock shareholders do not enjoy any of the voting rights of common stockholders. Also, unlike common stock, a preferred stock pays a fixed dividend that does not fluctuate, although the company does not have to pay this dividend if it lacks the financial ability to do so. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken worldwide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may be short term or may last for an extended period of time, and in either case could result in a substantial economic downturn or recession. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a Fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.

 

ESG Criteria Risk – The Adviser may consider certain ESG factors as part of its decision to buy and sell securities with respect to the Global Environment Fund. Applying ESG factors to the investment analysis may impact the investment decision for securities of certain issuers and therefore the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use ESG factors. Securities of companies with ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG factors.

 

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Risk of Investing in China – The economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. Under China’s political and economic system, the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership. Since 1978, the Chinese government has been, and is expected to continue, reforming its economic policies, which has resulted in less direct central and local government control over the business and production activities of Chinese enterprises and companies. Notwithstanding the economic reforms instituted by the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China, which could affect the public and private sector companies in which a Fund invests. In the past, the Chinese government has from time to time taken actions that influence the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encourage companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induce mergers between companies in certain industries and induce private companies to publicly offer their securities to increase or continue the rate of economic growth, control the rate of inflation or otherwise regulate economic expansion. It may do so in the future as well. Such actions and a variety of other centrally planned or determined activities by the Chinese government could have a significant adverse effect on economic conditions in China, the economic prospects for, and the market prices and liquidity of, the securities of Chinese companies and the payments of dividends and interest by Chinese companies. In addition, expropriation, including nationalization, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or other developments could adversely affect and significantly diminish the values of the Chinese companies in which a Fund invests. A Fund may invest in shares of Chinese companies traded on stock markets in China or Hong Kong. These stock markets have recently experienced high levels of volatility, which may continue in the future. The Hong Kong stock market may behave differently from the China stock markets and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the China stock markets.

 

RQFII Risk – Each Fund intends to invest directly in A-Shares through the Adviser’s RQFII quota. Therefore, the size of the Fund’s direct investment in A-Shares may be limited by the size of the Adviser’s RQFII quota. This places practical limitations on the size of the Fund and may have a negative impact on trading of Fund shares. In addition, the RQFII quota of the Adviser may be reduced or revoked by the Chinese regulators if, among other things, the Adviser fails to comply with applicable Chinese regulations. If the Adviser’s RQFII quota was, or RQFII quotas generally were, reduced or eliminated, the Fund could be required to dispose of a portion of its A-Shares holdings. This could have a material adverse impact on the Fund’s performance and its ability to meet its investment objective.

 

Stock Connect Investing Risk – Trading through Stock Connect is subject to a number of restrictions that may affect a Fund’s investments and returns. For example, trading through Stock Connect is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, which may restrict or preclude a Fund’s ability to invest in China A Shares through Stock Connect. In addition, investments made through Stock Connect are subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that are relatively untested, which could pose risks to a Fund. Moreover, China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connect in accordance with applicable rules. A primary feature of Stock Connect is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A Shares. Therefore, a Fund’s investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. While overseas investors currently are exempt from paying capital gains or value added taxes on income and gains from investments in China A Shares purchased through Stock Connect, these tax rules could be changed, which could result in unexpected tax liabilities for a Fund. Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the China and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when a Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations of China A Shares during the time when Stock Connect is not trading. Stock Connect is a relatively new program. Further developments are likely and there can be no assurance as to the program’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect a Fund’s investments or returns. In addition, the application and interpretation of the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and China, and the rules, policies or guidelines published or applied by relevant regulators and exchanges in respect of Stock Connect are uncertain, and they may have a detrimental effect on a Fund’s investments and returns.

 

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Fund purchases of China A Shares through Stock Connect involve ownership rights that are exercised differently than those involved in U.S. securities markets. When a Fund buys a Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed or Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed stock through Stock Connect, the Fund is purchasing a security registered under the name of the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”) that acts as a nominee holder for the beneficial owner of the Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed or Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed stock. A Fund as the beneficial owner of the Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed or Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed stock can exercise its rights through its nominee HKSCC. However, due to the indirect nature of holding its ownership interest through a nominee holder, a Fund might encounter difficulty in exercising or timely exercising its rights as the beneficial owner when trading through HKSCC under Stock Connect, and such difficulty may expose a Fund to risk of loss.

 

Foreign Currency Risk – Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, or between various foreign currencies, may negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Adverse changes in exchange rates may erode or reverse any gains produced by foreign-currency denominated investments and may widen any losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and can be affected by, among other factors, the actions or inactions by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls, speculation, or general economic or political developments in the U.S. or a foreign country.

 

Foreign Securities/Emerging Markets Risk – Investments in securities of foreign companies (including direct investments as well as investments through Depositary Receipts) can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign companies. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Financial statements of foreign issuers are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards than the financial statements of U.S. issuers and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Thus, there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers than about most U.S. issuers. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the United States and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising a Fund’s portfolio. These risks may be heightened with respect to emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Additionally, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may result in a Fund having to sell such prohibited securities at inopportune times. Such prohibited securities may have less liquidity as a result of such U.S. Government designation and the market price of such prohibited securities may decline, which may cause the Fund to incur losses.

 

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Sustainable Investment Risk – The Environment Fund follows a sustainable investment approach by investing in companies that relate to certain sustainable development themes and demonstrate adherence to ESG practices. Accordingly, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting similar business or business within the same economic sector. Additionally, due to this sustainability approach, the Fund may not be invested in certain industries or sectors. As a result, the Fund may be overweight or underweight in certain industries or sectors relative to its benchmark index, which may cause the Fund’s performance to be more or less sensitive to developments affecting those sectors. In addition, since ESG investing takes into consideration factors beyond traditional financial analysis, the investment opportunities for the Fund may be limited at times. Further, the regulatory landscape for ESG investing in the United States is still developing and future rules and regulations may require the Fund to modify or alter its investment process. Similarly, government policies incentivizing companies to engage in ESG practices may fall out of favor, which could potentially limit the Fund’s investment universe. There is also a risk that the companies identified through the investment process may fail to adhere to ESG practices, which may cause the Fund to sell a security when it might otherwise be disadvantageous to do so.

 

Information about Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the circumstances under which the Funds disclose their portfolio holdings is available in the SAI. Each Fund will post on the internet at www.ninetyone.com (i) its top 10 holdings within 20 days after the end of each calendar quarter and (ii) its complete holdings within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The portfolio holdings information placed on the Funds’ website generally will remain there until replaced by new postings as described above.

 

Investment Adviser

 

Ninety One North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation organized in 2012, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser’s principal place of business is 65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ninety One International Limited ("Ninety One International"), which is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Ninety One Plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Ninety One Plc is affiliated with Ninety One Limited (“Ninety One Ltd”), a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Ninety One Ltd is the majority owner of Ninety One Africa (Pty) Ltd, which is the parent of Ninety One SA (Pty) Ltd (“Ninety One Pty”). Ninety One UK Ltd. (“Ninety One UK”) is also an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Ninety One Plc. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $31.1 billion in assets under management.

 

The Adviser makes investment decisions for each Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund’s investment program. The Board supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities.

 

In rendering investment advisory services to the Funds, Ninety One NA relies on a dual hatting agreement with certain affiliates, including Ninety One UK, pursuant to which certain employees of such affiliates are permitted to provide portfolio management services to Ninety One NA’s clients (including the Funds). Under the dual hatting agreement, such employees and such affiliates are considered “associated persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, of Ninety One NA, and the employees are subject to the control and supervision of Ninety One NA, and to Ninety One NA’s compliance policies and procedures and code of ethics, in connection with any services they provide to Ninety One NA’s clients.

 

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For its services to the Funds, the Adviser is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates based on the average daily net assets of each Fund:

 

Fund Advisory Fee Rate
Ninety One Global Environment Fund 0.75%
Ninety One International Franchise Fund 0.75%

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs and expenses relating to the securities that are purchased and sold by the Fund, 12b-1 Fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other non-routine expenses, such as litigation (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) for I Shares and A Shares from exceeding certain levels as set forth below until February 28, 2023 (each, a “contractual expense limit”). This agreement will terminate automatically upon the termination of the Funds’ investment advisory agreement and may be terminated: (i) by the Board, for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on February 28, 2023.

 

Fund Contractual Expense Limit
Ninety One Global Environment Fund 0.90%
Ninety One International Franchise Fund 0.85%

 

The Adviser may receive from a Fund the difference between the total annual Fund operating expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point total annual Fund operating expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the contractual expense limit (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Funds’ investment advisory agreement will be available in the Funds’ first Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders..

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Deirdre Cooper, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One UK, serves as a portfolio manager of the Ninety One Global Environment Fund. Ms. Cooper joined Ninety One UK in 2018. Previously, Ms. Cooper was a Partner, Portfolio Manager and Head of Research at Ecofin, where she served as the Co-Portfolio for 10 years on a segregated account in the environmental sector for a large European sovereign fund. She received an MBA from Harvard Business School and her BA from University College Dublin.

 

Graeme Baker, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One UK, serves as a portfolio manager of the Ninety One Global Environment Fund. Mr. Baker joined Ninety One UK in 2010 as an energy analyst. Prior to joining Ninety One UK, Mr. Baker worked as an investment analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management where he focused on Alternatives and Global Equities. Mr. Baker received a BSc in Economics from the University of Bristol.

 

21 

 

Elias Erickson, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One NA, serves as the sole portfolio manager of the Ninety One International Franchise Fund. Mr. Erickson joined Ninety One NA in 2018. Previously, Mr. Erickson was a Managing Director at Thornburg Investment Management, where he served as an Associate Portfolio Manager for the Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund since 2015.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of Fund shares.

 

Ninety One Global Environment Fund - Related Performance Data

 

The following tables give the related performance of all accounts (each, an “Account”), referred to as a “Composite,” managed by Deidre Cooper and Graeme Baker, the portfolio managers of the Fund, that have investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the Fund. Ms. Cooper and Mr. Baker exercise final decision-making authority over all material aspects concerning the investment objective, policies, strategies, and security selection decisions of the Composite, and exercises the same level of authority and discretion in managing the Fund. The data does not represent the historical performance of the Fund and is not indicative of the potential future performance of the Fund. Information regarding the Fund's performance is not yet available.

 

The manner in which the performance was calculated for the Composite differs from that of registered mutual funds such as the Fund. If the performance was calculated in accordance with SEC standardized performance methodology, the performance results may have been different. The Adviser has prepared and presented the following in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). The Adviser’s policies on valuing portfolios, calculating performance and preparing GIPS® compliant performance presentations are available upon request.

 

All returns presented were calculated on a total return basis and include all dividends and interest, accrued income, and realized and unrealized gains and losses. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. “Gross of Fees” returns reflect the deduction of irrecoverable foreign withholding taxes and all trading costs paid by the Accounts included in the Composite, while “Net of Fees” returns additionally reflect the deduction of investment management fees.

 

The Composite performance information is calculated in and expressed in U.S. dollars, without taking into account federal or state income taxes or any fee waivers or rebates provided to investors in a pooled investment vehicle included in the Composite. Accounts are included in the Composite from the first full month of management and removed, as applicable, after the last full month of management.

 

The Accounts that are included in the Composite are not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions, and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the federal securities and tax laws. Consequently, the performance results for the Composite could have been adversely affected if the Accounts were subject to the same federal securities and tax laws as the Fund.

 

The investment results for the Composite presented below are not intended to predict or suggest the future returns of the Fund. The performance data shown below should not be considered a substitute for the Fund’s own performance information. Investors should be aware that the use of a methodology different than that used below to calculate performance could result in different performance data.

 

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THE FOLLOWING DATA DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND.

 

Performance Information for the Substantially Similar Strategy Composite

 

Calendar Year Total Pre-Tax Returns
Year Total Pre-Tax
Return
(Net of Fees)
Total Pre-Tax
Return
(Gross of
Fees)
Comparison
Index2
Number of
Portfolios at
End of Period
Total Assets
at End of
Period ($
millions
Year to Date1 -2.63% -2.43% 4.57% 3 $2,244.1
2020 53.99% 55.46% 16.25% 4 $1,351.4
2019 40.09% 42.30% 19.24% 3 $229.9

 

Average Annual Total Pre-Tax Returns (as of 12/31/2020)
Time Period Composite Returns
(Net of Fees)
Composite Returns
(Gross of Fees)
Comparison Index2
1 Year 89.25% 90.85% 54.60%
Since Inception3 27.12% 28.78% 10.27%

 

1Reflects the period from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021.
2The Comparison Index is the MSCI AC World Net Total Return Index. Prior to October 31, 2019, the Comparison Index was the MSCI Global Environment ex Software and Services ex Real Estate ex Mortgage REITs 10/40 Net Total Return Index. Both of these indices are free float-adjusted market capitalization.
3Inception date of the Composite is September 1, 2018.

 

Ninety One International Franchise Fund - Related Performance Data

 

The following tables give the related performance of all accounts (each, an “Account”), referred to as a “Composite,” managed by the Adviser that have investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the Fund. All accounts managed by the Adviser that it determined are substantially similar to the Fund have been included in the Composite. The data does not represent the historical performance of the Fund and is not indicative of the potential future performance of the Fund. Information regarding the Fund's performance is not yet available.

 

The manner in which the performance was calculated for the Composite differs from that of registered mutual funds such as the Fund. If the performance was calculated in accordance with SEC standardized performance methodology, the performance results may have been different. The Adviser has prepared and presented the following in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). The Adviser’s policies on valuing portfolios, calculating performance and preparing GIPS® compliant performance presentations are available upon request.

 

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All returns presented were calculated on a total return basis and include all dividends and interest, accrued income, and realized and unrealized gains and losses. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. “Gross of Fees” returns reflect the deduction of irrecoverable foreign withholding taxes and all trading costs paid by the Accounts included in the Composite, while “Net of Fees” returns additionally reflect the deduction of investment management fees.

 

The Composite performance information is calculated in and expressed in U.S. dollars, without taking into account federal or state income taxes or any fee waivers or rebates provided to investors in a pooled investment vehicle included in the Composite. Accounts are included in the Composite from the first full month of management and removed, as applicable, after the last full month of management.

 

The Accounts that are included in the Composite are not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions, and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the federal securities and tax laws. Consequently, the performance results for the Composite could have been adversely affected if the Accounts were subject to the same federal securities and tax laws as the Fund.

 

The investment results for the Composite presented below are not intended to predict or suggest the future returns of the Fund. The performance data shown below should not be considered a substitute for the Fund’s own performance information. Investors should be aware that the use of a methodology different than that used below to calculate performance could result in different performance data.

 

THE FOLLOWING DATA DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND.

 

Performance Information for the Substantially Similar Strategy Composite

 

Calendar Year Total Pre-Tax Returns
Year Total Pre-Tax
Return (Net
of Fees)
Total Pre-Tax
Return
(Gross of
Fees)
Comparison
Index2
Number of
Portfolios at
End of Period
Total Assets
at End of
Period ($
millions
Year to Date1 -0.95% -0.77% 3.49% 1 $15.0
2020 18.26% 19.14% 10.65% 1 $15.2
2019 30.91% 31.87% 21.51% 1 $6.5

 

Average Annual Total Pre-Tax Returns (as of 12/31/2020)
Time Period Composite Returns
(Net of Fees)
Composite Returns
(Gross of Fees)
Comparison Index2
1 Year 37.48% 38.49% 49.41%
Since Inception3 20.92% 21.82% 15.82%

 

1Reflects the period from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021.
2The Comparison Index is the MSCI ACWI ex USA Net Total Return USD Index. The MSCI ACWI ex USA Net Total Return USD Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of global equity markets excluding the US.
3Inception date of the Composite is January 1, 2019.

 

 

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Purchasing, Selling and Exchanging Fund Shares

 

This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called “redeem”) and exchange I Shares and A Shares of the Funds.

 

For information regarding the federal income tax consequences of transactions in shares of the Funds, including information about cost basis reporting, see “Taxes.”

 

How to Choose a Share Class

 

Each Fund offers two classes of shares to investors, I Shares and A Shares. Each share class has its own shareholder eligibility criteria, cost structure and other features. The following summarizes the primary features of I Shares and A Shares. Contact your financial intermediary or a Fund for more information about each Fund’s share classes and how to choose between them.

 

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Class Name Eligible Investors Fees and Sales Charges
I Shares I Shares of a Fund are offered exclusively to:

Sales Charge – None

 

  Wrap fee based programs and fee based clients of a broker-dealer, an investment adviser or other financial intermediary; 12b-1 Fee – None
       
  Commissionable brokerage platforms where a financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of the financial intermediary’s customer, charges the customer a transaction-based commission outside the Fund where the broker does not receive compensation from Fund sales charges or Rule 12b-1 fees;  
       
  Institutional investors, including corporations; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit, and other employee sponsored retirement and deferred compensation plans; retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment adviser firms; registered investment companies; bank trusts; college savings programs; charitable organizations; financial institutions; pension plans; and family offices;  
       
  Eligible employees, which are present or former officers, directors, and employees (and their eligible family members) of the Fund, Ninety One NA, and Ninety One NA’s affiliates, Ninety One NA’s parent company and subsidiaries of Ninety One NA’s parent company, and retirement plans established for the benefit of these individuals; and  
       
  I Shares shareholders purchasing I Shares through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions.  
A Shares A Shares of a Fund can generally only be purchased through an account with a broker or other financial intermediary. Maximum Sales Charges – 5.75%

12b-1 Fee – 0.25%

 

An investor may be eligible to purchase more than one share class. However, if you purchase shares through a financial intermediary, you may only purchase that class of shares which your financial intermediary sells or services. Your financial intermediary can tell you which classes of shares are available through the intermediary.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to change the criteria for eligible investors in its sole discretion.

 

Sales Charges

 

Front-End Sales Charges

 

The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after a Fund receives your request, plus the front-end sales charge. Selling dealers are normally reallowed 100% of the sales charge by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”). A dealer who receives all or substantially all of the sales charge may be considered an “underwriter” under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The amount of any front-end sales charge included in your offering price varies, depending on the amount of your investment:

 

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If your investment is: Your Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Offering Price
Your Sales Charge as a
Percentage of Your Net Investment
Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10%
$25,000 or more but less than $50,000 5.00% 5.26%
$50,000 or more but less than $100,000 4.50% 4.71%
$100,000 or more but less than $250,000 3.50% 3.63%
$250,000 or more but less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56%
$500,000 or more but less than $750,000 2.00% 2.04%
$750,000 or more but less than $1,000,000 1.50% 1.52%
$1,000,000 and over None None

 

You may qualify for a reduced sales charge or a sales charge waiver. If you qualify for a sales charge waiver, you may purchase A Shares of a Fund at NAV. If you believe that you may qualify for a reduction or waiver of the sales charge, you should discuss this matter with your financial adviser or other financial intermediary. To qualify for these reductions or waivers, you or your financial intermediary must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment. This information could be used to aggregate, for example, holdings in personal or retirement accounts, Fund shares owned by your immediate family members, and holdings in accounts at other brokers or financial intermediaries. The Funds or your financial intermediary may request documentation from you in order to verify your eligibility for a breakpoint discount. This information may include account statements and records regarding Fund shares held at all financial intermediaries by you and members of your immediate family. In addition to breakpoint discounts, the following sections describe other circumstances in which sales charges are waived or otherwise may be reduced. Your financial intermediary may not offer any or all of the waivers or discounts discussed below, in which case you would be required to purchase A Shares through another intermediary in order to receive a desired waiver or discount.

 

Waiver of Front-End Sales Charge

 

A Shares of a Fund may be purchased at NAV without payment of any sales charge:

through reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
through an account advised by the Adviser or one of its affiliates;
by persons repurchasing shares they redeemed within the last 90 days (see “Repurchase of A Shares”);
by investors who purchase shares with redemption proceeds (but only to the extent of such redemption proceeds) from another Ninety One NA-advised mutual fund within 90 days of such redemption, provided that the investors paid either a front-end or contingent deferred sales charge on the original shares redeemed;
by employees, and members of their immediate family, of the Adviser and its affiliates;
by retirees of the Adviser and its affiliates;
by employees and retirees of the SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the “Administrator”) or the Distributor;

 

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by Trustees and officers of the Trust;
by persons reinvesting distributions from qualified employee benefit retirement plans and rollovers from IRAs previously with the Adviser;
by persons participating in a fee-based program (such as a wrap account) under which they (i) pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution or (ii) pay fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution for providing transaction processing and other administrative services, but not investment advisory services;
through dealers, asset allocation programs and financial institutions that, under their dealer agreements with the Distributor or otherwise, do not receive any portion of the front-end sales charge;
by non-profit or charitable organizations; and
through retirement plans (including 401(k), SIMPLE 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit, employee stock ownership, money purchase, profit sharing and target benefit plans), welfare benefit plans and IRAs (including SEP-IRAs, SARSEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs).

 

You should inquire with your financial intermediary regarding whether a waiver of front-end sales charge is applicable to you.

 

Repurchase of A Shares

 

You may repurchase any amount of A Shares of a Fund at NAV (without the normal front-end sales charge), up to the limit of the value of any amount of A Shares (other than those which were purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions) that you redeemed within the past 90 days. In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without repaying the front-end sales charge. To exercise this privilege, the Fund must receive your purchase order within 90 days of your redemption. In addition, you must notify the Fund when you send in your purchase order that you are repurchasing shares. Certain tax rules may limit your ability to recognize a loss on the redemption of your A Shares, and you should consult your tax advisor if recognizing such a loss is important to you.

 

Reduced Sales Charges

 

In addition to the above described reductions in front-end sales charges for purchases over a certain dollar size, you may also be eligible to participate in one or more of the programs described below to lower your initial sales charge. To be eligible to participate in these programs, you must inform your broker-dealer or financial advisor at the time you purchase shares that you would like to participate in one or more of the programs and provide information necessary to determine your eligibility to participate, including the account number(s) and names in which your accounts are registered at the time of purchase. In addition, the Funds or their agent may request account statements if they are unable to verify your account information.

 

Right of Accumulation. In calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, this right allows you to add the value of the A Shares of the Funds you already own to the amount that you are currently purchasing. The value of your current purchases will be combined with the current value of A Shares of the Funds you purchased previously that are currently held for (i) your account, (ii) your spouse’s account, (iii) a joint account with your spouse, or (iv) your minor children’s trust or custodial accounts. A fiduciary purchasing shares for the same fiduciary account, trust or estate may also use this right of accumulation. If your investment qualifies for a reduced sales load due to accumulation of purchases, you must notify DST Systems, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) at the time of purchase of the existence of other accounts and/or holdings eligible to be aggregated to reduce or eliminate the sales load. You may be required to provide records, such as account statements, regarding the Fund shares held by you or related accounts at the Funds or at other financial intermediaries in order to verify your eligibility for a breakpoint discount. You will receive the reduced sales load only on the additional purchases and not retroactively on previous purchases. The Funds may amend or terminate this right of accumulation at any time. The Funds will only consider the value of A Shares purchased previously that were purchased subject to a sales charge.

 

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Letter of Intent. You may purchase A Shares of each Fund at the sales charge rate applicable to the total amount of the purchases you intend to make over a 13-month period. In other words, a Letter of Intent allows you to purchase A Shares of the Funds over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if you had purchased all the shares at the same time. Each Fund will only consider the value of A Shares sold subject to a sales charge. As a result, A Shares purchased with dividends or distributions will not be included in the calculation. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares you intend to purchase over the 13-month period, you must send a Fund a Letter of Intent. In calculating the total amount of purchases, you may include in your letter purchases made up to 90 days before the date of the Letter. The 13-month period begins on the date of the first purchase, including those purchases made in the 90-day period before the date of the Letter. Please note that the purchase price of these prior purchases will not be adjusted.

 

You are not legally bound by the terms of your Letter of Intent to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the Letter. The Letter does, however, authorize a Fund to hold in escrow 5% of the total amount you intend to purchase. If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, the Funds’ transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased).

 

Combined Purchase/Quantity Discount Privilege. When calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, the Funds will combine purchases of A Shares (that are subject to a sales charge) of the Funds made on the same day by you, your spouse and your minor children (under age 21). This combination also applies to A Shares you purchase with a Letter of Intent.

 

Purchasers Qualifying for Reductions in Front-End Sales Charges

 

Only certain persons or groups are eligible for the reductions in initial sales charges described in the preceding section. These qualified purchasers include the following:

 

Individuals

an individual, his or her spouse, or children residing in the same household; and
any trust established exclusively for the benefit of an individual.

 

Trustees and Fiduciaries

a trustee or fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or fiduciary account.

 

Other Groups

any organized group of persons, whether or not incorporated, purchasing Fund shares, provided that (i) the organization has been in existence for at least six months; and (ii) the organization has some purpose other than the purchase at a discount of redeemable securities of a registered investment company.

 

29 

 

Investors or dealers seeking to qualify orders for a reduced front-end sales charge must identify such orders at the time of purchase and, if necessary, support their qualification for the reduced charge with appropriate documentation. Appropriate documentation includes, without limitation, account statements regarding shares of a Fund held in all accounts (e.g., retirement accounts) by the investor, and, if applicable, his or her spouse and children residing in the same household, including accounts at broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries different than the broker-dealer of record for the current purchase of Fund shares. The Distributor reserves the right to determine whether any purchaser is entitled, by virtue of the foregoing, to the reduced initial sales charge. No person or entity may distribute A Shares of the Funds without payment of the applicable sales charge other than to persons or entities who qualify for a reduction in the sales charge as provided herein.

 

General Information about Sales Charges

 

Your securities dealer is paid a commission when you buy your shares and is paid a servicing fee as long as you hold your shares. Your securities dealer or servicing agent may receive different levels of compensation depending on which class of shares you buy. From time to time, some financial institutions, including brokerage firms affiliated with the Adviser or the Distributor, may be reallowed up to the entire sales charge. Firms that receive a reallowance of the entire sales charge may be considered underwriters for the purpose of federal securities law.

 

The Distributor may, from time to time in its sole discretion, institute one or more promotional incentive programs for dealers, which will be paid for by the Distributor from any sales charge it receives or from any other source available to it. Under any such program, the Distributor may provide cash or non-cash compensation as recognition for past sales or encouragement for future sales that may include the following: merchandise, travel expenses, prizes, meals and lodgings, and gifts that do not exceed $100 per year, per individual.

 

How to Purchase Fund Shares

 

I Shares of a Fund are offered exclusively to:

Wrap fee based programs and fee based clients of a broker-dealer, an investment adviser or other financial intermediary;
Commissionable brokerage platforms where a financial intermediary, acting as broker on behalf of the financial intermediary’s customer, charges the customer a transaction-based commission outside the Fund where the broker does not receive compensation from Fund sales charges or Rule 12b-1 fees;
Institutional investors, including corporations; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit, and other employee sponsored retirement and deferred compensation plans; retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment adviser firms; registered investment companies; bank trusts; college savings programs; charitable organizations; financial institutions; pension plans; and family offices;
Eligible employees, which are present or former officers, directors, and employees (and their eligible family members) of the Fund, Ninety One NA, and Ninety One NA’s affiliates, Ninety One NA’s parent company and subsidiaries of Ninety One NA’s parent company, and retirement plans established for the benefit of these individuals; and
I Shares shareholders purchasing I Shares through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions.

 

30 

 

A Shares of a Fund can generally only be purchased through an account with a broker or other financial intermediary.

 

To purchase shares directly from the Funds through their transfer agent, complete and send in the application. If you need an application or have questions, please call 1-844-426-8721.

 

All investments must be made by check, wire or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”). All checks must be made payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions. The Funds do not accept purchases made by third-party checks, credit cards, credit card checks, cash, traveler’s checks, money orders or cashier’s checks.

 

The Funds reserve the right to reject any specific purchase order, including exchange purchases, for any reason. The Funds are not intended for short-term trading by shareholders in response to short-term market fluctuations. For more information about the Funds’ policy on short-term trading, see “Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.”

 

The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. Please contact the Funds for more information.

 

By Mail

 

You can open an account with a Fund by sending a check and your account application to the address below. You can add to an existing account by sending a Fund a check and, if possible, the “Invest by Mail” stub that accompanies your confirmation statement. Be sure your check identifies clearly your name, your account number, the Fund’s name and the share class.

 

Regular Mail Address

 

Ninety One Funds

P.O. Box 219009

Kansas City, MO 64121-9009

 

Express Mail Address

 

Ninety One Funds

c/o DST Systems, Inc.

430 West 7th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

 

Each Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services of purchase orders does not constitute receipt by the Fund’s transfer agent. The share price used to fill the purchase order is the next price calculated by a Fund after the Fund’s transfer agent receives the order in proper form at the P.O. Box provided for regular mail delivery or the office address provided for express mail delivery.

 

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By Wire

 

To open an account by wire, call 1-844-426-8721 for details. To add to an existing account by wire, wire your money using the wiring instructions set forth below (be sure to include the Fund name, the share class, and your account number).

 

Wiring Instructions

 

UMB Bank, N.A.

ABA # 101000695

Ninety One Funds

DDA # 9872013085

 

Ref: Ninety One Fund name/share class/account number/account name

 

Purchases In-Kind

 

Subject to the approval of a Fund, an investor may purchase shares of such Fund with liquid securities and other assets that are eligible for purchase by that Fund (consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions) and that have a value that is readily ascertainable in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies. These transactions will be effected only if the Adviser deems the security to be an appropriate investment for such Fund. Assets purchased by a Fund in such transactions will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by such Fund. Each Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate this practice at any time.

 

Minimum Purchases

 

There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount for I Shares or A Shares of a Fund.

 

Fund Codes

 

Each Fund’s reference information, which is listed below, will be helpful to you when you contact a Fund to purchase or exchange shares, check daily NAV, or obtain additional information.

 

Fund Share Class Ticker Symbol CUSIP Fund Code
Ninety One Global Environment Fund I Shares [XX] [XX] [XX]
A Shares [XX] [XX] [XX]
Ninety One International Franchise Fund I Shares [XX] [XX] [XX]
A Shares [XX] [XX] [XX]

 

General Information

 

You may purchase shares on any day that the NYSE is open for business (a “Business Day”). Shares cannot be purchased by Federal Reserve wire on days that either the NYSE or the Federal Reserve is closed.

 

A Fund’s price per share will be the NAV per share next determined after the Fund or an authorized institution (defined below) receives your purchase order in proper form. “Proper form” means that the Fund was provided with a complete and signed account application, including the investor’s social security number or tax identification number, and other identification required by law or regulation, as well as sufficient purchase proceeds.

 

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Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day as of the close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). To receive the current Business Day’s NAV, a Fund or an authorized institution must receive your purchase order in proper form before the close of normal trading on the NYSE. If the NYSE closes early, as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of trading, each Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. A Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. Shares will only be priced on Business Days. Since securities may trade on days that are not Business Days, the value of a Fund may change on days when you are unable to purchase or redeem shares.

 

Buying or Selling Shares through a Financial Intermediary

 

When you purchase or sell Fund shares through a financial intermediary (rather than directly from the Funds), you may have to transmit your purchase and sale requests to the financial intermediary at an earlier time for your transaction to become effective that day. This allows the financial intermediary time to process your requests and transmit them to a Fund prior to the time such Fund calculates its NAV that day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting all purchase and redemption requests, investment information, documentation and money to a Fund on time. If your financial intermediary fails to do so, it may be responsible for any resulting fees or losses. Unless your financial intermediary is an authorized institution, orders transmitted by the financial intermediary and received by a Fund after the time NAV is calculated for a particular day will receive the following day’s NAV.

 

Certain financial intermediaries, including certain broker-dealers and shareholder organizations, are authorized to act as agent on behalf of the Funds with respect to the receipt of purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares (“authorized institutions”). Authorized institutions are also authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized institution or, if applicable, an authorized institution’s designee, receives the order. Orders will be priced at a Fund’s NAV next computed after they are received by an authorized institution or an authorized institution’s designee. To determine whether your financial intermediary is an authorized institution or an authorized institution’s designee such that it may act as agent on behalf of a Fund with respect to purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares, you should contact your financial intermediary directly.

 

If you deal directly with a financial intermediary, you will have to follow its procedures for transacting with a Fund. Your financial intermediary may charge a fee for your purchase and/or redemption transactions. For more information about how to purchase or sell Fund shares through a financial intermediary, you should contact your financial intermediary directly.

 

How the Funds Calculate NAV

 

The NAV of a class of a Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets attributable to the class, less any liabilities attributable to the class, by the total number of shares outstanding of the class.

 

In calculating NAV, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are not readily available or a Fund reasonably believes that they are unreliable, such as in the case of a security value that has been materially affected by events occurring after the relevant market closes, the Fund is required to price those securities at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board. Pursuant to the policies adopted by, and under the ultimate supervision of, the Board, these methods are implemented through the Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee, members of which are appointed by the Board. A Fund’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value that the Fund assigns to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available. The respective prospectuses for the open-end investment companies in which a Fund invests explain the circumstances in which those investment companies will use fair value pricing and the effect of fair value pricing.

 

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With respect to non-U.S. securities held by a Fund, the Fund may take factors influencing specific markets or issuers into consideration in determining the fair value of a non-U.S. security. Foreign securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. In such cases, the value of any foreign securities owned by a Fund may be significantly affected on days when investors cannot buy or sell shares. In addition, due to the difference in times between the close of the foreign markets and the time as of which a Fund prices its shares, the value the Fund assigns to securities may not be the same as the quoted or published prices of those securities on their primary markets or exchanges. In determining fair value prices, a Fund may consider the performance of securities on their primary exchanges, foreign currency appreciation/depreciation, securities market movements in the United States, or other relevant information related to the securities.

 

There may be limited circumstances in which a Fund would price securities at fair value for stocks of U.S. companies that are traded on U.S. exchanges – for example, if the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded closed early or if trading in a particular security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the time the Fund calculated its NAV.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies in which a Fund invests are valued at the investment company’s applicable NAV.

 

How to Sell Your Fund Shares

 

If you own your shares directly, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting a Fund directly by mail or telephone at 1-844-426-8721. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. A Shares of a Fund can generally only be redeemed by contacting the broker or financial intermediary through which you own your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services in addition to the fees charged by the Funds.

 

If you would like to have your redemption proceeds, including proceeds generated as a result of closing your account, sent to a third party or an address other than your own, please notify such Fund in writing.

 

Certain redemption requests will require a signature guarantee by an eligible guarantor institution. Eligible guarantors include commercial banks, savings and loans, savings banks, trust companies, credit unions, member firms of a national stock exchange, or any other member or participant of an approved signature guarantor program. For example, signature guarantees may be required if your address of record has changed in the last 30 days, if you want the proceeds sent to a bank other than the bank of record on your account, or if you ask that the proceeds be sent to a different person or address. Please note that a notary public is not an acceptable provider of a signature guarantee and that a Fund must be provided with the original guarantee. Signature guarantees are for the protection of Fund shareholders. Before granting a redemption request, a Fund may require a shareholder to furnish additional legal documents to ensure proper authorization.

 

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Accounts held by a corporation, trust, fiduciary or partnership, may require additional documentation along with a signature guaranteed letter of instruction. The Funds participate in the Paperless Legal Program (the “Program”), which eliminates the need for accompanying paper documentation on legal securities transfers. Requests received with a Medallion Signature Guarantee will be reviewed for the proper criteria to meet the guidelines of the Program and may not require additional documentation. Please contact Shareholder Services at 1-844-426-8721 for more information.

 

The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after a Fund (or an authorized institution) receives your request in proper form.

 

By Mail

 

To redeem shares by mail, please send a letter to a Fund signed by all registered parties on the account specifying:

 

The Fund name;
The share class;
The account number;
The dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem;
The account name(s); and
The address to which redemption (sale) proceeds should be sent.

 

All registered shareholders must sign the letter in the exact name(s) and must designate any special capacity in which they are registered.

 

Regular Mail Address

 

Ninety One Funds

P.O. Box 219009

Kansas City, MO 64121-9009

 

Express Mail Address

 

Ninety One Funds

c/o DST Systems, Inc.

430 West 7th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

 

Each Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services of sell orders does not constitute receipt by the Fund’s transfer agent. The share price used to fill the sell order is the next price calculated by a Fund after the Fund’s transfer agent receives the order in proper form at the P.O. Box provided for regular mail delivery or the office address provided for express mail delivery.

 

35 

 

By Telephone

 

To redeem shares by telephone, you must first establish the telephone redemption privilege (and, if desired, the wire and/or ACH redemption privilege) by completing the appropriate sections of the account application. Call 1-844-426-8721 to redeem your shares. Based on your instructions, the Funds will mail your proceeds to you, or send them to your bank via wire or ACH.

 

Receiving Your Money

 

Normally, a Fund will send your sale proceeds within one Business Day after it receives your redemption request. A Fund, however, may take up to seven days to pay redemption proceeds. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (may be subject to a $10 fee), sent to you by check or sent via ACH to your bank account if you have established banking instructions with a Fund. If you are selling shares that were recently purchased by check or through ACH, redemption proceeds may not be available until your check has cleared or the ACH transaction has been completed (which may take up to 15 days from your date of purchase).

 

A Fund typically expects to sell portfolio assets and/or hold cash or cash equivalents to meet redemption requests. On a less regular basis, a Fund may also meet redemption requests by using short-term borrowings from its custodian and/or redeeming shares in-kind (as described below). These methods may be used during both normal and stressed market conditions.

 

Redemptions In-Kind

 

A Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise and for the protection of such Fund’s remaining shareholders, such Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in-kind). If your shares were redeemed in-kind, you would have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. In addition, you would continue to be subject to the risks of any market fluctuation in the value of the securities you receive in-kind until they are sold.

 

Involuntary Redemptions of Your Shares

 

Each Fund reserves the right to determine which potential investors qualify as eligible investors for I Shares of the Fund. I Shares of a Fund held by a non-eligible investor are subject to involuntary redemption by the Fund.

 

Suspension of Your Right to Sell Your Shares

 

A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than seven days during times when the NYSE is closed, other than during customary weekends or holidays, or as otherwise permitted by the SEC. More information about this is in the SAI.

 

Telephone Transactions

 

Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss.

 

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How to Exchange Fund Shares

 

At no charge, you or your financial intermediary may exchange I Shares or A Shares of one Fund for I Shares or A Shares, respectively, of another Fund by writing to or calling the Funds. Exchanges are subject to the eligibility requirements and the fees and expenses of the Fund you exchange into.

 

The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term or excessive trading. A Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of exchanges that is excessive, as determined in the sole discretion of the Fund. For more information about the Funds’ policy on excessive trading, see “Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures.”

 

At no charge, you or your financial intermediary may also convert one class of shares of one Fund directly to another class of shares of the same Fund, subject to the eligibility requirements and the fees and expenses of the share class you convert into. A conversion between share classes of the same Fund is not a taxable event.

 

You may only exchange or convert shares between accounts with identical registrations (i.e., the same names and addresses). If you purchase shares through a financial intermediary, you may only exchange or convert into a Fund or share class which your financial intermediary sells or services. Your financial intermediary can tell you which Funds and share classes are available through the intermediary.

 

Payments to Financial Intermediaries

 

The Funds and/or the Adviser may compensate financial intermediaries for providing a variety of services to the Funds and/or their shareholders. Financial intermediaries include affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Funds, their service providers or their respective affiliates. This section briefly describes how financial intermediaries may be paid for providing these services. For more information, please see “Payments to Financial Intermediaries” in the SAI.

 

Distribution Plan

 

The Funds have adopted a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for A Shares that allows the Funds to pay distribution and/or service fees for the sale and distribution of Fund shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The maximum annual Rule 12b-1 fee for A Shares of a Fund is 0.25%.

 

Payments by the Adviser

 

From time to time, the Adviser and/or its affiliates, in their discretion, may make payments to certain affiliated or unaffiliated financial intermediaries to compensate them for the costs associated with distribution, marketing, administration and shareholder servicing support for the Funds. These payments are sometimes characterized as “revenue sharing” payments and are made out of the Adviser’s and/or its affiliates’ own legitimate profits or other resources, and may be in addition to any payments made to financial intermediaries by the Funds. A financial intermediary may provide these services with respect to Fund shares sold or held through programs such as retirement plans, qualified tuition programs, fund supermarkets, fee-based advisory or wrap fee programs, bank trust programs, and insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. In addition, financial intermediaries may receive payments for making shares of the Funds available to their customers or registered representatives, including providing the Funds with “shelf space,” placing them on a preferred or recommended fund list, or promoting the Funds in certain sales programs that are sponsored by financial intermediaries. To the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules and other applicable laws and regulations, the Adviser and/or its affiliates may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments to financial intermediaries.

 

37 

 

The level of payments made by the Adviser and/or its affiliates to individual financial intermediaries varies in any given year and may be negotiated on the basis of sales of Fund shares, the amount of Fund assets serviced by the financial intermediary or the quality of the financial intermediary’s relationship with the Adviser and/or its affiliates. These payments may be more or less than the payments received by the financial intermediaries from other mutual funds and may influence a financial intermediary to favor the sales of certain funds or share classes over others. In certain instances, the payments could be significant and may cause a conflict of interest for your financial intermediary. Any such payments will not change the NAV or price of a Fund’s shares. Please contact your financial intermediary for information about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to Fund shareholders.

 

In addition to these payments, your financial intermediary may charge you account fees, commissions or transaction fees for buying or redeeming shares of the Funds, or other fees for servicing your account. Your financial intermediary should provide a schedule of its fees and services to you upon request.

 

Other Policies

 

Excessive Trading Policies and Procedures

 

Each Fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and discourages shareholders from engaging in “market timing” or other types of excessive short-term trading. This frequent trading into and out of a Fund may present risks to such Fund’s long-term shareholders and could adversely affect shareholder returns. The risks posed by frequent trading include interfering with the efficient implementation of each Fund’s investment strategies, triggering the recognition of taxable gains and losses on the sale of a Fund’s investments, requiring such Fund to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemption requests, and experiencing increased transaction costs.

 

In addition, because the Funds may invest in foreign securities traded primarily on markets that close prior to the time each Fund determines its NAV, the risks posed by frequent trading may have a greater potential to dilute the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders than funds investing exclusively in U.S. securities. In instances where a significant event that affects the value of one or more foreign securities held by a Fund takes place after the close of the primary foreign market, but before the time that the Fund determines its NAV, certain investors may seek to take advantage of the fact that there will be a delay in the adjustment of the market price for a security caused by this event until the foreign market reopens (sometimes referred to as “price” or “time zone” arbitrage). Shareholders who attempt this type of arbitrage may dilute the value of a Fund’s shares if the prices of the Fund’s foreign securities do not reflect their fair value. Although the Funds have procedures designed to determine the fair value of foreign securities for purposes of calculating their NAV when such an event has occurred, fair value pricing, because it involves judgments which are inherently subjective, may not always eliminate the risk of price arbitrage.

 

38 

 

A Fund that invests in small- and mid-cap securities, which often trade in lower volumes and may be less liquid, may be more susceptible to the risks posed by frequent trading because frequent transactions in the Fund’s shares may have a greater impact on the market prices of these types of securities.

 

The Funds’ service providers will take steps reasonably designed to detect and deter frequent trading by shareholders pursuant to the Funds’ policies and procedures described in this prospectus and approved by the Board. For purposes of applying these policies, the Funds’ service providers may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control. The Funds’ policies and procedures include:

 

Shareholders are restricted from making more than 3 “round trips,” including exchanges, into or out of a Fund within any 12 month period. The Funds define a “round trip” as a purchase or exchange into a Fund by a shareholder, followed by a subsequent redemption out of the Fund, of an amount the Adviser reasonably believes would be harmful or disruptive to the Fund.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange request by any investor or group of investors for any reason without prior notice, including, in particular, if the Fund or the Adviser reasonably believes that the trading activity would be harmful or disruptive to the Fund.

 

The Funds and/or their service providers seek to apply these policies to the best of their abilities uniformly and in a manner they believe is consistent with the interests of each Fund’s long-term shareholders. The Funds do not knowingly accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions by Fund shareholders. Although these policies are designed to deter frequent trading, none of these measures alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that frequent trading in a Fund will occur.

 

Financial intermediaries (such as investment advisers and broker-dealers) often establish omnibus accounts in the Funds for their customers through which transactions are placed. The Funds have entered into “information sharing agreements” with these financial intermediaries, which permit the Funds to obtain, upon request, information about the trading activity of the intermediary’s customers that invest in the Funds. If the Funds or their service providers identify omnibus account level trading patterns that have the potential to be detrimental to the Funds, the Funds or their service providers may, in their sole discretion, request from the financial intermediary information concerning the trading activity of its customers. Based upon a review of that information, if the Funds or their service providers determine that the trading activity of any customer may be detrimental to the Funds, they may, in their sole discretion, request the financial intermediary to restrict or limit further trading in the Funds by that customer. If the Funds are not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action, the Funds may terminate the intermediary’s ability to transact in Fund shares. When information regarding transactions in the Funds’ shares is requested by the Funds and such information is in the possession of a person that is itself a financial intermediary to a financial intermediary (an “indirect intermediary”), any financial intermediary with whom the Funds have an information sharing agreement is obligated to obtain transaction information from the indirect intermediary or, if directed by the Funds, to restrict or prohibit the indirect intermediary from purchasing shares of the Funds on behalf of other persons.

 

The Funds and their service providers will use reasonable efforts to work with financial intermediaries to identify excessive short-term trading in omnibus accounts that may be detrimental to the Funds. However, there can be no assurance that the monitoring of omnibus account level trading will enable the Funds to identify or prevent all such trading by a financial intermediary’s customers. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information.

 

39 

 

Customer Identification and Verification

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.

 

What this means to you: when you open an account, a Fund will ask your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow the Fund to identify you. This information is subject to verification to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account.

 

The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided.

 

In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify your identity.

 

Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker or financial intermediary. If this information cannot be obtained within a reasonable timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected.

 

Subject to the Funds’ right to reject purchases as described in this prospectus, upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the next-determined NAV per share.

 

The Funds reserve the right to close or liquidate your account at the NAV next-determined and remit proceeds to you via check if they are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a reasonable timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. Further, the Funds reserve the right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank, which may take up to 15 days from the date of purchase. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. You will not be entitled to recover any sales charges paid in connection with your purchase of Fund shares.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program

 

Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds’ overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of illegal activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to: (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order; (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services; or (iii) involuntarily close your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of a Fund or in cases when a Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. If your account is closed at the request of governmental or law enforcement authority, you may not receive proceeds of the redemption if the Fund is required to withhold such proceeds.

 

40 

 

Unclaimed Property

 

Each state has unclaimed property rules that generally provide for escheatment (or transfer) to the state of unclaimed property under various circumstances. Such circumstances include inactivity (e.g., no owner-initiated contact for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is returned by the post office, or “RPO,” as undeliverable), or a combination of both inactivity and returned mail.

 

Shareholders that reside in the state of Texas may designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that can be found on the website of the Texas Comptroller. While the designated representative does not have any rights to claim or access the shareholder’s account or assets, the escheatment period will cease if the representative communicates knowledge of the shareholder’s location and confirms that the shareholder has not abandoned his or her property. A completed designation form may be mailed to the Funds (if shares are held directly with the Funds) or to the shareholder’s financial intermediary (if shares are not held directly with the Funds).

 

More information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account is available through your state or by calling 1-844-426-8721.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Funds distribute their net investment income, and make distributions of their net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund’s record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution.

 

You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify a Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice.

 

Taxes

 

Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific questions about U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. Below is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. This summary does not apply to shares held in an IRA or other tax-qualified plans, which are not subject to current tax. Transactions relating to shares held in such accounts may, however, be taxable at some time in the future.

 

Each Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”). If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a RIC is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, a Fund’s failure to qualify as a RIC or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

 

41 

 

Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state, and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from each Fund may be taxable whether you receive them in cash or you reinvest them in additional shares of a Fund. Income distributions, including distributions of net short term capital gains but excluding distributions of qualified dividend income, are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates. Distributions reported by a Fund as long term capital gains and as qualified dividend income are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains and currently set at a maximum tax rate for individuals of 20% (lower rates apply to individuals in lower tax brackets). Once a year the Funds (or their administrative agent) will send you a statement showing the types and total amount of distributions you received during the previous year. The Funds’ investment strategies may limit their ability to make distributions eligible for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income.

 

You should note that if you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price would reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution. In this case, you would be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of your investment. This is known as “buying a dividend” and should be avoided by taxable investors.

 

Each sale of Fund shares may be a taxable event. For tax purposes, an exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different fund is the same as a sale. The gain or loss on the sale of Fund shares generally will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss if you held the shares for 12 months or less or as long-term capital gain or loss if you held the shares for longer. Any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by you with respect to the Fund shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if you purchase other substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly) are subject to a 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and capital gains (including capital gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares of a Fund).

 

The Funds (or their administrative agent) must report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Fund shareholders cost basis information for Fund shares. In addition to reporting the gross proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, the Funds are also required to report the cost basis information for such shares and indicate whether these shares have a short-term or long-term holding period. For each sale of Fund shares, the Funds will permit shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods, including the average cost basis method. In the absence of an election, the Funds will use the average cost basis method as the default cost basis method. The cost basis method elected by the Fund shareholder (or the cost basis method applied by default) for each sale of Fund shares may not be changed after the settlement date of each such sale of Fund shares. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how cost basis reporting applies to them. Shareholders also should carefully review the cost basis information provided to them by the Funds and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns.

 

The Funds may be subject to foreign withholding taxes with respect to dividends or interest the Funds receive from sources in foreign countries. If more than 50% of the total assets of a Fund consists of foreign securities, the Fund will be eligible to elect to treat some of those taxes as a distribution to shareholders, which would allow shareholders to offset some of their U.S. federal income tax. The Funds (or their administrative agent) will notify you if they make such an election and provide you with the information necessary to reflect foreign taxes paid on your income tax return.

 

42 

 

Because each shareholder’s tax situation is different, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax implications of an investment in the Funds.

 

More information about taxes is in the SAI.

 

Additional Information

 

The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds’ investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, accountants, administrator and distributor, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual shareholder or group of shareholders any right to enforce the terms of the contractual arrangements against the service providers or to seek any remedy under the contractual arrangements against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.

 

This prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the Funds. The Funds may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this prospectus, the SAI or any document filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, is intended to, nor does it, give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any shareholder, or give rise to any contract or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

 

43 

 

Financial Highlights

 

Because the Funds have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, financial highlights are not available.

 

44 

 

THE ADVISORS’ INNER CIRCLE FUND III

NINETY ONE FUNDS

 

Investment Adviser

 

Ninety One North America, Inc.

65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

Distributor

 

SEI Investments Distribution Co.

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

 

Transfer Agent

 

DST Systems, Inc.

333 W. 11th Street

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

 

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

40 Water Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[XX]

 

Legal Counsel

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

1701 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

 

More information about the Funds is available, without charge, through the following:

 

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”): The SAI, dated [date], as it may be amended from time to time, includes detailed information about the Funds and The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III. The SAI is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus.

 

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports: These reports list the Funds’ holdings and contain information from the Adviser about investment strategies, and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds.

 

 

 

To Obtain an SAI, Annual or Semi-Annual Report, or More Information:

 

By Telephone:1-844-426-8721
  
By Mail:Ninety One Funds
 P.O. Box 219009
 Kansas City, MO 64121-9009
  
By Internet:www.ninetyone.com

 

From the SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, as well as other information about The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at: http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at the following address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

The Trust’s Investment Company Act registration number is 811-22920.

 

[Inventory Code]

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED JUNE 16, 2021

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

NINETY ONE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND

I Shares: [XX]

A Shares: [XX]

 

NINETY ONE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE FUND

I Shares: [XX]

A Shares: [XX]

 

each, a series of

THE ADVISORS’ INNER CIRCLE FUND III

 

[Date]

 

Investment Adviser:

NINETY ONE NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III (the “Trust”) and the Ninety One Global Environment Fund and Ninety One International Franchise Fund (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”). This SAI is incorporated by reference into and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ prospectus dated [Date], as it may be amended from time to time (the “Prospectus”). Shareholders may obtain copies of the Prospectus or the Funds’ annual or semi-annual report, when available, free of charge by writing to the Funds at Ninety One Funds, P.O. Box 219009, Kansas City, MO 64121-9009 (Express Mail Address: Ninety One Funds, c/o DST Systems, Inc., 430 West 7th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105) or calling the Fund at 1-844-426-8721.

 

i 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST S-XX
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS S-XX
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS S-XX
THE ADVISER S-XX
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS S-XX
THE ADMINISTRATOR S-XX
THE DISTRIBUTOR S-XX
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES S-XX
THE TRANSFER AGENT S-XX
THE CUSTODIAN S-XX
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM S-XX
LEGAL COUNSEL S-XX
SECURITIES LENDING S-XX
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST S-XX
PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES S-XX
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE S-XX
TAXES S-XX
FUND TRANSACTIONS S-XX
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS S-XX
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES S-XX
LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES’ LIABILITY S-XX
PROXY VOTING S-XX
CODES OF ETHICS S-XX
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND CONTROL PERSONS S-XX
APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS A-1
APPENDIX B – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES B-1

 

[Date] [Inventory Code]

 

ii 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust. The Trust is an open-end investment management company established under Delaware law as a Delaware statutory trust under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 4, 2013, as amended September 10, 2020 (the “Declaration of Trust”). The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series (“funds”) of shares of beneficial interest (“shares”). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. Each fund is a separate mutual fund or exchange-traded fund ("ETF"), and each share of each fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund, and all assets of such fund, belong solely to that fund and would be subject to any liabilities related thereto. Each fund of the Trust pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing and insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses and (ii) pro rata share of the fund’s other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets. The other funds of the Trust are described in one or more separate statements of additional information.

 

Description of Multiple Classes of Shares. The Trust is authorized to offer shares of the Funds in I Shares and A Shares. The different classes provide for variations in sales charges and certain distribution expenses. Investor eligibility is described in the Prospectus. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional classes of shares. For more information on distribution expenses, see the “Payments to Financial Intermediaries” section in this SAI.

 

Voting Rights. Each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each share held on the record date for the meeting. Each Fund will vote separately on matters relating solely to it. As a Delaware statutory trust, the Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Approval of shareholders will be sought, however, for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (each, a “Trustee” and collectively, the “Trustees” or the “Board”) under certain circumstances. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the power to liquidate each Fund without shareholder approval. While the Trustees have no present intention of exercising this power, they may do so if any Fund fails to reach a viable size within a reasonable amount of time or for such other reasons as may be determined by the Board.

 

In addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting.

 

Any series of the Trust may reorganize or merge with one or more other series of the Trust or of another investment company. Any such reorganization or merger shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in an agreement and plan of reorganization authorized and approved by the Trustees and entered into by the relevant series in connection therewith. In addition, such reorganization or merger may be authorized by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office and, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Declaration of Trust, without the approval of shareholders of any series.

 

Non-Diversification. Each Fund is non-diversified, as that term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means that it may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund, which increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by a Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a “diversified” fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the value of the shares of a Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than the shares of a “diversified” fund would be. Each Fund, however, intends to satisfy the diversification requirements necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). For more information, see “Taxes” below.

 

S-1 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

 

Each Fund's investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the Prospectus. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus. The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices of the Funds and the associated risk factors. Each Fund may invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices unless such investment or activity is inconsistent with or is not permitted by the Fund’s stated investment policies, including those stated below.

 

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”)

 

ADRs, as well as other “hybrid” forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts are securities that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities that have been deposited with a “depository” and may be sponsored or unsponsored. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

 

For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other depositary receipts, the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs are issued in registered form, denominated in U.S. dollars, and designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. Other depositary receipts, such as GDRs and EDRs, may be issued in bearer form and denominated in other currencies, and are generally designed for use in securities markets outside the U.S. While the two types of depositary receipt facilities (unsponsored or sponsored) are similar, there are differences regarding a holder’s rights and obligations and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or acquiescence of) the underlying issuer; typically, however, the depository requests a letter of non-objection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depository usually charges fees upon deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services.

 

Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depository and the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depository, and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although most sponsored depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholders meetings, voting instructions, and other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the underlying issuer’s request. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

 

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For purposes of a Fund’s investment policies, investments in depositary receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. Thus, a depositary receipt representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock. Depositary receipts do not eliminate all of the risks associated with directly investing in the securities of foreign issuers.

 

Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally speaking, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than are those in the United States.

 

Convertible Securities

 

Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, that Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

 

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

 

S-3 

 

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company or partnership and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and rights to acquire common stock, securities convertible into common stock, and investments in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a Fund invests will cause the net asset value of the Fund to fluctuate. The Funds may purchase equity securities traded on global securities exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:

 

Types of Equity Securities:

 

Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

 

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

 

Alternative Entity Securities. Alternative entity securities are the securities of entities that are formed as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts or other non-corporate entities that are similar to common or preferred stock of corporations.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. An ETF is a fund whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange as if it were a single security. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. Some examples of ETFs are SPDRs®, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking StockSM (“QQQsSM”), and iShares®. A Fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. Similarly, a Fund may establish a short position in an ETF to gain inverse exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign markets. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the securities in which the ETF invests, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the ETF's holdings, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying holdings directly. See also “Securities of Other Investment Companies” below.

 

Rights and Warrants. A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price. Warrants are securities that are usually issued together with a debt security or preferred stock and that give the holder the right to buy proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price. Warrants are freely transferable and are traded on major exchanges. Unlike rights, warrants normally have a life that is measured in years and entitles the holder to buy common stock of a company at a price that is usually higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. Corporations often issue warrants to make the accompanying debt security more attractive.

 

S-4 

 

An investment in warrants and rights may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. Investing in rights and warrants increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying securities.

 

Micro, Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Investing in equity securities of micro, small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of micro and smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of micro and smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.

 

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”). A Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies offering shares in IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified performance impact on a fund with a small asset base. A Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time, which may increase the turnover of a Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, a Fund may realize taxable gains it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for a Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Holders of IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders.

 

A Fund’s investment in IPO shares may include the securities of unseasoned companies (companies with less than three years of continuous operations), which presents risks considerably greater than common stocks of more established companies. These companies may have limited operating histories and their prospects for profitability may be uncertain. These companies may be involved in new and evolving businesses and may be vulnerable to competition and changes in technology, markets and economic conditions. They may be more dependent on key managers and third parties and may have limited product lines.

 

General Risks of Investing in Stocks:

 

While investing in stocks allows investors to participate in the benefits of owning a company, such investors must accept the risks of ownership. Unlike bondholders, who have preference to a company’s earnings and cash flow, preferred stockholders, followed by common stockholders in order of priority, are entitled only to the residual amount after a company meets its other obligations. For this reason, the value of a company’s stock will usually react more strongly to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects than its debt obligations. Stockholders of a company that fares poorly can lose money.

 

S-5 

 

Stock markets tend to move in cycles with short or extended periods of rising and falling stock prices. The value of a company’s stock may fall because of:

 

Factors that directly relate to that company, such as decisions made by its management or lower demand for the company’s products or services;

 

Factors affecting an entire industry, such as increases in production costs; and

 

Changes in general financial market conditions that are relatively unrelated to the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or inflation rates.

 

Because preferred stock is generally junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

 

A REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Code. The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things: invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs), cash and government securities; derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property; and distribute annually 90% or more of its otherwise taxable income to shareholders.

 

REITs are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings; a Mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans.

 

REITs may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which a Fund invests may concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types. Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs. Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of a Fund’s investments to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such Mortgage REITs. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent. The above factors may adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.

 

Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders. In addition, REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.

 

S-6 

 

Master Limited Partnerships

 

MLPs are limited partnerships or limited liability companies, whose partnership units or limited liability interests are listed and traded on a U.S. securities exchange, and are treated as publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. To qualify to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of mineral or natural resources. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are concentrated in a particular industry or sector, such as the energy sector, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or sector.

 

MLPs that are formed as limited partnerships generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners, while MLPs that are formed as limited liability companies generally have two analogous classes of owners, the managing member and the members. For purposes of this section, references to general partners also apply to managing members and references to limited partners also apply to members.

 

The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an equity interest of as much as 2% in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. A holder of general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder’s investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests are not publicly traded and generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unitholders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited partner unitholders.

 

Limited partners own the remainder of the MLP through ownership of common units and have a limited role in the MLP’s operations and management. Common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability annually to elect directors. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

 

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

 

S-7 

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

 

ETNs are generally notes representing debt of the issuer, usually a financial institution. ETNs combine both aspects of bonds and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of one or more underlying assets, reference rates or indexes, minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the specific asset, index or rate (“reference instrument”) to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected. ETNs are not registered or regulated as investment companies under the 1940 Act.

 

The value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, the performance of the reference instrument, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the reference instrument. An ETN that is tied to a reference instrument may not replicate the performance of the reference instrument. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable reference instrument. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Levered ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. Finally, additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid.

 

Because the return on the ETN is dependent on the issuer’s ability or willingness to meet its obligations, the value of the ETN may change due to a change in the issuer’s credit rating, despite no change in the underlying reference instrument. The market value of ETN shares may differ from the value of the reference instrument. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the assets underlying the reference instrument that the ETN seeks to track.

 

There may be restrictions on a Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which are generally meant to be held until maturity. A Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. A Fund could lose some or all of the amount invested in an ETN.

 

Foreign Securities

 

Foreign securities include equity securities of foreign entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including, without limitation, European Certificates of Deposit, European Time Deposits, European Bankers’ Acceptances, Canadian Time Deposits, Europaper and Yankee Certificates of Deposit, and investments in Canadian Commercial Paper and foreign securities. These instruments have investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.

 

S-8 

 

Investments in Emerging Markets. Investing in emerging markets involves additional risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in other more established economies or markets. Such risks may include (i) increased risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (ii) greater social, economic and political uncertainty, including war; (iii) higher dependence on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (iv) greater volatility, less liquidity and smaller capitalization of markets; (v) greater volatility in currency exchange rates; (vi) greater risk of inflation; (vii) greater controls on foreign investment and limitations on realization of investments, repatriation of invested capital and on the ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (viii) increased likelihood of governmental involvement in and control over the economy; (ix) governmental decisions to cease support of economic reform programs or to impose centrally planned economies; (x) differences in auditing and financial reporting standards which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; (xi) less extensive regulation of the markets; (xii) longer settlement periods for transactions and less reliable clearance and custody arrangements; (xiii) less developed corporate laws regarding fiduciary duties of officers and directors and the protection of investors; (xiv) certain considerations regarding the maintenance of a Fund’s securities with local brokers and securities depositories and (xv) the imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, other income or gross sale or disposition proceeds.

 

Repatriation of investment income, assets and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such repatriation or by withholding taxes imposed by emerging market countries on interest or dividends paid on securities held by the Fund or gains from the disposition of such securities.

 

In emerging markets, there is often less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, over-the-counter markets, brokers, dealers, counterparties and issuers than in other more established markets. Any regulatory supervision that is in place may be subject to manipulation or control. Some emerging market countries do not have mature legal systems comparable to those of more developed countries. Moreover, the process of legal and regulatory reform may not be proceeding at the same pace as market developments, which could result in investment risk. Legislation to safeguard the rights of private ownership may not yet be in place in certain areas, and there may be the risk of conflict among local, regional and national requirements. In certain cases, the laws and regulations governing investments in securities may not exist or may be subject to inconsistent or arbitrary appreciation or interpretation. Both the independence of judicial systems and their immunity from economic, political or nationalistic influences remain largely untested in many countries. A Fund may also encounter difficulties in pursuing legal remedies or in obtaining and enforcing judgments in local courts.

 

S-9 

 

Sovereign Debt Obligations. Sovereign debt obligations are issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. Governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and pay interest when due, and may require renegotiation or reschedule of debt payments. In addition, prospects for repayment of principal and payment of interest may depend on political as well as economic factors. Although some sovereign debt, such as Brady Bonds, is collateralized by U.S. government securities, repayment of principal and payment of interest is not guaranteed by the U.S. government.

 

Foreign Agency Debt Obligations. A Fund may invest in uncollateralized bonds issued by agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities of foreign governments. Bonds issued by these foreign government agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities are generally backed only by the creditworthiness and reputation of the entities issuing the bonds and may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the foreign government. Moreover, a foreign government that explicitly provides its full faith and credit to a particular entity may be, due to changed circumstances, unable or unwilling to provide that support. A foreign agency’s operations and financial condition are influenced by the foreign government’s economic and other policies. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of a foreign government may cause the value of debt issued by that particular foreign government’s agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities to decline. During periods of economic uncertainty, the trading of foreign agency bonds may be less liquid while market prices may be more volatile than prices of other bonds. Additional risks associated with foreign agency investing include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations; political instability; and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital.

 

Obligations of Supranational Entities. Supranational entities are entities established through the joint participation of several governments, and include the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, African Development Bank, European Economic Community, European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank. The governmental members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and, in many cases, are committed to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of a supranational entity will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and a Fund may lose money on such investments.

 

Investment Funds. Some emerging countries currently prohibit direct foreign investment in the securities of their companies. Certain emerging countries, however, permit indirect foreign investment in the securities of companies listed and traded on their stock exchanges through investment funds that they have specifically authorized. Investments in these investment funds are subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act. If a Fund invests in such investment funds, shareholders will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses (including operating expenses and the fees of the Adviser), but also will indirectly bear similar expenses of the underlying investment funds. In addition, these investment funds may trade at a premium over their net asset value.

 

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Risks of Foreign Securities:

 

Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

 

Political and Economic Factors. Local political, economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments may affect the value of foreign investments. Listed below are some of the more important political and economic factors that could negatively affect an investment in foreign securities:

 

The economies of foreign countries may differ from the economy of the United States in such areas as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, budget deficits and national debt;

 

Foreign governments sometimes participate to a significant degree, through ownership interests or regulation, in their respective economies. Actions by these governments could significantly influence the market prices of securities and payment of dividends;

 

The economies of many foreign countries are dependent on international trade and their trading partners and they could be severely affected if their trading partners were to enact protective trade barriers and economic conditions;

 

The internal policies of a particular foreign country may be less stable than in the United States. Other countries face significant external political risks, such as possible claims of sovereignty by other countries or tense and sometimes hostile border clashes; and

 

A foreign government may act adversely to the interests of U.S. investors, including expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation and other restrictions on U.S. investment. A country may restrict or control foreign investments in its securities markets. These restrictions could limit a Fund’s ability to invest in a particular country or make it very expensive for the Fund to invest in that country. Some countries require prior governmental approval or limit the types or amount of securities or companies in which a foreigner can invest. Other countries may restrict the ability of foreign investors to repatriate their investment income and capital gains.

 

Periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may result in a Fund having to sell such prohibited securities at inopportune times. Such prohibited securities may have less liquidity as a result of such U.S. Government designation and the market price of such prohibited securities may decline, which may cause the Fund to incur losses.

 

On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (the “UK”) formally withdrew from the European Union (the “EU”) (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) and entered an 11-month transition period during which the UK remained part of the EU single market and customs union, the laws of which governed the economic, trade and security relations between the UK and EU. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and the UK left the EU single market and customs union under the terms of a new trade agreement. The agreement governs the new relationship between the UK and EU with respect to trading goods and services, but critical aspects of the relationship remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation and agreement. The political, regulatory and economic consequences of Brexit are uncertain, and the ultimate ramifications may not be known for some time. The effects of Brexit on the UK and EU economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in negative impacts, such as business and trade disruptions, increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth of markets in the UK, EU and globally, which could negatively impact the value of the Funds' investments. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent national laws and regulations while the new relationship between the UK and EU is further defined and the UK determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. Additionally, depreciation of the British pound sterling and/or the euro in relation to the U.S. dollar following Brexit could adversely affect Fund investments denominated in the British pound sterling and/or the euro, regardless of the performance of the investment. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments due to the interconnected nature of the global economy and capital markets.

 

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Information and Supervision. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than companies based in the United States. For example, there are often no reports and ratings published about foreign companies comparable to the ones written about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are typically not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The lack of comparable information makes investment decisions concerning foreign companies more difficult and less reliable than those concerning domestic companies.

 

Stock Exchange and Market Risk. The Adviser anticipates that in most cases an exchange or over-the-counter market located outside of the United States will be the best available market for foreign securities. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as the markets in the United States. Foreign stock markets tend to differ from those in the United States in a number of ways.

 

Foreign stock markets:

 

Are generally more volatile than, and not as developed or efficient as, those in the United States;

 

Have substantially less volume;

 

Trade securities that tend to be less liquid and experience rapid and erratic price movements;

 

Have generally higher commissions and are subject to set minimum rates, as opposed to negotiated rates;

 

Employ trading, settlement and custodial practices less developed than those in U.S. markets; and

 

May have different settlement practices, which may cause delays and increase the potential for failed settlements.

 

Foreign markets may offer less protection to shareholders than U.S. markets because:

 

Foreign accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements may render a foreign corporate balance sheet more difficult to understand and interpret than one subject to U.S. law and standards;

 

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Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available, and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis;

 

In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the United States;

 

Over-the-counter markets tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain countries, may be totally unregulated;

 

Economic or political concerns may influence regulatory enforcement and may make it difficult for shareholders to enforce their legal rights; and

 

Restrictions on transferring securities within the United States or to U.S. persons may make a particular security less liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.

 

Foreign Currency Risk. While the Funds denominate their net asset value in U.S. dollars, the securities of foreign companies are frequently denominated in foreign currencies. Thus, a change in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in value of securities denominated in that currency. Some of the factors that may impair the investments denominated in a foreign currency are:

 

It may be expensive to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars and vice versa;

 

Complex political and economic factors may significantly affect the values of various currencies, including the U.S. dollar, and their exchange rates;

 

Government intervention may increase risks involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts, since exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other market forces;

 

There may be no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis;

 

Available quotation information is generally representative of very large round-lot transactions in the inter-bank market and thus may not reflect exchange rates for smaller odd-lot transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable; and

 

The inter-bank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that a market is closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, certain markets may not always reflect significant price and rate movements.

 

Taxes. Certain foreign governments levy withholding taxes on dividend and interest income. Although in some countries it is possible for the Funds to recover a portion of these taxes, the portion that cannot be recovered will reduce the income the Funds receive from their investments.

 

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Investment in the People’s Republic of China (“China”)

 

China is an emerging market, and as a result, investments in securities of companies organized and listed in China may be subject to liquidity constraints and significantly higher volatility, from time to time, than investments in securities of more developed markets. China may be subject to considerable government intervention and varying degrees of economic, political and social instability. These factors may result in, among other things, a greater risk of stock market, interest rate, and currency fluctuations, as well as inflation. Accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in China are different from U.S. standards and, therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, may be less available, or may be less reliable. It may also be difficult or impossible for a Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment in a Chinese court. In addition, periodically there may be restrictions on investments in Chinese companies. For example, on November 12, 2020, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order prohibiting U.S. persons from purchasing or investing in publicly-traded securities of companies identified by the U.S. Government as “Communist Chinese military companies” or in instruments that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, those companies. The universe of affected securities can change from time to time. As a result of an increase in the number of investors looking to sell such securities, or because of an inability to participate in an investment that the Adviser otherwise believes is attractive, a Fund may incur losses. Certain securities that are or become designated as prohibited securities may have less liquidity as a result of such designation and the market price of such prohibited securities may decline, potentially causing losses to a Fund. In addition, the market for securities of other Chinese-based issuers may also be negatively impacted, resulting in reduced liquidity and price declines.

 

A Fund may incur losses due to limited investment capabilities, or may not be able to fully implement or pursue its investment objective or strategy, due to local investment restrictions, illiquidity of the Chinese domestic securities market, and/or delay or disruption in execution and settlement of trades.

 

Investments in China A Shares. A Fund may invest in A Shares of companies based in China through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (collectively, “Stock Connect”) subject to any applicable regulatory limits. Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing linked program developed by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”), the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”), Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”) and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited (“ChinaClear”) with the aim of achieving mutual stock market access between China and Hong Kong. This program allows foreign investors to trade certain SSE-listed or SZSE-listed China A Shares through their Hong Kong based brokers. All Hong Kong and overseas investors in Stock Connect will trade and settle SSE or SZSE securities in the offshore Renminbi (“CNH”) only. A Fund will be exposed to any fluctuation in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and CNH in respect of such investments.

 

By seeking to invest in the domestic securities markets of China via Stock Connect a Fund is subject to the following additional risks:

 

General Risks. The relevant regulations are relatively untested and subject to change. There is no certainty as to how they will be applied, which could adversely affect the Fund. The program requires use of new information technology systems which may be subject to operational risk due to the program’s cross-border nature. If the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both Hong Kong and Chinese markets through the program could be disrupted.

 

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Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the Chinese and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when it is a normal trading day for the Chinese market but Stock Connect is not trading. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations in China A Shares when the Fund cannot carry out any China A Shares trading.

 

Foreign Shareholding Restrictions. The trading, acquisition, disposal and holding of securities under Stock Connect are subject at all times to applicable law, which imposes purchasing and holding limits. These limitations and restrictions may have the effect of restricting an investor’s ability to purchase, subscribe for or hold any China A Shares or to take up any entitlements in respect of such shares, or requiring an investor to reduce its holding in any securities, whether generally or at a particular point of time, and whether by way of forced sale or otherwise. As such, investors may incur loss arising from such limitations, restrictions and/or forced sale.

 

China A Shares Market Suspension Risk. China A Shares may only be bought from, or sold to, the Fund at times when the relevant China A Shares may be sold or purchased on the relevant Chinese stock exchange. SSE and SZSE typically have the right to suspend or limit trading in any security traded on the relevant exchange if necessary to ensure an orderly and fair market and that risks are managed prudently. In the event of the suspension, the Fund’s ability to access the Chinese market will be adversely affected.

 

Clearing and Settlement Risk. HKSCC and ChinaClear have established the clearing links and each will become a participant of each other to facilitate clearing and settlement of cross-boundary trades. For cross-boundary trades initiated in a market, the clearing house of that market will on one hand clear and settle with its own clearing participants and on the other hand undertake to fulfill the clearing and settlement obligations of its clearing participants with the counterparty clearing house.

 

In the event ChinaClear defaults, HKSCC’s liabilities under its market contracts with clearing participants may be limited to assisting clearing participants with claims. It is anticipated that HKSCC will act in good faith to seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from ChinaClear through available legal channels or the liquidation of ChinaClear. Regardless, the process of recovery could be delayed and the Fund may not fully recover its losses or its Stock Connect securities.

 

Legal/Beneficial Ownership. Where securities are held in custody on a cross-border basis there are specific legal and beneficial ownership risks linked to the compulsory requirements of the local central securities depositaries, HKSCC and ChinaClear.

 

As in other emerging markets, the legislative framework is only beginning to develop the concept of legal/formal ownership and of beneficial ownership or interest in securities. In addition, HKSCC, as nominee holder, does not guarantee the title to Stock Connect securities held through it and is under no obligation to enforce title or other rights associated with ownership on behalf of beneficial owners. Consequently, the courts may consider that any nominee or custodian as registered holder of Stock Connect securities would have full ownership thereof, and that those Stock Connect securities would form part of the pool of assets of such entity available for distribution to creditors of such entities and/or that a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof. Consequently, neither the Fund nor its custodian can ensure that the Fund’s ownership of these securities or title thereto is assured.

 

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To the extent that HKSCC is deemed to be performing safekeeping functions with respect to assets held through it, it should be noted that the Fund and its custodian will have no legal relationship with HKSCC and no direct legal recourse against HKSCC in the event that the Fund suffers losses resulting from the performance or insolvency of HKSCC. In the event that the Fund suffers losses due to the negligence, or willful default, or insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not be able to institute legal proceedings, file any proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. In the event of the insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not have any proprietary interest in the China A Shares traded through the Stock Connect program and may be an unsecured general creditor in respect of any claim the Fund may have in respect of them. Consequently, the value of the Fund’s investment in China A Shares and the amount of its income and gains could be adversely affected.

 

Operational Risk. The HKSCC provides clearing, settlement, nominee functions and other related services in respect of trades executed by Hong Kong market participants. Chinese regulations which include certain restrictions on selling and buying will apply to all market participants. Trading via Stock Connect may require pre-delivery or pre-validation of cash or shares to or by a broker. If the cash or shares are not in the broker’s possession before the market opens on the day of selling, the sell order will be rejected. As a result, the Fund may not be able to purchase and/or dispose of holdings of China A Shares in a timely manner.

 

Day Trading Restrictions. Day (turnaround) trading is not permitted through Stock Connect. Investors buying A Shares on day T can only sell the shares on and after day T+1 subject to any Stock Connect rules.

 

Quota Limitations. The Stock Connect program is subject to daily quota limitations which may restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in China A Shares through the program on a timely basis.

 

Investor Compensation. The Fund will not benefit from the China Securities Investor Protection Fund in mainland China. The China Securities Investor Protection Fund is established to pay compensation to investors in the event that a securities company in mainland China is subject to compulsory regulatory measures (such as dissolution, closure, bankruptcy, and administrative takeover by the China Securities Regulatory Commission). Since the Fund is carrying out trading of China A Shares through securities brokers in Hong Kong, but not mainland China brokers, therefore, it is not protected by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund.

 

That said, if the Fund suffers losses due to default matters of its securities brokers in Hong Kong in relation to the investment of China A Shares through the Stock Connect program, it would be compensated by Hong Kong’s Investor Compensation Fund.

 

Tax within China. Uncertainties in Chinese tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments in A Shares via Stock Connect could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Funds. A Fund’s investments in securities, including A Shares, issued by Chinese companies may cause the Fund to become subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by China.

 

If a Fund were considered to be a tax resident of China, it would be subject to Chinese corporate income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If a Fund were considered to be a non-resident enterprise with a “permanent establishment” in China, it would be subject to Chinese corporate income tax of 25% on the profits attributable to the permanent establishment. The Adviser intends to operate the Funds in a manner that will prevent them from being treated as a tax resident of China and from having a permanent establishment in China. It is possible, however, that China could disagree with that conclusion, or that changes in Chinese tax law could affect the Chinese corporate income tax status of the Funds.

 

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China generally imposes withholding income tax at a rate of 10% on dividends, premiums, interest and capital gains originating in China and paid to a company that is not a resident of China for tax purposes and that has no permanent establishment in China. The withholding is in general made by the relevant Chinese tax resident company making such payments. In the event the relevant Chinese tax resident company fails to withhold the relevant Chinese withholding income tax or otherwise fails to pay the relevant withholding income tax to Chinese tax authorities, the competent tax authorities may, at their sole discretion, impose tax obligations on a Fund.

 

The Ministry of Finance of China, the State Administration of Taxation of China and the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued Caishui [2014] No. 81 on October 31, 2014 (“Notice 81”) and Caishui [2016] No. 127 on November 5, 2016 (“Notice 127”), both of which state that the capital gain from disposal of China A Shares by foreign investors enterprises via Stock Connect will be temporarily exempt from withholding income tax. Notice 81 and Notice 127 also state that the dividends derived from A Shares by foreign investors enterprises is subject to a 10% withholding income tax.

 

There is no indication of how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect and the Funds may be subject to such withholding income tax in the future. If, in the future, China begins applying tax rules regarding the taxation of income from investments through Stock Connect and/or begins collecting capital gains taxes on such investments, a Fund could be subject to withholding income tax liability if the Fund determines that such liability cannot be reduced or eliminated by applicable tax treaties. The Chinese tax authorities may in the future issue further guidance in this regard and with potential retrospective effect. The negative impact of any such tax liability on a Fund’s return could be substantial.

 

In light of the uncertainty as to how gains or income that may be derived from a Fund’s investments in China will be taxed, the Fund reserves the right to provide for withholding tax on such gains or income and withhold tax for the account of the Fund. Withholding tax may already be withheld at a broker/custodian level.

 

Any tax provision, if made, will be reflected in the net asset value of a Fund at the time the provision is used to satisfy tax liabilities. If the actual applicable tax levied by the Chinese tax authorities is greater than that provided for by a Fund so that there is a shortfall in the tax provision amount, the net asset value of the Fund may suffer as the Fund will have to bear additional tax liabilities. In this case, then existing and new shareholders in the Fund will be disadvantaged. If the actual applicable tax levied by Chinese tax authorities is less than that provided for by a Fund so that there is an excess in the tax provision amount, shareholders who redeemed Fund shares before the Chinese tax authorities’ ruling, decision or guidance may have been disadvantaged as they would have borne any loss from the Fund’s overprovision. In this case, the then existing and new shareholders in the Fund may benefit if the difference between the tax provision and the actual taxation liability can be returned to the account of the Fund as assets thereof. Any excess in the tax provision amount shall be treated as property of the Fund, and shareholders who previously transferred or redeemed their Fund shares will not be entitled or have any right to claim any part of the amount representing the excess.

 

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Stamp duty under the Chinese laws generally applies to the execution and receipt of taxable documents, which include contracts for the sale of A Shares traded on Chinese stock exchanges. In the case of such contracts, the stamp duty is currently imposed on the seller but not on the purchaser, at the rate of 0.1%. The sale or other transfer by the Adviser of A Shares will accordingly be subject to Chinese stamp duty, but a Fund will not be subject to Chinese stamp duty when it acquires A Shares.

 

The Funds may also potentially be subject to Chinese value added tax at the rate of 6% on capital gains derived from trading of A Shares and interest income (if any). Existing guidance provides a temporary value added tax exemption for Hong Kong and overseas investors in respect of their gains derived from the trading of Chinese securities through Stock Connect. Because there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Funds may be subject to such value added tax in the future. In addition, urban maintenance and construction tax (currently at rates ranging from 1% to 7%), educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 3%) and local educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 2%) (collectively, the “surtaxes”) are imposed based on value added tax liabilities, so if a Fund were liable for value added tax it would also be required to pay the applicable surtaxes.

 

The Chinese rules for taxation of Stock Connect are evolving, and certain of the tax regulations to be issued by the State Administration of Taxation of China and/or Ministry of Finance of China to clarify the subject matter may apply retrospectively, even if such rules are adverse to the Funds and their shareholders. The imposition of taxes, particularly on a retrospective basis, could have a material adverse effect on a Fund’s returns. Before further guidance is issued and is well established in the administrative practice of the Chinese tax authorities, the practices of the Chinese tax authorities that collect Chinese taxes relevant to a Fund may differ from, or be applied in a manner inconsistent with, the practices with respect to the analogous investments described herein or any further guidance that may be issued. The value of a Fund’s investment in China and the amount of its income and gains could be adversely affected by an increase in tax rates or change in the taxation basis.

 

The above information is only a general summary of the potential Chinese tax consequences that may be imposed on the Funds and their shareholders either directly or indirectly and should not be taken as a definitive, authoritative or comprehensive statement of the relevant matter. Shareholders should seek their own tax advice on their tax position with regard to their investment in the Funds.

 

The Chinese government has implemented a number of tax reform policies in recent years. The current tax laws and regulations may be revised or amended in the future. Any revision or amendment in tax laws and regulations may affect the after-taxation profit of Chinese companies and foreign investors in such companies, such as the Funds.

 

In the event that the Adviser obtains Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) qualifications, and because the Adviser has obtained Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“RQFII”) qualifications, from Chinese regulatory authorities, QFII or RQFII investments may cause a Fund to become subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by China.

 

If a QFII or RQFII were considered to be a tax resident enterprise of China, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If the QFII or RQFII were considered to be a non-tax resident enterprise with a “permanent establishment” in China, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax on the profits attributable to the permanent establishment. Therefore, the QFII or RQFII should be managed and operated in a manner that will prevent it from being treated as a tax resident enterprise of China and from having a permanent establishment in China.

 

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The Chinese government generally imposes withholding tax at a rate of 10% on dividends derived by a QFII or RQFII from investments in issuers resident in China. China also imposes withholding tax at a rate of 10% on capital gains derived by nonresident enterprises from investments in an issuer resident in China. The withholding taxes on dividends and capital gains may in principle be subject to a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty, but the application of such treaties in the case of a QFII or RQFII acting for foreign investors is also uncertain.

 

Currently, a QFII or RQFII is expected to be temporarily exempt from withholding tax on capital gains out of trading securities in China effective from November 17, 2014 onward. Since there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, a QFII or RQFII may be subject to such withholding tax in the future.

 

Although previously the Adviser may have been liable for a business tax and associated surcharges, as of May 1, 2016, as a result of the national reform of the taxation system, such types of transactions or services are no longer subject to a business tax. Instead, a value added tax may be imposed at the rate of 6% on capital gains derived from trading PRC securities and interest income (if any), but a QFII or RQFII is currently exempt from such a value added tax. Because there is no indication of how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Adviser may be subject to such value added tax in the future. In addition, an urban maintenance and construction tax (currently at rates ranging from 1% to 7%), an educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 3%) and a local educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 2%) (collectively the “surtaxes”) are imposed based on value added tax liabilities, so if the Adviser were liable for a value added tax it would also be required to pay the applicable surtaxes.

 

Finally, largely due to the recent reforms of the business tax and the conversion to a value added tax regime, please note that Chinese rules for taxation of QFIIs and RQFIIs are evolving and the tax regulations to be issued by the China State Administration of Taxation and/or China Ministry of Finance to clarify the subject matter may apply retrospectively, even if such rules are adverse to the QFII or RQFII and its investors. The imposition of such taxes, particularly on a retrospective basis, could have a material adverse effect on the return of the QFII or RQFII.

 

Therefore, a Fund may establish a reserve for Chinese tax liabilities in the event that it invests in domestic securities issued onshore in China via QFII or RQFII. If there is a shortfall in the reserve, a Fund’s NAV may go down because the Fund will ultimately have to pay the additional tax liabilities. Each Fund may have to comply with China tax withholding regulations, and may incur and pay tax liabilities that cannot be reclaimed.

 

Money Market Securities

 

Money market securities include short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”), such as S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described below. For a description of ratings, see “Appendix A – Description of Ratings” to this SAI.

 

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U.S. Government Securities

 

The Funds may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity. Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”).

 

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency. Additionally, some obligations are issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. Guarantees of principal by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Funds’ shares.

 

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality (the “Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement” or “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the U.S. Treasury pledged to provide up to $200 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. This was intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was amending the Agreement to allow the $200 billion cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in net worth through the end of 2012. The unlimited support the U.S. Treasury extended to the two companies expired at the beginning of 2013 – Fannie Mae’s support is now capped at $125 billion and Freddie Mac has a limit of $149 billion.

 

On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the Agreement to terminate the requirement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each pay a 10% annual dividend. Instead, the companies will transfer to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis all profits earned during a quarter that exceed a capital reserve amount. The capital reserve amount was $3 billion in 2013, and decreased by $600 million in each subsequent year through 2017. It is believed that the new amendment puts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a better position to service their debt because the companies no longer have to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to make fixed dividend payments. As part of the new terms, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also will be required to reduce their investment portfolios over time. On December 21, 2017, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the Agreement to reinstate the $3 billion capital reserve amount.

 

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the subject of several continuing class action lawsuits and investigations by federal regulators over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may adversely affect the guaranteeing entities. Importantly, the future of the entities is in serious question as the U.S. government reportedly is considering multiple options, ranging from nationalization, privatization, consolidation, or abolishment of the entities.

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations, including those transferable through the Federal book-entry system known as Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”). The STRIPS program lets investors hold and trade the individual interest and principal components of eligible Treasury notes and bonds as separate securities. Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts separately.

 

Municipal Securities

 

Municipal securities, including municipal bonds and municipal notes, consist of: (i) debt obligations issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to be used for various public facilities, for refunding outstanding obligations, for general operating expenses and for lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities, and (ii) certain private activity and industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated facilities.

 

Municipal bonds are debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds, moral obligation bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue or special obligation bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility, such as tolls from a toll bridge. Private activity or industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-owned or -operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking or sewage or solid waste disposal facilities and certain other facilities. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property financed as security for such payment. Moral obligation bonds are normally issued by special purpose authorities. Moral obligation bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing municipality, but are generally backed by the agreement of the issuing authority to request appropriations from the municipality’s legislative body. Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement.

 

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Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. The maturities of the instruments at the time of issue will generally range from three months to one year.

 

Commercial Paper

 

Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.

 

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks

 

The Funds may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by the Funds. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Bank obligations include the following:

 

Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid investments.

 

Unsecured Bank Promissory Notes. Promissory notes are generally debt obligations of the issuing entity and are subject to the risks of investing in the banking industry.

 

Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities

 

Fixed income securities are considered investment grade if they are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by an NRSRO, or, if not rated, are determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. See “Appendix A – Description of Ratings” for a description of the bond rating categories of several NRSROs. Ratings of each NRSRO represent its opinion of the safety of principal and interest payments (and not the market risk) of bonds and other fixed income securities it undertakes to rate at the time of issuance. Ratings are not absolute standards of quality and may not reflect changes in an issuer’s creditworthiness. Fixed income securities rated BBB- or Baa3 lack outstanding investment characteristics, and have speculative characteristics as well. Securities rated Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P or higher are considered by those rating agencies to be “investment grade” securities, although Moody’s considers securities rated in the Baa category to have speculative characteristics. While issuers of bonds rated BBB by S&P are considered to have adequate capacity to meet their financial commitments, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal for debt in this category than debt in higher rated categories. In the event a security owned by a Fund is downgraded below investment grade, the Adviser will review the situation and take appropriate action with regard to the security, including the actions discussed below.

 

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Debt Securities

 

Corporations and governments use debt securities to borrow money from investors. Most debt securities promise a variable or fixed rate of return and repayment of the amount borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest and are purchased at a discount from their face value.

 

Corporate Bonds. Corporations issue bonds and notes to raise money for working capital or for capital expenditures such as plant construction, equipment purchases and expansion. In return for the money loaned to the corporation by investors, the corporation promises to pay investors interest, and repay the principal amount of the bond or note.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are interests in pools of mortgage loans that various governmental, government-related and private organizations assemble as securities for sale to investors. Unlike most debt securities, which pay interest periodically and repay principal at maturity or on specified call dates, mortgage-backed securities make monthly payments that consist of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Since homeowners usually have the option of paying either part or all of the loan balance before maturity, the effective maturity of a mortgage-backed security is often shorter than is stated.

 

Governmental entities, private insurers and mortgage poolers may insure or guarantee the timely payment of interest and principal of these pools through various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The Adviser will consider such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets its investment quality standards. It is possible that the private insurers or guarantors will not meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.

 

Although the market for such securities is becoming increasingly liquid, securities issued by certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.

 

Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional debt securities in a variety of ways. The most significant differences of mortgage-backed securities are: 1) payments of interest and principal are more frequent (usually monthly) and 2) falling interest rates generally cause individual borrowers to pay off their mortgage earlier than expected, which results in prepayments of principal on the securities, thus forcing a Fund to reinvest the money at a lower interest rate. In addition to risks associated with changes in interest rates, a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors, such as the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, can cause investors to repay the loans underlying a mortgage-backed security sooner than expected. When prepayment occurs, a Fund may have to reinvest its principal at a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing mortgage-backed securities.

 

Commercial Banks, Savings and Loan Institutions, Private Mortgage Insurance Companies, Mortgage Bankers and other Secondary Market Issuers. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional mortgage loans. In addition to guaranteeing the mortgage-related security, such issuers may service and/or have originated the underlying mortgage loans. Pools created by these issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than pools created by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because they are not guaranteed by a government agency.

 

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Other Asset-Backed Securities. These securities are interests in pools of a broad range of assets other than mortgages, such as automobile loans, computer leases and credit card receivables. Like mortgage-backed securities, these securities are pass-through. In general, the collateral supporting these securities is of shorter maturity than mortgage loans and is less likely to experience substantial prepayments with interest rate fluctuations, but may still be subject to prepayment risk.

 

Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets, which raises the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on these securities. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which allow debtors to reduce their balances by offsetting certain amounts owed on the credit cards. Most issuers of asset-backed securities backed by automobile receivables permit the servicers of such receivables to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related asset-backed securities. Due to the quantity of vehicles involved and requirements under state laws, asset-backed securities backed by automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables.

 

To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, the entity administering the pool of assets may agree to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion (“liquidity protection”). In addition, asset-backed securities may obtain insurance, such as guarantees, policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, for some or all of the assets in the pool (“credit support”). Delinquency or loss more than that anticipated or failure of the credit support could adversely affect the return on an investment in such a security.

 

The Funds may also invest in residual interests in asset-backed securities, which consist of the excess cash flow remaining after making required payments on the securities and paying related administrative expenses. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a particular issue of asset-backed securities depends in part on the characteristics of the underlying assets, the coupon rates on the securities, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the actual prepayment experience on the underlying assets.

 

Bank Loans. Bank loans typically are arranged through private negotiations between a borrower and several financial institutions or a group of lenders which are represented by one or more lenders acting as agent. The agent is often a commercial bank that originates the loan and invites other parties to join the lending syndicate. The agent will be primarily responsible for negotiating the loan agreement and will have responsibility for the documentation and ongoing administration of the loan on behalf of the lenders after completion of the loan transaction. The Funds can invest in a bank loan either as a direct lender or through an assignment or participation.

 

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When a Fund acts as a direct lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower and may participate in structuring the loan, may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may have voting, consent and set-off rights under the loan agreement.

 

Loan assignments are investments in all or a portion of certain bank loans purchased from the lenders or from other third parties. The purchaser of an assignment typically will acquire direct rights against the borrower under the loan. While the purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning lender under the loan agreement, because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, or other third parties whose interests are being assigned, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund may differ from and be more limited than those held by the assigning lender.

 

A holder of a loan participation typically has only a contractual right with the seller of the participation and not with the borrower or any other entities interpositioned between the seller of the participation and the borrower. As such, the purchaser of a loan participation assumes the credit risk of the seller of the participation, and any intermediary entities between the seller and the borrower, in addition to the credit risk of the borrower. When a Fund holds a loan participation, it will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and fees to which it may be entitled only from the seller of the participation and only upon receipt of the seller of such payments from the borrower or from any intermediary parties between the seller and the borrower. Additionally, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, will have no voting, consent or set-off rights under the loan agreement and may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan although lenders that sell participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such participations. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the seller or intermediary. If the borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may be subject to greater delays, expenses and risks than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation of such borrower.

 

Direct loans, assignments and loan participations may be considered liquid, as determined by the Adviser based on criteria approved by the Board.

 

The Funds may have difficulty disposing of bank loans because, in certain cases, the market for such instruments is not highly liquid. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such instruments and on a Fund’s ability to dispose of the bank loan in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. Furthermore, transactions in many loans settle on a delayed basis, and a Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan for a substantial period of time after the sale. As a result, those proceeds will not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations. To the extent that extended settlement creates short-term liquidity needs, a Fund may satisfy these needs by holding additional cash or selling other investments (potentially at an inopportune time, which could result in losses to the Fund).

 

Bank loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Funds, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

 

The Adviser may from time to time have the opportunity to receive material, non-public information (“Confidential Information”) about the borrower, including financial information and related documentation regarding the borrower that is not publicly available. Pursuant to applicable policies and procedures, the Adviser may (but is not required to) seek to avoid receipt of Confidential Information from the borrower so as to avoid possible restrictions on its ability to purchase and sell investments on behalf of a Fund and other clients to which such Confidential Information relates (e.g., publicly traded securities issued by the borrower). In such circumstances, the Fund (and other clients of the Adviser) may be disadvantaged in comparison to other investors, including with respect to the price the Fund pays or receives when it buys or sells a bank loan. Further, the Adviser’s abilities to assess the desirability of proposed consents, waivers or amendments with respect to certain bank loans may be compromised if it is not privy to available Confidential Information. The Adviser may also determine to receive such Confidential Information in certain circumstances under its applicable policies and procedures. If the Adviser intentionally or unintentionally comes into possession of Confidential Information, it may be unable, potentially for a substantial period of time, to purchase or sell publicly traded securities to which such Confidential Information relates.

 

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Repurchase Agreements

 

The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a fixed income security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a commercial bank, broker, or dealer, and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day). Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The acquisition of a repurchase agreement may be deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities as long as the obligation of the seller to repurchase the securities is collateralized fully. The Funds follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Funds will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement and consist only of securities permissible under Section 101(47)(A)(i) of the Bankruptcy Code (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by the Funds, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of a Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. The Funds may also enter into “tri-party” repurchase agreements. In “tri-party” repurchase agreements, an unaffiliated third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for a Fund and its counterparties and, therefore, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of those custodians. The investments of the Funds in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Funds sell portfolio securities to financial institutions, such as banks and broker-dealers, and agree to repurchase them at a mutually agreed-upon date and price that is higher than the original sale price. Reverse repurchase agreements are similar to a fully collateralized borrowing by the Funds. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will earmark on the books of the Fund or place in a segregated account cash or liquid securities having a value equal to the repurchase price (including accrued interest) and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that such equivalent value is maintained.

 

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Reverse repurchase agreements involve risks. Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of leverage, and the use of reverse repurchase agreements by a Fund may increase the Fund’s volatility. Reverse repurchase agreements are also subject to the risk that the other party to the reverse repurchase agreement will be unable or unwilling to complete the transaction as scheduled, which may result in losses to a Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. In addition, when a Fund invests the proceeds it receives in a reverse repurchase transaction, there is a risk that those investments may decline in value. In this circumstance, the Fund could be required to sell other investments in order to meet its obligations to repurchase the securities.

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies

 

The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any applicable exemptive relief, subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by a Fund. A Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. Unless an exception is available, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act prohibits a fund from (i) acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one investment company, (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in all investment companies combined, including its ETF investments.

 

For hedging or other purposes, a Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as ETFs, are traded on a securities exchange. (See “Exchange-Traded Funds” above). The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things.

 

Pursuant to orders issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to certain ETFs and procedures approved by the Board, a Fund may invest in such ETFs in excess of the 3% limitation prescribed by Section 12(d)(1)(A) described above, provided that the Fund otherwise complies with the conditions of the applicable SEC order, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. Neither such ETFs nor their investment advisers make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

 

The Funds may invest in investment companies that are not registered with the SEC or in privately placed securities of investment companies (which may or may not be registered), such as hedge funds and offshore funds. Unregistered funds are largely exempt from the regulatory requirements that apply to registered investment companies. As a result, unregistered funds may have a greater ability to make investments, or use investment techniques, that offer a higher potential investment return (for example, leveraging), but which may carry high risk. Unregistered funds, while not regulated by the SEC like registered funds, may be indirectly supervised by the financial institutions (e.g., commercial and investment banks) that may provide them with loans or other sources of capital. Investments in unregistered funds may be difficult to sell, which could cause a Fund to lose money when selling an interest in an unregistered fund. For example, many hedge funds require their investors to hold their investments for at least one year.

 

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Derivatives

 

Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based on an underlying asset (such as a stock or a bond), an underlying economic factor (such as an interest rate) or a market benchmark. Unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus, the Funds may use derivatives for a number of purposes including managing risk, gaining exposure to various markets in a cost-efficient manner, reducing transaction costs, remaining fully invested and speculating. Each Fund may also invest in derivatives with the goal of protecting itself from broad fluctuations in market prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates (a practice known as “hedging”). When hedging is successful, a Fund will have offset any depreciation in the value of its portfolio securities by the appreciation in the value of the derivative position. Although techniques other than the sale and purchase of derivatives could be used to control the exposure of the Funds to market fluctuations, the use of derivatives may be a more effective means of hedging this exposure. In the future, to the extent such use is consistent with a Fund's investment objective and is legally permissible, the Fund may use instruments and techniques that are not presently contemplated, but that may be subsequently developed.

 

There can be no assurance that a derivative strategy, if employed, will be successful. Because many derivatives have a leverage or borrowing component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Accordingly, certain derivative transactions may be considered to constitute borrowing transactions for purposes of the 1940 Act. Such a derivative transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance of a “senior security” by a Fund, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund, if the Fund covers the transaction or segregates sufficient liquid assets (or such assets are “earmarked” on the Fund’s books) in accordance with the requirements and interpretations of the SEC and its staff. Futures contracts, forward contracts and other applicable securities and instruments that settle physically, and written options on such contracts, will be treated as cash settled for asset segregation purposes when a Fund has entered into a contractual arrangement with a third party futures commission merchant or other counterparty to off-set the Fund’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign its delivery obligation under the contract to the counterparty.

 

Pursuant to rules adopted under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), a Fund must either operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to the Fund’s use of futures, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps, or the Adviser will be subject to registration with the CFTC as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”).

 

Consistent with the CFTC’s regulations, the Adviser, on behalf of the Funds, has filed a notice of exclusion from the definition of the term CPO under the CEA pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect to the Funds’ operations. Therefore, the Funds are not subject to regulation as commodity pools under the CEA and the Adviser is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO under the CEA with respect to the Funds. As a result, the Funds will be limited in their ability to use futures, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps. Complying with the limitations may restrict the Adviser’s ability to implement the Funds’ investment strategies and may adversely affect the Funds’ performance.

 

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Types of Derivatives:

 

Futures. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties whereby one party agrees to sell and the other party agrees to buy a specified amount of a financial instrument at an agreed upon price and time. The financial instrument underlying the contract may be a stock, stock index, bond, bond index, interest rate, foreign exchange rate or other similar instrument. Agreeing to buy the underlying financial instrument is called buying a futures contract or taking a long position in the contract. Likewise, agreeing to sell the underlying financial instrument is called selling a futures contract or taking a short position in the contract.

 

Futures contracts are traded in the United States on commodity exchanges or boards of trade (known as “contract markets”) approved for such trading and regulated by the CFTC. These contract markets standardize the terms, including the maturity date and underlying financial instrument, of all futures contracts.

 

Unlike other securities, the parties to a futures contract do not have to pay for or deliver the underlying financial instrument until some future date (the “delivery date”). Contract markets require both the purchaser and seller to deposit “initial margin” with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant or custodian bank, when they enter into the contract. Initial margin deposits are typically equal to a percentage of the contract’s value. Initial margin is similar to a performance bond or good faith deposit on a contract and is returned to the depositing party upon termination of the futures contract if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. After they open a futures contract, the parties to the transaction must compare the purchase price of the contract to its daily market value. If the value of the futures contract changes in such a way that a party’s position declines, that party must make additional “variation margin” payments so that the margin payment is adequate. On the other hand, the value of the contract may change in such a way that there is excess margin on deposit, possibly entitling the party that has a gain to receive all or a portion of this amount. This process is known as “marking to the market.” Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a party but is instead a settlement between the party and the futures broker of the amount one party would owe the other if the futures contract terminated. In computing daily net asset value, each party marks to market its open futures positions.

 

Although the terms of a futures contract call for the actual delivery of and payment for the underlying security, in many cases the parties may close the contract early by taking an opposite position in an identical contract. If the sale price upon closing out the contract is less than the original purchase price, the party closing out the contract will realize a loss. If the sale price upon closing out the contract is more than the original purchase price, the party closing out the contract will realize a gain. Conversely, if the purchase price upon closing out the contract is more than the original sale price, the party closing out the contract will realize a loss. If the purchase price upon closing out the contract is less than the original sale price, the party closing out the contract will realize a gain.

 

A Fund may incur commission expenses when it opens or closes a futures position.

 

Options. An option is a contract between two parties for the purchase and sale of a financial instrument for a specified price (known as the “strike price” or “exercise price”) at any time during the option period. Unlike a futures contract, an option grants a right (not an obligation) to buy or sell a financial instrument. Generally, a seller of an option can grant a buyer two kinds of rights: a “call” (the right to buy the security) or a “put” (the right to sell the security). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of securities prices, foreign currencies, interest rates and futures contracts. Options may be traded on an exchange (exchange-traded options) or may be customized agreements between the parties (over-the-counter or “OTC” options). Like futures, a financial intermediary, known as a clearing corporation, financially backs exchange-traded options. However, OTC options have no such intermediary and are subject to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligations under the contract. The principal factors affecting the market value of an option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market value of the underlying instrument relative to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until the option expires.

 

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Purchasing Put and Call Options

 

When a Fund purchases a put option, it buys the right to sell the instrument underlying the option at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the Fund pays the current market price for the option (known as the “option premium”). A Fund may purchase put options to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of its securities (“protective puts”) or to benefit from a decline in the price of securities that it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs. However, if the price of the underlying instrument does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer would lose the premium and related transaction costs.

 

Call options are similar to put options, except that a Fund obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option’s strike price. A Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities it owns or wants to buy. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying instrument exceeded the exercise price plus the premium paid and related transaction costs. Otherwise, the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

 

The purchaser of an option may terminate its position by:

 

Allowing it to expire and losing its entire premium;

 

Exercising the option and either selling (in the case of a put option) or buying (in the case of a call option) the underlying instrument at the strike price; or

 

Closing it out in the secondary market at its current price.

 

Selling (Writing) Put and Call Options

 

When a Fund writes a call option it assumes an obligation to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a fixed strike price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. Similarly, when a Fund writes a put option it assumes an obligation to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a fixed strike price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. The Fund may terminate its position in an exchange-traded put option before exercise by buying an option identical to the one it has written. Similarly, the Fund may cancel an OTC option by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to the option.

 

A Fund could try to hedge against an increase in the value of securities it would like to acquire by writing a put option on those securities. If security prices rise, the Fund would expect the put option to expire and the premium it received to offset the increase in the security’s value. If security prices remain the same over time, the Fund would hope to profit by closing out the put option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the Fund may lose an amount of money equal to the difference between the value of the security and the premium it received. Writing covered put options may deprive a Fund of the opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market price of the securities it would like to acquire.

 

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The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that call writers expect to profit if prices remain the same or fall. A Fund could try to hedge against a decline in the value of securities it already owns by writing a call option. If the price of that security falls as expected, the Fund would expect the option to expire and the premium it received to offset the decline of the security’s value. However, the Fund must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, which may deprive it of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities it holds.

 

The Funds are permitted to write only “covered” options. At the time of selling a call option, a Fund may cover the option by owning, among other things:

 

The underlying security (or securities convertible into the underlying security without additional consideration), index, interest rate, foreign currency or futures contract;

 

A call option on the same security or index with the same or lesser exercise price;

 

A call option on the same security or index with a greater exercise price, provided that the Fund also segregates cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise prices;

 

Cash or liquid securities equal to at least the market value of the optioned securities, interest rate, foreign currency or futures contract; or

 

In the case of an index, the portfolio of securities that corresponds to the index.

 

At the time of selling a put option, a Fund may cover the option by, among other things:

 

Entering into a short position in the underlying security;

 

Purchasing a put option on the same security, index, interest rate, foreign currency or futures contract with the same or greater exercise price;

 

Purchasing a put option on the same security, index, interest rate, foreign currency or futures contract with a lesser exercise price and segregating cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise prices; or

 

Maintaining the entire exercise price in liquid securities.

 

Options on Securities Indices

 

Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

 

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Options on Credit Default Swaps

 

An option on a credit default swap gives the holder the right to enter into a credit default swap at a specified future date and under specified terms in exchange for a purchase price or premium. The writer of the option bears the risk of any unfavorable move in the value of the credit default swap relative to the market value on the exercise date, while the purchaser may allow the option to expire unexercised.

 

Options on Futures

 

An option on a futures contract provides the holder with the right to buy a futures contract (in the case of a call option) or sell a futures contract (in the case of a put option) at a fixed time and price. Upon exercise of the option by the holder, the contract market clearing house establishes a corresponding short position for the writer of the option (in the case of a call option) or a corresponding long position (in the case of a put option). If the option is exercised, the parties will be subject to the futures contracts. In addition, the writer of an option on a futures contract is subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position. Options on futures contracts are traded on the same contract market as the underlying futures contract.

 

The buyer or seller of an option on a futures contract may terminate the option early by purchasing or selling an option of the same series (i.e., the same exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously purchased or sold. The difference between the premiums paid and received represents the trader’s profit or loss on the transaction.

 

A Fund may purchase put and call options on futures contracts instead of selling or buying futures contracts. The Fund may buy a put option on a futures contract for the same reasons it would sell a futures contract. It also may purchase such a put option in order to hedge a long position in the underlying futures contract. A Fund may buy a call option on a futures contract for the same purpose as the actual purchase of a futures contract, such as in anticipation of favorable market conditions.

 

A Fund may write a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a decline in the prices of the instrument underlying the futures contracts. If the price of the futures contract at expiration were below the exercise price, the Fund would retain the option premium, which would offset, in part, any decline in the value of its portfolio securities.

 

The writing of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of the futures contracts, except that, if the market price declines, a Fund would pay more than the market price for the underlying instrument. The premium received on the sale of the put option, less any transaction costs, would reduce the net cost to the Fund.

 

Options on Foreign Currencies

 

A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. The Funds may purchase or write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of hedging against changes in future currency exchange rates.

 

The Funds may use foreign currency options given the same circumstances under which they could use forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For example, a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency in which a Fund’s securities are denominated would reduce the U.S. dollar value of the securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remained constant. In order to hedge against such a risk, the Fund may purchase a put option on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency then declined, the Fund could sell the currency for a fixed amount in U.S. dollars and thereby offset, at least partially, the negative effect on its securities that otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, if a Fund anticipates a rise in the U.S. dollar value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated, the Fund may purchase call options on the currency in order to offset, at least partially, the effects of negative movements in exchange rates. If currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Funds could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options.

 

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Combined Positions

 

The Funds may purchase and write options in combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward contracts or swap agreements, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, a Fund could construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract by purchasing a put option and writing a call option on the same underlying instrument. Alternatively, a Fund could write a call option at one strike price and buy a call option at a lower price to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A forward foreign currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific amount of currency at a future date or date range at a specific price. In the case of a cancelable forward contract, the holder has the unilateral right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts differ from foreign currency futures contracts in certain respects. Unlike futures contracts, forward contracts:

 

Do not have standard maturity dates or amounts (i.e., the parties to the contract may fix the maturity date and the amount);

 

Are typically traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers in the inter-bank markets, as opposed to on exchanges regulated by the CFTC (note, however, that under new definitions adopted by the CFTC and SEC, many non-deliverable foreign currency forwards will be considered swaps for certain purposes, including determination of whether such instruments must be traded on exchanges and centrally cleared);

 

Do not require an initial margin deposit; and

 

May be closed by entering into a closing transaction with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract, as opposed to with a commodities exchange.

 

Foreign Currency Hedging Strategies

 

A “settlement hedge” or “transaction hedge” is designed to protect a Fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars “locks in” the U.S. dollar price of the security. A Fund may also use forward contracts to purchase or sell a foreign currency when it anticipates purchasing or selling securities denominated in foreign currency, even if it has not yet selected the specific investments.

 

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A Fund may use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a “position hedge,” would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values caused by other factors. The Fund could also hedge the position by selling another currency expected to perform similarly to the currency in which the Fund’s investment is denominated. This type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a “proxy hedge,” could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.

 

Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities that a Fund owns or intends to purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of exchange that one can achieve at some future point in time. Additionally, these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency and to limit any potential gain that might result from the increase in value of such currency.

 

A Fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency into another. Such transactions may call for the delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign currency, including currencies in which its securities are not then denominated. This may include shifting exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes known as a “cross-hedge,” will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that is purchased. Cross-hedges may protect against losses resulting from a decline in the hedged currency but will cause the Fund to assume the risk of fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases. Cross-hedging transactions also involve the risk of imperfect correlation between changes in the values of the currencies involved.

 

It is difficult to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward or futures contract. Accordingly, a Fund may have to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot (cash) market if the market value of a security it is hedging is less than the amount of foreign currency it is obligated to deliver. Conversely, the Fund may have to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency it received upon the sale of a security if the market value of such security exceeds the amount of foreign currency it is obligated to deliver.

 

Participation Notes (“P-Notes”). P-Notes are participation interest notes that are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity, debt, currency or market. When purchasing a P-Note, the posting of margin is not required because the full cost of the P-Note (plus commission) is paid at the time of purchase. When the P-Note matures, the issuer will pay to, or receive from, the purchaser the difference between the nominal value of the underlying instrument at the time of purchase and that instrument’s value at maturity. Investments in P-Notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate.

 

In addition, there can be no assurance that the trading price of P-Notes will equal the underlying value of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. The holder of a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with an underlying security or instrument. However, the holder of a P-Note does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. P-Notes are generally traded over-the-counter. P-Notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. There is also counterparty risk associated with these investments because the Funds are relying on the creditworthiness of such counterparty and have no rights under a P-Note against the issuer of the underlying security. In addition, the Funds will incur transaction costs as a result of investments in P-Notes.

 

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Swap Agreements. A swap agreement is a financial instrument that typically involves the exchange of cash flows between two parties on specified dates (settlement dates), where the cash flows are based on agreed-upon prices, rates, indices, etc. The nominal amount on which the cash flows are calculated is called the notional amount. Swap agreements are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, such as interest rates, foreign currency rates, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, security prices or inflation rates.

 

Swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the investments of a Fund and its share price. The performance of swap agreements may be affected by a change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.

 

Generally, swap agreements have a fixed maturity date that will be agreed upon by the parties. The agreement can be terminated before the maturity date under certain circumstances, such as default by one of the parties or insolvency, among others, and can be transferred by a party only with the prior written consent of the other party. A Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or by other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. If the counterparty is unable to meet its obligations under the contract, declares bankruptcy, defaults or becomes insolvent, a Fund may not be able to recover the money it expected to receive under the swap agreement. The Funds will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the counterparty to the transaction is creditworthy.

 

A swap agreement can be a form of leverage, which can magnify the Funds’ gains or losses. In order to reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Funds may cover their current obligations under swap agreements according to guidelines established by the SEC. If a Fund enters into a swap agreement on a net basis, it will segregate assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the Fund is entitled to receive under the agreement. If a Fund enters into a swap agreement on other than a net basis, it will segregate assets with a value equal to the full amount of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement.

 

Equity Swaps

 

In a typical equity swap, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a stock, stock index or basket of stocks in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, for example, the index receiver can gain exposure to stocks making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those stocks. Equity index swaps involve not only the risk associated with investment in the securities represented in the index, but also the risk that the performance of such securities, including dividends, will not exceed the return on the interest rate that a Fund will be committed to pay.

 

Total Return Swaps

 

Total return swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments of the total return from a reference instrument—which may be a single asset, a pool of assets or an index of assets—during a specified period, in return for payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of interest or the total return from another underlying reference instrument. The total return includes appreciation or depreciation on the underlying asset, plus any interest or dividend payments. Payments under the swap are based upon an agreed upon principal amount but, since the principal amount is not exchanged, it represents neither an asset nor a liability to either counterparty, and is referred to as notional. Total return swaps are marked to market daily using different sources, including quotations from counterparties, pricing services, brokers or market makers. The unrealized appreciation or depreciation related to the change in the valuation of the notional amount of the swap is combined with the amount due to a Fund at termination or settlement. The primary risks associated with total return swaps are credit risks (if the counterparty fails to meet its obligations) and market risk (if there is no liquid market for the swap or unfavorable changes occur to the underlying reference instrument).

 

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Interest Rate Swaps

 

Interest rate swaps are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. Some of the different types of interest rate swaps are “fixed-for-floating rate swaps,” “termed basis swaps” and “index amortizing swaps.” Fixed-for-floating rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed interest rate cash flows for floating rate cash flows. Termed basis swaps entail cash flows to both parties based on floating interest rates, where the interest rate indices are different. Index amortizing swaps are typically fixed-for-floating rate swaps where the notional amount changes if certain conditions are met.

 

As with a traditional investment in a debt security, a Fund could lose money by investing in an interest rate swap if interest rates change adversely. For example, if a Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a floating rate of interest for a fixed rate of interest, the Fund may have to pay more money than it receives. Similarly, if a Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a fixed rate of interest for a floating rate of interest, the Fund may receive less money than it has agreed to pay.

 

Currency Swaps

 

A currency swap is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to make interest rate payments in one currency and the other promises to make interest rate payments in another currency. A Fund may enter into a currency swap when it has one currency and desires a different currency. Typically, the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the agreement and returned at the end of the agreement. Changes in foreign exchange rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.

 

Inflation Swaps

 

Inflation swaps are fixed-maturity, over-the-counter derivatives where one party pays a fixed rate in exchange for payments tied to an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index. The fixed rate, which is set by the parties at the initiation of the swap, is often referred to as the “breakeven inflation” rate and generally represents the current difference between treasury yields and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities yields of similar maturities at the initiation of the swap agreement. Inflation swaps are typically designated as “zero coupon,” where all cash flows are exchanged at maturity. The value of an inflation swap is expected to fluctuate in response to changes in the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. An inflation swap can lose value if the realized rate of inflation over the life of the swap is less than the fixed market implied inflation rate (the breakeven inflation rate) the investor agreed to pay at the initiation of the swap.

 

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Credit Default Swaps

 

A credit default swap is an agreement between a “buyer” and a “seller” for credit protection. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not then held by a Fund. The protection buyer is generally obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront payment and/or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement until a credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If no default occurs, the seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the full notional amount (the “par value”) of the swap.

 

Caps, Collars and Floors

 

Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level. The seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

 

Risks of Derivatives:

 

While transactions in derivatives may reduce certain risks, these transactions themselves entail certain other risks. For example, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance of a Fund than if it had not entered into any derivatives transactions. Derivatives may magnify a Fund’s gains or losses, causing it to make or lose substantially more than it invested.

 

When used for hedging purposes, increases in the value of the securities a Fund holds or intends to acquire should offset any losses incurred with a derivative. Purchasing derivatives for purposes other than hedging could expose the Fund to greater risks.

 

Use of derivatives involves transaction costs, which may be significant, and may also increase the amount of taxable income to shareholders.

 

Correlation of Prices. The Funds’ ability to hedge their securities through derivatives depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index or instrument correlate with price movements in the relevant securities. In the case of poor correlation, the price of the securities a Fund is hedging may not move in the same amount, or even in the same direction as the hedging instrument. The Adviser will try to minimize this risk by investing in only those contracts whose behavior it expects to correlate with the behavior of the portfolio securities it is trying to hedge. However, if the Adviser’s prediction of interest and currency rates, market value, volatility or other economic factors is incorrect, a Fund may lose money, or may not make as much money as it expected.

 

Derivative prices can diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the characteristics of the underlying instruments are very similar to the derivative. Listed below are some of the factors that may cause such a divergence:

 

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Current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract;

 

A difference between the derivatives and securities markets, including different levels of demand, how the instruments are traded, the imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or discontinued trading of an instrument; and

 

Differences between the derivatives, such as different margin requirements, different liquidity of such markets and the participation of speculators in such markets.

 

Derivatives based upon a narrower index of securities, such as those of a particular industry group, may present greater risk than derivatives based on a broad market index. Since narrower indices are made up of a smaller number of securities, they are more susceptible to rapid and extreme price fluctuations because of changes in the value of those securities.

 

While currency futures and options values are expected to correlate with exchange rates, they may not reflect other factors that affect the value of the investments of the Funds. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a yen-denominated security from a decline in the yen, but will not protect a Fund against a price decline resulting from deterioration in the issuer’s creditworthiness. Because the value of a Fund’s foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of such Fund’s investments precisely over time.

 

Lack of Liquidity. Before a futures contract or option is exercised or expires, a Fund can terminate it only by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. Moreover, a Fund may close out a futures contract only on the exchange the contract was initially traded. Although the Funds intend to purchase options and futures only where there appears to be an active market, there is no guarantee that such a liquid market will exist. If there is no secondary market for the contract, or the market is illiquid, a Fund may not be able to close out its position. In an illiquid market, a Fund may:

 

Have to sell securities to meet its daily margin requirements at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so;

 

Have to purchase or sell the instrument underlying the contract;

 

Not be able to hedge its investments; and/or

 

Not be able to realize profits or limit its losses.

 

Derivatives may become illiquid (i.e., difficult to sell at a desired time and price) under a variety of market conditions. For example:

 

An exchange may suspend or limit trading in a particular derivative instrument, an entire category of derivatives or all derivatives, which sometimes occurs because of increased market volatility;

 

Unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations of an exchange;

 

The facilities of the exchange may not be adequate to handle current trading volume;

 

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Equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or other occurrences may disrupt normal trading activity; or

 

Investors may lose interest in a particular derivative or category of derivatives.

 

Management Risk. Successful use of derivatives by the Funds is subject to the ability of the Adviser to forecast stock market and interest rate trends. If the Adviser incorrectly predicts stock market and interest rate trends, the Funds may lose money by investing in derivatives. For example, if a Fund were to write a call option based on the Adviser’s expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if a Fund were to write a put option based on the Adviser’s expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price.

 

Pricing Risk. At times, market conditions might make it hard to value some investments. For example, if a Fund has valued its securities too high, shareholders may end up paying too much for Fund shares when they buy into the Fund. If the Fund underestimates its price, shareholders may not receive the full market value for their Fund shares when they sell.

 

Margin. Because of the low margin deposits required upon the opening of a derivative position, such transactions involve an extremely high degree of leverage. Consequently, a relatively small price movement in a derivative may result in an immediate and substantial loss (as well as gain) to a Fund and it may lose more than it originally invested in the derivative.

 

If the price of a futures contract changes adversely, a Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so to meet its minimum daily margin requirement. A Fund may lose its margin deposits if a broker-dealer with whom it has an open futures contract or related option becomes insolvent or declares bankruptcy.

 

Volatility and Leverage. The Funds’ use of derivatives may have a leveraging effect. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in value of an underlying asset and results in increased volatility, which means the Funds will have the potential for greater gains, as well as the potential for greater losses, than if the Funds do not use derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. The prices of derivatives are volatile (i.e., they may change rapidly, substantially and unpredictably) and are influenced by a variety of factors, including:

 

Actual and anticipated changes in interest rates;

 

Fiscal and monetary policies; and

 

National and international political events.

 

Most exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a derivative can change during a single trading day. Daily trading limits establish the maximum amount that the price of a derivative may vary from the settlement price of that derivative at the end of trading on the previous day. Once the price of a derivative reaches that value, a Fund may not trade that derivative at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a given day and does not limit potential gains or losses. Derivative prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days, preventing prompt liquidation of the derivative.

 

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Government Regulation. The regulation of derivatives markets in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law in 2010, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to impose comprehensive regulations on the over-the-counter and cleared derivatives markets. These regulations include, but are not limited to, mandatory clearing of certain derivatives and requirements relating to disclosure, margin and trade reporting. The new law and regulations may negatively impact the Funds by increasing transaction and/or regulatory compliance costs, limiting the availability of certain derivatives or otherwise adversely affecting the value or performance of the derivatives the Funds trade.

 

On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”) under the 1940 Act which, following an implementation period, will replace existing SEC and staff guidance with an updated, comprehensive framework for registered funds’ use of derivatives. Among other changes, the Derivatives Rule will require the Funds to trade derivatives and certain other instruments that create future payment or delivery obligations subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit, develop and implement a derivatives risk management program and new testing requirements, and comply with new requirements related to board and SEC reporting. These new requirements will apply unless a Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in the Derivatives Rule. Complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of the Funds’ investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. Other potentially adverse regulatory obligations can develop suddenly and without notice.

 

Illiquid Investments

 

Illiquid investments are investments that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid investments must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, a Fund’s illiquid investments are subject to the risk that the investment’s fair value price may differ from the actual price which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid investments may result in a loss or may be costly to a Fund. Under the supervision of the Board, the Adviser determines the liquidity of a Fund’s investments. A Fund may not acquire an illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets.

 

Securities Lending

 

A Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). A Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Adviser or its affiliates unless permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules and promulgations thereunder. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of a Fund.

 

A Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent, but will bear all of any losses from the investment of collateral.

 

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By lending its securities, a Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. Investing cash collateral subjects the Fund to market risk. A Fund remains obligated to return all collateral to the borrower under the terms of its securities lending arrangements, even if the value of investments made with the collateral decline. Accordingly, if the value of a security in which the cash collateral has been invested declines, the loss would be borne by a Fund, and the Fund may be required to liquidate other investments in order to return collateral to the borrower at the end of the loan. A Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed above from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. In such instances, the Adviser will vote the securities in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures. The Board has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.

 

Restricted Securities

 

The Funds may purchase restricted securities. Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or an exemption from registration. This generally includes securities that are unregistered that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or securities that are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, such as commercial paper. Institutional markets for restricted securities have developed as a result of the promulgation of Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, which provides a “safe harbor” from 1933 Act registration requirements for qualifying sales to institutional investors. When Rule 144A restricted securities present an attractive investment opportunity and meet other selection criteria, a Fund may make such investments whether or not such securities are “illiquid” depending on the market that exists for the particular security. The Board has delegated the responsibility for determining the liquidity of Rule 144A restricted securities that a Fund may invest in to the Adviser.

 

Short Sales

 

The Funds may engage in short sales that are either “uncovered” or “against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, a Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale against the box is a taxable transaction to a Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short.

 

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Uncovered short sales are transactions under which the Funds sell a security they do not own. To complete such a transaction, a Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

 

Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund may: (a) segregate cash or liquid securities at such a level that the amount segregated plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position.

 

When-Issued, Delayed–Delivery and Forward-Delivery Transactions

 

A when-issued security is one whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but which has not been issued. In a forward-delivery transaction, a Fund contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. “Delayed-delivery” refers to securities transactions on the secondary market where settlement occurs in the future. In each of these transactions, the parties fix the payment obligation and the interest rate that they will receive on the securities at the time the parties enter the commitment; however, they do not pay money or deliver securities until a later date. Typically, no income accrues on securities a Fund has committed to purchase before the securities are delivered, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has in a segregated account to cover its position. A Fund will only enter into these types of transactions with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but may sell them before the settlement date.

 

A Fund may use when-issued, delayed-delivery and forward-delivery transactions to secure what it considers an advantageous price and yield at the time of purchase. When a Fund engages in when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward-delivery transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the sale. If the other party fails to complete the sale, the Fund may miss the opportunity to obtain the security at a favorable price or yield.

 

When purchasing a security on a when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward-delivery basis, a Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield changes. At the time of settlement, the market value of the security may be more or less than the purchase price. The yield available in the market when the delivery takes place also may be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. Because the Fund does not pay for the security until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with its other investments.

 

The Funds will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to commitments for the when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward-delivery transactions. The Funds will segregate additional liquid assets daily so that the value of such assets is equal to the amount of the commitments.

 

Special Risks of Cyber-attacks

 

As with any entity that conducts business through electronic means in the modern marketplace, the Funds, and their service providers, may be susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential information, unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the Funds and their service providers use to service the Funds’ operations, ransomware, operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Funds and their service providers, or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting the Funds or the Adviser, the Funds’ distributor, custodian, or any other of the Funds’ intermediaries or service providers may adversely impact the Funds and their shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses or the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact a Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Funds may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes designed to mitigate or prevent the risk of cyber-attacks. Such costs may be ongoing because threats of cyber-attacks are constantly evolving as cyber attackers become more sophisticated and their techniques become more complex. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Funds may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Funds’ investments in such companies to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Funds, the Funds’ service providers, or the issuers of the securities in which the Funds invest will not suffer losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches in the future.

 

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LIBOR Replacement Risk

 

The London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is used extensively in the U.S. and globally as a benchmark or reference rate for various commercial and financial contracts, is expected to be discontinued. The elimination of LIBOR may adversely affect the interest rates on, and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. Such investments may include bank loans, derivatives, floating rate securities, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop compelling or inducing banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. On March 5, 2021, Ice Benchmark Administrator (“IBA”) clarified that the publication of LIBOR on a representative basis will cease for the one-week and two-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately after December 31, 2021 and for the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately after June 30, 2023. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on the Funds will vary depending on, among other things, (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. The expected discontinuation of LIBOR could have a significant impact on the financial markets in general and may also present heightened risk to market participants, including public companies, investment advisers, other investment companies, and broker-dealers. The risks associated with this discontinuation and transition will be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on the Funds until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted.

 

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General Market Risk

 

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus designated as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in international, national and local border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment. These impacts also have caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. The impact of this COVID-19 pandemic may be short term or may last for an extended period of time, and in either case could result in a substantial economic downturn or recession. Health crises caused by viral or bacterial outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, economic, market and financial risks. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Funds invest, which in turn could negatively impact the Funds' performance and cause losses on your investment in the Funds.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental Policies

 

The following investment limitations are fundamental, which means that a Fund cannot change them without approval by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The phrase “majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of a Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, whichever is less.

 

1. Each Fund may not concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time, except that the Fund may invest without limitation in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such securities or tax-exempt obligations of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions; provided, however, that the Ninety One Global Environment Fund will concentrate its investments in climate change-related industries.

 

2. Each Fund may borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except as prohibited under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

3. Each Fund may make loans, except as prohibited under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

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4. Each Fund may purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except as prohibited under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

5. Each Fund may underwrite securities issued by other persons, except as prohibited under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

Non-Fundamental Policies

 

Each Fund’s investment objective as well as the following investment limitations of the Fund are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

 

1. Each Fund may not invest in unmarketable interests in real estate limited partnerships or invest directly in real estate. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing policy does not prevent the Fund from, among other things, purchasing marketable securities of companies that deal in real estate or interests therein (including REITs).

 

2. Each Fund may purchase or sell financial and physical commodities, commodity contracts based on (or relating to) physical commodities or financial commodities and securities and derivative instruments whose values are derived from (in whole or in part) physical commodities or financial commodities.

 

The following descriptions of certain provisions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions:

 

Concentration. The 1940 Act requires that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy regarding concentration. The SEC has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company’s total assets in any particular industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions. For purposes of a Fund’s concentration policy, the Fund may classify and re-classify companies in a particular industry and define and re-define industries in any reasonable manner, consistent with SEC and SEC staff guidance.

 

Borrowing. The 1940 Act presently allows an investment company to borrow from any bank in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) and to borrow for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets.

 

Lending. Under the 1940 Act, an investment company may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies.

 

Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.

 

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Real Estate and Commodities. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company’s ability to invest in real estate or commodities, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments.

 

Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves an investment company purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.

 

Except with respect to a Fund's policy concerning borrowing, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from changes in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances causes a Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitation within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays).

 

THE ADVISER

 

General. Ninety One North America, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “Ninety One NA”), a Delaware corporation organized in 2012, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser’s principal place of business is 65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ninety One International Limited (“Ninety One International”), which is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Ninety One Plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Ninety One Plc is affiliated with Ninety One Limited (“Ninety One Ltd”), a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Ninety One Ltd is the majority owner of Ninety One Africa (Pty) Ltd, which is the parent of Ninety One SA (Pty) Ltd (“Ninety One Pty”). Ninety One UK Ltd. (“Ninety One UK”) is also an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Ninety One Plc. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $31.1 billion in assets under management.

 

The Adviser makes investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund’s investment program. The Board supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities.

 

In rendering investment advisory services to the Funds, Ninety One NA relies on a dual hatting agreement with certain affiliates, including Ninety One UK, pursuant to which certain employees of such affiliates are permitted to provide portfolio management services to Ninety One NA’s clients (including the Funds). Under the dual hatting agreement, such employees and such affiliates are considered “associated persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, of Ninety One NA, and the employees are subject to the control and supervision of Ninety One NA, and to Ninety One NA’s compliance policies and procedures and code of ethics, in connection with any services they provide to Ninety One NA’s clients.

 

Advisory Agreement. The Trust and the Adviser have entered into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with respect to the Funds. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser serves as the investment adviser and makes investment decisions for each Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of each Fund, subject to the supervision of, and policies established by, the Board.

 

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After the initial two-year term, the continuance of the Advisory Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually: (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund on at least 30 days’ written notice to the Adviser, or, by the Adviser, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the Trust. As used in the Advisory Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons” and “assignment” have the same meaning as such terms in the 1940 Act.

 

Advisory Fees Paid to the Adviser. For its services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates based on the average daily net assets of each Fund:

 

Fund Advisory Fee Rate
Ninety One Global Environment Fund 0.75%
Ninety One International Franchise Fund 0.75%

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs and expenses relating to the securities that are purchased and sold by the Fund, 12b-1 Fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other non-routine expenses, such as litigation (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) for I Shares and A Shares from exceeding certain levels as set forth below until February 28, 2023 (each, a “contractual expense limit”). This agreement will terminate automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement and may be terminated: (i) by the Board, for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on February 28, 2023.

 

Fund Contractual Expense Limit
Ninety One Global Environment Fund 0.90%
Ninety One International Franchise Fund 0.85%

 

The Adviser may receive from a Fund the difference between the total annual Fund operating expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point total annual Fund operating expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the contractual expense limit (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment.

 

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THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about each Fund’s portfolio manager, including information about other accounts he manages, the dollar range of Fund shares he owns and how he is compensated.

 

Compensation. The compensation for the portfolio managers includes fixed pay, pension contribution, employee benefits, and annual discretionary variable compensation which may comprise both cash and deferred elements. Fixed compensation including salaries are reviewed annually and designed to reflect the relative skills and experience of, and contribution made by, each employee. The following qualitative and quantitative factors are considered in determining annual discretionary variable compensation: the profit of the overall firm; multi-year investment and financial performance of specific business units; behavior consistent with the culture and values of the firm; scope of responsibility and individual contribution to the performance of the business; the attitude and behavior of employees towards risk consciousness, internal controls, risk management and regulatory compliance; specific input from risk and compliance functions regarding concerns about the behavior of individual employees; market sector norms and peer group comparisons; and the quality and level of leadership and collaboration, the ability to grow and develop business and client relationships, and the development of self and others.

 

Fund Shares Owned by the Portfolio Managers. The Funds are required to show the dollar amount range of each portfolio manager’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). Because the Funds are new, as of the date of this SAI, the portfolio managers did not beneficially own shares of the Funds.

 

Other Accounts. In addition to the Funds, the portfolio managers may also be responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as indicated by the following table. The information below is provided as of [Date].

 

Name Registered
Investment Companies
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets Number of
Accounts
Total Assets
(in Millions)
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets
(in Millions)
Graeme Baker [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX]
Deidre Cooper [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX]
Elias Erickson [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX] [XX] $[XX]

 

[1 Includes [XX] account[s] with assets under management of $[XX] that are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.]

 

Conflicts of Interest. The Adviser performs investment management and investment advisory services for various clients, including the Funds, many of whom may have differing investment objectives, guidelines, and restrictions. As a result, the Adviser may give advice and take action in the performance of its duties for a particular client that may differ from the advice given, or the timing or nature of action taken, with respect to other clients.

 

It is also possible that in the course of the Adviser’s business, investments for the Adviser’s clients will overlap with investments for the clients of an affiliate of the Adviser and create a possible conflict of interest in connection with an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, but not available in sufficient quantities for all accounts to participate fully. Because the Adviser provides services to a number of different clients, potential conflicts of interest may also arise related to the amount of time an individual devotes to managing particular accounts. The Adviser may also have an incentive to favor accounts in the allocation of investment opportunities or otherwise treat preferentially those accounts that pay the Adviser a performance-related fee, or a higher fee level or greater fees overall.

 

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To address such conflicts, the Adviser has established a variety of policies and procedures whose goals are to facilitate the fair allocation of investment opportunities. At all times, the Adviser seeks to treat all of its clients in a fair and equitable manner and will act in a manner that the Adviser believes to be in the best interests of clients. The Adviser seeks to ensure that potential or actual conflicts of interest are appropriately resolved, taking into consideration the overriding best interests of its clients.

 

Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper manage multiple accounts for the Adviser, including a Fund. In addition, Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper each serve as portfolio manager of certain private investment funds and client accounts that are managed by affiliates of the Adviser. As such, each of Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper will not devote his full business time to a Fund, but will devote such time as he, in his sole discretion, deems necessary to carry out his role effectively. Each of Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper will make decisions for each account based on the investment objectives, policies, practices and other relevant investment considerations that he believes is applicable to such accounts.

 

Each of Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper may on occasion give advice or take action with respect to certain accounts that differs from the advice given or action taken with respect to other accounts (especially where the investment policies differ). Thus, it is possible that the transactions and portfolio strategies Messrs. Baker and Erickson and Ms. Cooper may use for various accounts may conflict and affect the prices and availability of the securities and other financial instruments in which certain other accounts invest. In circumstances where conflicts occur, the Adviser seeks to implement policies to minimize such conflicts and ensure that decisions are made that are fair and equitable to all the accounts involved, in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time and its applicable fiduciary duties.

 

Potential conflicts of interest may also arise in connection with the knowledge by an employee of either the Adviser and/or an affiliate of the Adviser about the timing of transactions, investment opportunities, broker selection, portfolio holdings and investments. Such employees who have access to the size and timing of transactions may have information concerning the market impact of transactions. Such employees may be in a position to use this information to their possible advantage or to the possible detriment of a client. The Adviser manages these potential conflicts involving employee personal trades by requiring that any personal trade be made in compliance with the Adviser’s code of ethics.

 

THE ADMINISTRATOR

 

General. SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the “Administrator”), a Delaware statutory trust, has its principal business offices at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. SEI Investments Management Corporation (“SIMC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company (“SEI Investments”), is the owner of all beneficial interest in the Administrator. SEI Investments and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including the Administrator, are leading providers of fund valuation services, trust accounting systems, and brokerage and information services to financial institutions, institutional investors, and money managers. The Administrator and its affiliates also serve as administrator or sub-administrator to other mutual funds.

 

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Administration Agreement with the Trust. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into an amended and restated administration agreement dated November 16, 2018 (the “Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative services, including regulatory reporting and all necessary office space, equipment, personnel and facilities.

 

The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

Administration Fees Paid to the Administrator. For its services under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator is paid a fee, which varies based on the average daily net assets of the Funds, subject to certain minimums.

 

THE DISTRIBUTOR

 

The Trust and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments, and an affiliate of the Administrator, are parties to a distribution agreement dated February 12, 2014, as amended (the “Distribution Agreement”), whereby the Distributor acts as a principal underwriter for the Trust’s shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.

 

The continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act), and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by the Distributor, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

Distribution Plan. The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to A Shares (the “Plan”) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan (“Qualified Trustees”). The Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount that may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees and of the Qualified Trustees.

 

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The Plan provides a method of paying for distribution and shareholder services, which may help the Funds grow or maintain asset levels to provide operational efficiencies and economies of scale, provided by the Distributor or other financial intermediaries that enter into agreements with the Distributor. The Funds may make payments to financial intermediaries, such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies, investment counselors, broker-dealers, mutual fund “supermarkets” and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries, as compensation for services, reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance or provision of shareholder services. The Distributor may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services and distribution related expenses such as the costs of preparation, printing, mailing or otherwise disseminating sales literature, advertising, and prospectuses (other than those furnished to current shareholders of a Fund), promotional and incentive programs, and such other marketing expenses that the Distributor may incur.

 

Under the Plan, the Distributor or financial intermediaries may receive up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A Shares as compensation for distribution and shareholder services. The Plan is characterized as a compensation plan since the distribution fee will be paid to the Distributor without regard to the distribution or shareholder service expenses incurred by the Distributor or the amount of payments made to financial intermediaries. The Trust intends to operate the Plan in accordance with its terms and with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules concerning sales charges.

 

Dealer Reallowances. A Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a front-end sales charge as described in the Prospectus. Selling dealers are normally re-allowed 100% of the sales charge by the Distributor. The following table shows the amount of the front-end sales charge that is re-allowed to dealers as a percentage of the offering price of A Shares.

 

If your investment is: Dealer Reallowance as a Percentage
of Offering Price
Less than $25,000 5.75%
$25,000 or more but less than $50,000 5.00%
$50,000 or more but less than $100,000 4.50%
$100,000 or more but less than $250,000 3.50%
$250,000 or more but less than $500,000 2.50%
$500,000 or more but less than $750,000 2.00%
$750,000 or more but less than $1,000,000 1.50%
$1,000,000 and over None

 

Payments by the Adviser. The Adviser and/or its affiliates, in their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Funds, their service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Funds and/or in recognition of their distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.

 

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These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Funds, the Distributor or shareholders of the Funds through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets. Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Funds in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Funds; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates may also make payments from their own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law.

 

Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Funds by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.

 

Investors should understand that some financial intermediaries may also charge their clients fees in connection with purchases of shares or the provision of shareholder services.

 

THE TRANSFER AGENT

 

DST Systems, Inc., 333 W. 11th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 (the “Transfer Agent”), serves as the Funds’ transfer agent.

 

THE CUSTODIAN

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (the “Custodian”), acts as the custodian of the Funds. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Funds as required by the 1940 Act.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

[XX], serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2921, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

 

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SECURITIES LENDING

 

Because the Funds are new, as of the date of this SAI, the Funds have not engaged in securities lending activities.

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Funds described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has approved contracts, as described above, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.

 

Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Adviser, the Distributor and the Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, have oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the funds. The funds and their service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Funds’ service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.

 

The Trustees’ role in risk oversight begins before the inception of a fund, at which time certain of the fund’s service providers present the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the fund as well as proposed investment limitations for the fund. Additionally, the fund’s adviser provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the adviser and other service providers, such as the fund’s independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the funds may be exposed.

 

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the funds by the adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the advisory agreement with the adviser, the Board meets with the adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the adviser’s adherence to the funds’ investment restrictions and compliance with various fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the funds’ investments, including, for example, reports on the adviser’s use of derivatives in managing the funds, if any, as well as reports on the funds’ investments in other investment companies, if any.

 

The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and fund and adviser risk assessments. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

 

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The Board receives reports from the funds’ service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. The Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee makes regular reports to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the funds’ financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the funds and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the funds’ internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.

 

From their review of these reports and discussions with the adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the funds, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.

 

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the funds can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the funds’ goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the funds’ investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the funds’ advisers and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the funds’ and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.

 

Members of the Board. There are five members of the Board, four of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“independent Trustees”). Mr. Doran, an interested person of the Trust, serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hunt, an independent Trustee, serves as the lead independent Trustee. The Trust has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Trust made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the independent Trustees constitute more than three-quarters of the Board, the fact that the chairperson of each Committee of the Board is an independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the independent Trustees from fund management.

 

The Board has two standing committees: the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and the Governance Committee are chaired by an independent Trustee and composed of all of the independent Trustees. In addition, the Board has a lead independent Trustee.

 

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In his role as lead independent Trustee, Mr. Hunt, among other things: (i) presides over Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board; (ii) presides over executive sessions of the independent Trustees; (iii) along with the Chairman of the Board, oversees the development of agendas for Board meetings; (iv) facilitates communication between the independent Trustees and management, and among the independent Trustees; (v) serves as a key point person for dealings between the independent Trustees and management; and (vi) has such other responsibilities as the Board or independent Trustees determine from time to time.

 

Set forth below are the names, years of birth, position with the Trust and length of time served, and the principal occupations and other directorships held during at least the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as a Trustee. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees. Nevertheless, an independent Trustee must retire from the Board as of the end of the calendar year in which such independent Trustee first attains the age of seventy-five years; provided, however, that, an independent Trustee may continue to serve for one or more additional one calendar year terms after attaining the age of seventy-five years (each calendar year a “Waiver Term”) if, and only if, prior to the beginning of such Waiver Term: (1) the Governance Committee (a) meets to review the performance of the independent Trustee; (b) finds that the continued service of such independent Trustee is in the best interests of the Trust; and (c) unanimously approves excepting the independent Trustee from the general retirement policy set out above; and (2) a majority of the Trustees approves excepting the independent Trustee from the general retirement policy set out above. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee is SEI Investments, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position with Trust and Length of Time Served Principal Occupations
in the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships Held in the Past 5 Years
Interested Trustee
William M. Doran
(Born: 1940)
Chairman of the Board of Trustees1
(since 2014)
Self-Employed Consultant since 2003. Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (law firm) from 1976 to 2003. Counsel to the Trust, SEI Investments, SIMC, the Administrator and the Distributor. Secretary of SEI Investments since 1978. Current Directorships: Trustee of Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust and SEI Catholic Values Trust. Director of SEI Investments, SEI Investments (Europe), Limited, SEI Investments—Global Funds Services, Limited, SEI Investments Global, Limited, SEI Investments (Asia), Limited, SEI Global Nominee Ltd., SEI Investments – Unit Trust Management (UK) Limited and SEI Investments Co. Director of the Distributor.

Former Directorships: Trustee of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016.
Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016. Trustee of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II, Bishop Street Funds, The KP Funds and Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position with Trust and Length of Time Served Principal Occupations
in the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships Held in the Past 5 Years
Independent Trustees
Jon C. Hunt
(Born: 1951)
Trustee and Lead Independent Trustee
(since 2014)
Retired since 2013. Consultant to Management, Convergent Capital Management, LLC (“CCM”) from 2012 to 2013. Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, CCM from 1998 to 2012. Current Directorships: Trustee of City National Rochdale Funds, Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund and Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund. Director of Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd.

Former Directorships: Trustee of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016. Member of Independent Committee of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management to 2016. Trustee of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Trustee of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.
Thomas P. Lemke
(Born: 1954)
Trustee
(since 2014)
Retired since 2013. Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Legg Mason, Inc. from 2005 to 2013. Current Directorships: Trustee of Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund, JP Morgan Active Exchange-Traded Funds (33 Portfolios) and Symmetry Panoramic Trust (8 Portfolios). Director of Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd.

Former Directorships: Trustee of Munder Funds to 2014. Trustee of Victory Funds to 2015. Trustee of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016.

Trustee of Winton Series Trust and AXA Premier VIP Trust to 2017. Trustee of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position with Trust and Length of Time Served Principal Occupations
in the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships Held in the Past 5 Years
Jay C. Nadel
(Born: 1958)
Trustee
(since 2016)
Self-Employed Consultant since 2004. Executive Vice President, Bank of New York Broker Dealer from 2002 to 2004. Partner/Managing Director, Weiss Peck & Greer/Robeco from 1986 to 2001. Current Directorships: Chairman of the Board of Trustees of City National Rochdale Funds. Trustee of Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund and Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund. Director of Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd.

Former Directorships: Trustee of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Director of Lapolla Industries, Inc. to 2017. Trustee of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.
Randall S. Yanker
(Born: 1960)
Trustee
(since 2014)
Co-Founder and Senior Partner, Alternative Asset Managers, L.P. since 2004. Current Directorships: Trustee of Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund and Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund. Independent Non-Executive Director of HFA Holdings Limited. Director of Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd.

Former Directorships: Trustee of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016. Trustee of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Trustee of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.

 

1 Mr. Doran may be deemed to be an “interested” person of the Funds as that term is defined in the 1940 Act by virtue of his affiliation with the Distributor and/or its affiliates.

 

Individual Trustee Qualifications

 

The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of their ability to review and understand information about the Funds provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on their own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

 

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The Trust has concluded that Mr. Doran should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as a Partner in the Investment Management and Securities Industry Practice of a large law firm, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving on other mutual fund boards.

 

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Hunt should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained in a variety of leadership roles with different investment management institutions, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained as a board member of open-end, closed-end and private funds investing in a broad range of asset classes, including alternative asset classes.

 

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Lemke should serve as Trustee because of the extensive experience he gained in the financial services industry, including experience in various senior management positions with financial services firms and multiple years of service with a regulatory agency, his background in controls, including legal, compliance and risk management, and his service as general counsel for several financial services firms.

 

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Nadel should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained in a variety of leadership roles with an audit firm and various financial services firms, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving on other mutual fund and operating company boards.

 

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Yanker should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained in a variety of leadership roles with the alternative asset management divisions of various financial services firms, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained advising institutions on alternative asset management.

 

In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the funds.

 

Board Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:

 

Audit Committee. The Board has a standing Audit Committee that is composed of each of the independent Trustees. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: (i) recommending which firm to engage as each fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and whether to terminate this relationship; (ii) reviewing the independent registered public accounting firm’s compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm’s independence; (iii) pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided by each fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and certain other affiliated entities; (iv) serving as a channel of communication between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Trustees; (v) reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent registered public accounting firm’s opinion, any related management letter, management’s responses to recommendations made by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit, reports submitted to the Committee by the internal auditing department of the Administrator that are material to the Trust as a whole, if any, and management’s responses to any such reports; (vi) reviewing each fund’s audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; (vii) considering, in consultation with the independent registered public accounting firm and the Trust’s senior internal accounting executive, if any, the independent registered public accounting firms’ reports on the adequacy of the Trust’s internal financial controls; (viii) reviewing, in consultation with each fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing each fund’s financial statements; and (ix) other audit related matters. Mr. Hunt, Mr. Lemke, Mr. Nadel and Mr. Yanker currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Nadel serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met [XX] ([XX]) times during the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

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Governance Committee. The Board has a standing Governance Committee that is composed of each of the independent Trustees. The Governance Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Governance Committee include: (i) considering and reviewing Board governance and compensation issues; (ii) conducting a self-assessment of the Board’s operations; (iii) selecting and nominating all persons to serve as independent Trustees and considering proposals of and making recommendations for “interested” Trustee candidates to the Board; and (iv) reviewing shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board if such recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Committee at the Trust’s office. Mr. Hunt, Mr. Lemke, Mr. Nadel and Mr. Yanker currently serve as members of the Governance Committee. Mr. Lemke serves as the Chairman of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met [XX] ([XX]) times during the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

Fair Value Pricing Committee. The Board has also established a standing Fair Value Pricing Committee that is composed of various representatives of the Trust’s service providers, as appointed by the Board. The Fair Value Pricing Committee operates under procedures approved by the Board. The principal responsibility of the Fair Value Pricing Committee is to determine the fair value of securities for which current market quotations are not readily available. The Fair Value Pricing Committee’s determinations are reviewed by the Board.

 

Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of each of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

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Name Dollar Range of Fund Shares
(Fund)1
Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares
(All Funds in the Family of Investment Companies)1,2
Interested Trustee
William M. Doran None None
Independent Trustees
Jon C. Hunt None None
Thomas P. Lemke None None
Jay C. Nadel None None
Randall S. Yanker None None

 

1 Valuation date is December 31, 2020.
2 The Funds and the Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund and the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund are the only funds in the family of investment companies.

 

Board Compensation. The Trust paid the following fees to the Trustees during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

Name Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
Part of Fund
Expenses
Estimated
Annual Benefits
Upon Retirement
Total Compensation
from the Trust and
Fund Complex1
Interested Trustee
William M. Doran $0 N/A N/A $0 for service on one (1) board
Independent Trustees
Jon C. Hunt $89,002 N/A N/A $89,002 for service on one (1) board
Thomas P. Lemke $89,002 N/A N/A $89,002 for service on one (1) board
Jay C. Nadel $89,002 N/A N/A $89,002 for service on one (1) board
Randall S. Yanker $89,002 N/A N/A $89,002 for service on one (1) board

 

1All funds in the Fund Complex are series of the Trust.

 

Trust Officers. Set forth below are the names, years of birth, position with the Trust and length of time served, and the principal occupations for the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as executive officers of the Trust. There is no stated term of office for the officers of the Trust. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each officer is SEI Investments, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. The Chief Compliance Officer is the only officer who receives compensation from the Trust for his services.

 

Certain officers of the Trust also serve as officers of one or more mutual funds for which SEI Investments or its affiliates act as investment manager, administrator or distributor.

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position with Trust and Length of Time Served Principal Occupations in Past 5 Years
Michael Beattie
(Born: 1965)
President
(since 2014)
Director of Client Service, SEI Investments, since 2004.
James Bernstein
(Born: 1962)
Vice President
(since 2017)

Secretary
(since 2020)
Attorney, SEI Investments, since 2017.

Prior Positions: Self-employed consultant, 2017. Associate General Counsel & Vice President, Nationwide Funds Group and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, from 2002 to 2016. Assistant General Counsel & Vice President, Market Street Funds and Provident Mutual Insurance Company, from 1999 to 2002.
John Bourgeois
(Born: 1973)
Assistant Treasurer
(since 2017)
Fund Accounting Manager, SEI Investments, since 2000.
Russell Emery
(Born: 1962)
Chief Compliance Officer
(since 2014)
Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP since 2007. Chief Compliance Officer of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II, Bishop Street Funds, The KP Funds, Frost Family of Funds, The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III, Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust, Schroder Global Series Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust and SEI Catholic Values Trust. Chief Compliance Officer of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016. Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016. Chief Compliance Officer of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Chief Compliance Officer of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.
Eric C. Griffith
(Born: 1969)
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
(since 2020)
Counsel at SEI Investments since 2019. Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase & Co., from 2012 to 2018.
Matthew M. Maher
(Born: 1975)
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
(since 2018)
Counsel at SEI Investments since 2018. Attorney, Blank Rome LLP, from 2015 to 2018. Assistant Counsel & Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon, from 2013 to 2014. Attorney, Dilworth Paxson LLP, from 2006 to 2013.

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position with Trust and Length of Time Served Principal Occupations in Past 5 Years
Andrew Metzger
(Born: 1980)
Treasurer, Controller and Chief Financial Officer
(since 2021)
Director of Fund Accounting, SEI Investments, since 2020. Senior Director, Embark, from 2019 to 2020. Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from 2002 to 2019.
Robert Morrow
(Born: 1968)
Vice President
(since 2017)
Account Manager, SEI Investments, since 2007.
Alexander F. Smith
(Born: 1977)
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
(since 2020)
Counsel at SEI Investments since 2020. Associate Counsel & Manager, Vanguard, 2012 to 2020. Attorney, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 2008 to 2012.
Bridget E. Sudall
(Born: 1980)
Privacy Officer
(since 2015)

Anti-Money Laundering Officer
(since 2015)
Senior Associate and AML Officer, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, from 2011 to 2015. Investor Services Team Lead, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, from 2007 to 2011.

 

PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES

 

Shares of the Funds are offered and redeemed on a continuous basis. Purchases and redemptions may be made through the Transfer Agent on any day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business. Currently, the NYSE is closed for business when the following holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

It is currently the Trust’s policy to pay all redemptions in cash. The Trust retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by the Funds in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges on the sale of any such securities so received in payment of redemptions.

 

The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven days during times when the NYSE is closed, other than during customary weekends or holidays, for any period on which trading on the NYSE is restricted (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation), or during the existence of an emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of which the disposal or valuation of the Funds’ securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC has by order permitted. The Trust also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of the Funds for any period during which the NYSE, the Adviser, the Administrator, the Transfer Agent and/or the Custodian are not open for business.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

General Policy. The Funds adhere to Section 2(a)(41), and Rule 2a-4 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance.

 

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Equity Securities. Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on an exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on the valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time if such exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recent quoted bid price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Funds’ pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board.

 

Money Market Securities and other Debt Securities. If available, money market securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money market securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of each Fund’s pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board.

 

Foreign Securities. The prices for foreign securities are reported in local currency and converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates. Exchange rates are provided daily by recognized independent pricing agents.

 

Derivatives and Other Complex Securities. Exchange traded options on securities and indices purchased by the Funds generally are valued at their last trade price or, if there is no last trade price, the last bid price. Exchange traded options on securities and indices written by the Funds generally are valued at their last trade price or, if there is no last trade price, the last asked price. In the case of options traded in the over-the-counter market, if the OTC option is also an exchange traded option, the Funds will follow the rules regarding the valuation of exchange traded options. If the OTC option is not also an exchange traded option, the Funds will value the option at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

 

Futures and swaps cleared through a central clearing house (“centrally cleared swaps”) are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of the exchange on which they are traded. The daily settlement prices for financial futures are provided by an independent source. On days when there is excessive volume or market volatility, or the future or centrally cleared swap does not end trading by the time the Funds calculate net asset value, the settlement price may not be available at the time at which each Fund calculates its net asset value. On such days, the best available price (which is typically the last sales price) may be used to value a Fund’s futures or centrally cleared swaps position.

 

Foreign currency forward contracts are valued at the current day’s interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using the current day’s spot rate, and the thirty, sixty, ninety and one-hundred eighty day forward rates provided by an independent source.

 

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If available, non-centrally cleared swaps, collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations and bank loans are priced based on valuations provided by an independent third party pricing agent. If a price is not available from an independent third party pricing agent, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board.

 

Use of Third-Party Independent Pricing Agents and Independent Brokers. Pursuant to contracts with the Administrator, prices for most securities held by the Funds are provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator.

 

If a security price cannot be obtained from an independent, third-party pricing agent, the Administrator shall seek to obtain a bid price from at least one independent broker.

 

Fair Value Procedures. Securities for which market prices are not “readily available” or which cannot be valued using the methodologies described above are valued in accordance with Fair Value Procedures established by the Board and implemented through the Fair Value Pricing Committee. The members of the Fair Value Pricing Committee report, as necessary, to the Board regarding portfolio valuation determinations. The Board, from time to time, will review these methods of valuation and will recommend changes which may be necessary to assure that the investments of the Funds are valued at fair value.

 

Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate a security being valued using Fair Value Procedures include: the security’s trading has been halted or suspended; the security has been de-listed from a national exchange; the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; the security has not been traded for an extended period of time; the security’s primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price; trading of the security is subject to local government-imposed restrictions; or a significant event with respect to a security has occurred after the close of the market or exchange on which the security principally trades and before the time the Funds calculate net asset value. When a security is valued in accordance with the Fair Value Procedures, the Fair Value Pricing Committee will determine the value after taking into consideration relevant information reasonably available to the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

Fair Valuation of Foreign Securities Based on U.S. Market Movements. A third party fair valuation vendor provides a fair value for foreign securities held by the Funds based on certain factors and methodologies (involving, generally, tracking valuation correlations between the U.S. market and each foreign security) applied by the fair valuation vendor in the event that there are movements in the U.S. market that exceed a specific threshold that has been established by the Fair Value Pricing Committee. The Fair Value Pricing Committee has also established a “confidence interval” that is used to determine the level of correlation between the value of a foreign security and movements in the U.S. market that is required for a particular security to be fair valued when the threshold is exceeded. In the event that the threshold established by the Fair Value Pricing Committee is exceeded on a specific day, the Funds value the foreign securities in their portfolios that exceed the applicable “confidence interval” based upon the fair values provided by the fair valuation vendor. In such event, it is not necessary to hold a Fair Value Pricing Committee meeting. In the event that the Adviser believes that the fair values provided by the fair valuation vendor are not reliable, the Adviser can contact the Administrator and request that a meeting of the Fair Value Pricing Committee be held.

 

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TAXES

 

The following is only a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that is intended to supplement the discussion contained in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations, including their state, local, and foreign tax liabilities.

 

The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

 

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a RIC. By following such a policy, each Fund expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal taxes to which it may be subject. If a Fund qualifies as a RIC, it will generally not be subject to federal income taxes on the net investment income and net realized capital gains that it timely distributes to its shareholders. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

 

In order to qualify as a RIC under the Code, each Fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its net investment income (which, includes dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, less operating expenses) and at least 90% of its net tax exempt interest income, for each tax year, if any (the “Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet certain additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of each Fund’s gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (the “Qualifying Income Test”); and (ii) at the close of each quarter of each Fund’s taxable year: (A) at least 50% of the value of each Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of each Fund’s total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, including the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership, and (B) not more than 25% of the value of each Fund’s total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or the securities (other than the securities of another RIC) of two or more issuers that a Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Asset Test”).

 

Although each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and may distribute its capital gains for any taxable year, each Fund will be subject to federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. A Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein. Losses in one Fund do not offset gains in another and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying RIC status are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level.

 

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If a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income or Asset Tests in any taxable year, such Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. If a Fund fails to maintain qualification as a RIC for a tax year, and the relief provisions are not available, such Fund will be subject to federal income tax at the regular corporate rate (currently 21%) without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In such case, its shareholders would be taxed as if they received ordinary dividends, although corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends received deduction (subject to certain limitations) and individuals may be able to benefit from the lower tax rates available to qualified dividend income. In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC.

 

A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as “post-October losses”) and certain other late-year losses.

 

The treatment of capital loss carryovers for the Funds is similar to the rules that apply to capital loss carryovers of individuals, which provide that such losses are carried over indefinitely. If a Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. The carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if a Fund experiences an ownership change as defined in the Code.

 

Federal Excise Tax. Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which generally requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and the excess of its exempt interest income (but does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gain), a Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute, by the end of the calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short- and long-term capital gains over short- and long-term capital losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year (including any retained amount from the prior calendar year on which a Fund paid no federal income tax). The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions to avoid liability for federal excise tax, but can make no assurances that such tax will be completely eliminated. The Funds may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate Fund investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid federal excise tax liability at a time when the Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of the Funds to satisfy the requirement for qualification as RICs.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. The Funds receive income generally in the form of dividends and interest on investments. This income, plus net short-term capital gains, if any, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. Any distributions by a Fund from such income will be taxable to you as ordinary income or at the lower capital gains rates that apply to individuals receiving qualified dividend income, whether you take them in cash or in additional shares.

 

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Distributions by the Funds are currently eligible for the reduced maximum tax rate to individuals of 20% (lower rates apply to individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the Funds receive qualified dividend income on the securities they hold and the Funds report the distributions as qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that: (i) the shareholder has not held the shares on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares become “ex-dividend” (which is the day on which declared distributions (dividends or capital gains) are deducted from each Fund’s assets before it calculates the net asset value) with respect to such dividend, (ii) each Fund has not satisfied similar holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder, (iii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iv) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Code. Therefore, if you lend your shares in a Fund, such as pursuant to a securities lending arrangement, you may lose the ability to treat dividends (paid while the shares are held by the borrower) as qualified dividend income. Distributions that a Fund receives from an ETF, an underlying fund taxable as a RIC or from a REIT will be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent so reported by such ETF, underlying fund or REIT. The Funds’ investment strategies may limit their ability to make distributions eligible for the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income.

 

Distributions by the Funds of their net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions consisting of a Fund’s net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains for individual shareholders currently set at a maximum rate of 20% regardless of how long you have held your shares in such Fund. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards.

 

In the case of corporate shareholders, Fund distributions (other than capital gain distributions) generally qualify for the dividends received deduction to the extent such distributions are so reported and do not exceed the gross amount of qualifying dividends received by a Fund for the year. Generally, and subject to certain limitations (including certain holding period limitations), a dividend will be treated as a qualifying dividend if it has been received from a domestic corporation. The Funds’ investment strategies may limit their ability to make distributions eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders.

 

To the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders.

 

If a Fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in a Fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

 

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A dividend or distribution received shortly after the purchase of shares reduces the net asset value of the shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution and, although in effect a return of capital, will be taxable to the shareholder. If the net asset value of shares were reduced below the shareholder’s cost by dividends or distributions representing gains realized on sales of securities, such dividends or distributions would be a return of investment though taxable to the shareholder in the same manner as other dividends or distributions.

 

The Funds (or their administrative agent) will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, and will advise you of their tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Fund shares for a full year, the Funds may designate and distribute to you, as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Funds.

 

Dividends declared to shareholders of record in October, November or December and actually paid in January of the following year will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared. Under this rule, therefore, a shareholder may be taxed in one year on dividends or distributions actually received in January of the following year.

 

Sales, Exchanges or Redemptions. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder who is not a dealer in securities will generally, for individual shareholders, be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than twelve months and otherwise will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. However, if shares on which a shareholder has received a long-term capital gain distribution are subsequently sold, exchanged or redeemed and such shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the loss realized on a sale or other disposition of shares will be disallowed to the extent a shareholder repurchases (or enters into a contract to or option to repurchase) shares within a period of 61 days (beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares). This loss disallowance rule will apply to shares received through the reinvestment of dividends during the 61-day period. For tax purposes, an exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different fund is the same as a sale.

 

U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly) are subject to a 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and capital gains (including any capital gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares of a Fund).

 

The Funds (or their administrative agent) must report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Fund shareholders the cost basis information for purchases of Fund shares. In addition to the requirement to report the gross proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, a Fund is also required to report the cost basis information for such shares and indicate whether these shares had a short-term or long-term holding period. For each sale of Fund shares, a Fund will permit shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods, including the average cost basis method. In the absence of an election, a Fund will use the average cost basis method as its default cost basis method. The cost basis method elected by a Fund shareholder (or the cost basis method applied by default) for each sale of Fund shares may not be changed after the settlement date of each such sale of Fund shares. Fund shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how cost basis reporting applies to them. Shareholders also should carefully review the cost basis information provided to them by the Funds and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns.

 

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Tax Treatment of Complex Securities. The Funds may invest in complex securities and these investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect a Fund’s ability to qualify as a RIC, affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Funds are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Funds and/or defer the Funds’ ability to recognize losses, and, in limited cases, subject the Funds to U.S. federal income tax on income from certain of their foreign securities. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by the Funds and may require the Funds to sell securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of a Fund as a RIC at a time when the Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

 

Each Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures and options contracts subject to section 1256 of the Code ("Section 1256 Contracts") as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from Section 1256 Contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on Section 1256 Contracts to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. These provisions may also require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and for avoiding the excise tax discussed above. Accordingly, in order to avoid certain income and excise taxes, a Fund may be required to liquidate its investments at a time when the Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

 

In general, for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test described above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by a Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, (ii) that derives at least 90% of its income from the passive income sources specified in Code section 7704(d), and (iii) that generally derives less than 90% of its income from the same sources as described in the Qualifying Income Test) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

 

The Funds may invest in certain MLPs, which may be treated as “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Income from qualified publicly traded partnerships is qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test, but a Fund’s investment in one or more of such “qualified publicly traded partnerships” is limited under the Asset Test to no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets. The Funds will monitor their investments in such qualified publicly traded partnerships in order to ensure compliance with the Qualifying Income and Asset Tests. MLPs and other partnerships that the Funds may invest in will deliver Schedules K-1 to the Funds to report their share of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the MLP or other partnership. These Schedules K-1 may be delayed and may not be received until after the time that a Fund issues its tax reporting statements. As a result, a Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify the amount and character of its distributions to you after it issues you your tax reporting statement.

 

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"Qualified publicly traded partnership income” within the meaning of Section 199A(e)(5) of the Code is eligible for a 20% deduction by non-corporate taxpayers. Qualified publicly traded partnership income is generally income of a “publicly traded partnership” that is not treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is effectively connected with such entity’s trade or business, but does not include certain investment income. A “publicly traded partnership” for purposes of this deduction is not necessarily the same as a “qualified publicly traded partnership,” as defined above. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). The Code does not contain a provision permitting a RIC, such as a Fund, to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. Currently, direct investors in entities that generate “qualified publicly traded partnership income” will enjoy the lower rate, but investors in RICs that invest in such entities will not. It is uncertain whether future technical corrections or administrative guidance will address this issue to enable a Fund to pass through the special character of “qualified publicly traded partnership income” to shareholders.

 

A Fund may invest in REITs. Investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, such Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to the Fund’s shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends paid by a REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary income up to the amount of the REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a REIT to a Fund will be treated as long-term capital gains by a Fund and, in turn, may be distributed by the Fund to its shareholders as a capital gain distribution. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends received deduction. If a REIT is operated in a manner such that it fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

"Qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) are eligible for a 20% deduction by non-corporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that are attributable to qualified REIT dividends received by the Fund and which the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” are treated as “qualified REIT dividends” in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying RIC shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.

 

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REITs in which a Fund invests often do not provide complete and final tax information to the Fund until after the time that the Fund issues a tax reporting statement. As a result, a Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify the amount and character of its distributions to you after it issues your tax reporting statement. When such reclassification is necessary, a Fund (or its administrative agent) will send you a corrected, final Form 1099-DIV to reflect the reclassified information. If you receive a corrected Form 1099-DIV, use the information on this corrected form, and not the information on the previously issued tax reporting statement, in completing your tax returns.

 

If a Fund owns shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to as “passive foreign investment companies” or “PFICs,” the Fund will generally be subject to one of the following special tax regimes: (i) the Fund may be liable for U.S. federal income tax, and an additional interest charge, on a portion of any “excess distribution” from such foreign entity or any gain from the disposition of such shares, even if the entire distribution or gain is paid out by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders; (ii) if the Fund were able and elected to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF,” the Fund would be required each year to include in income, and distribute to shareholders in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above, the Fund’s pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the PFIC, whether or not such earnings or gains are distributed to the Fund; or (iii) the Fund may be entitled to mark-to-market annually shares of the PFIC, and in such event would be required to distribute to shareholders any such mark-to-market gains in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above. Such Fund intends to make the appropriate tax elections, if possible, and take any additional steps that are necessary to mitigate the effect of these rules. Amounts included in income each year by a Fund arising from a QEF election will be “qualifying income” under the Qualifying Income Test (as described above) even if not distributed to the Fund, if the Fund derives such income from its business of investing in stock, securities or currencies.

 

Certain Foreign Currency Tax Issues. A Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts will generally be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the Distribution Requirements and for avoiding the excise tax described above. Each Fund intends to monitor its transactions, intends to make the appropriate tax elections, and intends to make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any foreign currency or forward foreign currency contract in order to mitigate the effect of these rules so as to prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC and minimize the imposition of income and excise taxes.

 

The U.S. Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from the Qualifying Income Test described above if such gains are not directly related to a Fund’s business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities). Accordingly, regulations may be issued in the future that could treat some or all of a Fund’s non-U.S. currency gains as non-qualifying income, thereby potentially jeopardizing the Fund’s status as a RIC for all years to which the regulations are applicable.

 

Foreign Taxes. Dividends and interest received by a Fund may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on the Fund's stocks or securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.

 

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If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to and intends to file an election with the IRS that may enable shareholders, in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a deduction from such taxes, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to the election, a Fund will treat those taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders. Each such shareholder will be required to include a proportionate share of those taxes in gross income as income received from a foreign source and must treat the amount so included as if the shareholder had paid the foreign tax directly. The shareholder may then either deduct the taxes deemed paid by him or her in computing his or her taxable income or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating any foreign tax credit they may be entitled to use against the shareholders’ federal income tax. If a Fund makes the election, the Fund (or its administrative agent) will report annually to its shareholders the respective amounts per share of the Fund’s income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions. If the Fund does not hold sufficient foreign securities to meet the above threshold, then shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or further deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

 

A shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in a shareholder not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. In particular, shareholders must hold their Fund shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 additional days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a given dividend. Shareholders who do not itemize on their federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such foreign taxes. Even if a Fund were eligible to make such an election for a given year, it may determine not to do so. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in a Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.

 

Foreign tax credits, if any, received by a Fund as a result of an investment in another RIC (including an ETF which is taxable as a RIC) will not be passed through to you unless the Fund qualifies as a “qualified fund-of-funds” under the Code. If a Fund is a “qualified fund-of-funds” it will be eligible to file an election with the IRS that will enable the Fund to pass along these foreign tax credits to its shareholders. A Fund will be treated as a “qualified fund-of-funds” under the Code if at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year) is represented by interests in other RICs.

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k)s, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Tax-exempt entities are not permitted to offset losses from one trade or business against the income or gain of another trade or business. Certain net losses incurred prior to January 1, 2018 are permitted to offset gain and income created by an unrelated trade or business, if otherwise available. Under current law, the Funds generally serve to block UBTI from being realized by their tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of an investment in a Fund where, for example: (i) the Fund invests in residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”), (ii) the Fund invests in a REIT that is a taxable mortgage pool (“TMP”) or that has a subsidiary that is a TMP or that invests in the residual interest of a REMIC, or (iii) shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisor. The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding these issues.

 

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A Fund’s shares held in a tax-qualified retirement account will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gains distributions from the Fund until a shareholder begins receiving payments from their retirement account. Because each shareholder’s tax situation is different, shareholders should consult their tax advisor about the tax implications of an investment in the Funds.

 

Backup Withholding. A Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold at a 24% withholding rate and remit to the U.S. Treasury the amount withheld on amounts payable to any shareholder who: (i) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all; (ii) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends; (iii) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding; or (iv) has failed to certify to the Fund that the shareholder is a U.S. person (including a resident alien).

 

Non-U.S. Investors. Any non-U.S. investors in the Funds may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are encouraged to consult their tax advisors prior to investing in the Funds. Foreign shareholders (i.e., nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived from taxable ordinary income. A Fund may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. Short-term capital gain dividends received by a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year are not exempt from this 30% withholding tax. Gains realized by foreign shareholders from the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless the recipient is an individual who is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year. Foreign shareholders who fail to provide an applicable IRS form may be subject to backup withholding on certain payments from a Fund. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that are subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described above. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above.

 

Under legislation generally known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the Funds are required to withhold 30% of certain ordinary dividends they pay to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or non-U.S. person that timely provides the certifications required by the Funds or their agent on a valid IRS Form W-9 or applicable series of IRS Form W-8, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), such as non-U.S. investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (“NFFEs”). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify and provide other required information to the Funds or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such non-U.S. shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and other guidance. A non-U.S. shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of the agreement.

 

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A non-U.S. entity that invests in a Fund will need to provide such Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisors in this regard.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC such as a Fund are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

State Taxes. Depending upon state and local law, distributions by a Fund to its shareholders and the ownership of such shares may be subject to state and local taxes. Rules of state and local taxation of dividend and capital gains distributions from RICs often differ from the rules for federal income taxation described above. It is expected that a Fund will not be liable for any corporate tax in Delaware if it qualifies as a RIC for federal income tax purposes.

 

Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by a Fund. Investment in Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae securities, banker’s acceptances, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for such tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding state and local taxes applicable to an investment in a Fund.

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities, both listed and over-the-counter, are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, the Funds will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Funds execute transactions in the over-the-counter market, they will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

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In addition, the Adviser may place a combined order for two or more accounts it manages, including the Funds, engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best price and execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account or fund. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or the Funds may obtain, it is the opinion of the Adviser that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of combined orders.

 

Brokerage Selection. The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser. The Adviser may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Funds to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Funds.

 

To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used by the Adviser in connection with the Funds or any other specific client account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

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From time to time, the Adviser may purchase new issues of securities for clients, including the Funds, in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. The Funds may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Funds or the Adviser for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. The 1940 Act requires that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Funds for exchange transactions not exceed “usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Trustees, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.

 

Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers.” The Funds are required to identify any securities of their “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that the Funds held during their most recent fiscal year. Because the Funds are new, as of the date of this SAI, the Funds did not hold any securities of their “regular brokers or dealers.”

 

Portfolio Turnover Rates. Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of total purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. Excluded from both the numerator and denominator are amounts relating to securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts in which the Funds may invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one year. The Funds may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments, such as repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Board has approved a policy and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances regarding the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings information to shareholders and third parties. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that disclosure of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio securities is in the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders, and include procedures to address conflicts between the interests of the Funds’ shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliated person of the Funds, the Adviser, or the Funds’ principal underwriter, on the other. Pursuant to such procedures, the Board has authorized the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “Authorized Person”) to authorize the release of the Funds’ portfolio holdings, as necessary, in conformity with the foregoing principles. The Authorized Person, either directly or through reports by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, reports quarterly to the Board regarding the operation and administration of such policies and procedures.

 

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Pursuant to applicable law, the Funds are required to disclose their complete portfolio holdings quarterly, within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter (currently, each January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31). Each Fund discloses a complete or summary schedule of investments (which includes the Fund’s 50 largest holdings in unaffiliated issuers and each investment in unaffiliated issuers that exceeds one percent of the Fund’s net asset value (“Summary Schedule”)) in its Semi-Annual and Annual Reports which are distributed to Fund shareholders. Each Fund's complete schedule of investments following the first and third fiscal quarters will be available in quarterly holdings reports filed with the SEC as exhibits to Form N-PORT, and each Fund's complete schedule of investments following the second and fourth fiscal quarters will be available in shareholder reports filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR.

 

Complete schedules of investments filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR and as exhibits to Form N-PORT are not distributed to Fund shareholders but are available, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Should a Fund include only a Summary Schedule rather than a complete schedule of investments in its Semi-Annual and Annual Reports, its complete schedule of investments will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-844-426-8721.

 

In addition to the quarterly portfolio holdings disclosure required by applicable law, each Fund will post on the internet at www.ninetyone.com (i) its top 10 holdings within 20 days after the end of each calendar quarter and (ii) its complete holdings within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The portfolio holdings information placed on the Funds’ website generally will remain there until replaced by new postings as described above.

 

In addition to information provided to shareholders and the general public, portfolio holdings information may be disclosed as frequently as daily to the Funds' Adviser, Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent, financial printer, pricing vendors, liquidity analytics vendors, class action reclaim vendors and foreign tax reclaim vendors and other vendors that provide the Adviser with various middle office, back office, client reporting and portfolio analytics services in connection with their services to the Funds. From time to time rating and ranking organizations, such as S&P, Lipper and Morningstar, Inc., may request non-public portfolio holdings information in connection with rating the Funds. Similarly, institutional investors, financial planners, pension plan sponsors and/or their consultants or other third-parties may request portfolio holdings information in order to assess the risks of the Funds’ portfolios along with related performance attribution statistics. The lag time for such disclosures will vary. The Funds believe that these third parties have legitimate objectives in requesting such portfolio holdings information.

 

The Funds’ policies and procedures provide that the Authorized Person may authorize disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information to such parties at differing times and/or with different lag times. Prior to making any disclosure to a third party, the Authorized Person must determine that such disclosure serves a reasonable business purpose, is in the best interests of a Fund’s shareholders and that to the extent conflicts between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders and those of the Adviser, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Fund exist, such conflicts are addressed. Portfolio holdings information may be disclosed no more frequently than monthly to ratings agencies, consultants and other qualified financial professionals or individuals. The disclosures will not be made sooner than three days after the date of the information. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will regularly review these arrangements and will make periodic reports to the Board regarding disclosure pursuant to such arrangements.

 

With the exception of disclosures to rating and ranking organizations as described above, the Funds require any third party receiving non-public holdings information to enter into a confidentiality agreement with the Adviser. The confidentiality agreement provides, among other things, that non-public portfolio holdings information will be kept confidential and that the recipient has a duty not to trade on the non-public information and will use such information solely to analyze and rank the Funds, or to perform due diligence and asset allocation, depending on the recipient of the information.

 

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The Trust’s policies and procedures prohibit any compensation or other consideration from being paid to or received by any party in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information, including the Funds, the Adviser and their affiliates or recipients of the Funds’ portfolio holdings information.

 

The Adviser may manage other accounts that are not subject to these policies and procedures with investment objectives and strategies that are substantially similar to those of a Fund. Because the portfolio holdings of such accounts may be substantially similar, and in some cases nearly identical, to those of a Fund, an investor in such an account may be able to infer the portfolio holdings of a Fund from the portfolio holdings of the account.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of funds and shares of each fund, each of which represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the fund. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees may create additional series or classes of shares. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional fund and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that fund and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued. The Funds’ shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES’ LIABILITY

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, and any person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise to the extent and in the manner provided in the By-Laws. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee’s individual liability in any manner inconsistent with the federal securities laws.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board has delegated the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI.

 

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The Trust is required to disclose annually the Funds’ complete proxy voting record during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 on Form N-PX. This voting record is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-844-426-8721; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Board, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, the Administrator and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (“Access Persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by Access Persons. Under each Code of Ethics, Access Persons are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.

 

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND CONTROL PERSONS

 

Because the Funds are new, as of the date of this SAI, the Funds did not have any principal shareholders or control persons to report.

 

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APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

 

Description of Ratings

 

The following descriptions of securities ratings have been published by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), respectively.

 

Description of Moody’s Global Ratings

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Short-term ratings are assigned for obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

 

Description of Moody’s Global Long-Term Ratings

 

Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Ba Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

Caa Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Ca Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

C Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

A-1 

 

Hybrid Indicator (hyb)

 

The hybrid indicator (hyb) is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

 

Description of Moody’s Global Short-Term Ratings

 

P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Description of Moody’s U.S. Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings

 

The Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) scale is used to rate U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale is used to rate bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

 

Moody’s U.S. municipal short-term obligation ratings are as follows:

 

MIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Description of Moody’s Demand Obligation Ratings

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned. The components are a long-term rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon-demand feature (“demand feature”) of the VRDO. The short-term demand obligation rating uses the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (“VMIG”) scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term counterparty risk assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade. The VMIG short-term demand obligation rating is typically assigned if the frequency of the demand feature is less than every three years. If the frequency of the demand feature is less than three years but the purchase price is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the short-term demand obligation rating is “NR”.

 

A-2 

 

Moody’s demand obligation ratings are as follows:

 

VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

Description of S&P’s Issue Credit Ratings

 

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. S&P would typically assign a long-term issue credit rating to an obligation with an original maturity of greater than 365 days. However, the ratings S&P assigns to certain instruments may diverge from these guidelines based on market practices. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

 

• The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

A-3 

 

• The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise S&P imputes; and

 

• The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

NR indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

 

Description of S&P’s Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

 

AAA An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

 

A An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

BB; B; CCC; CC; and C Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

 

BB An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

B An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

CCC An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

A-4 

 

CC An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

C An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

D An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

 

*Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

 

Description of S&P’s Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

A-1 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

A-2 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-3 A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

B A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

C A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

D A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

 

A-5 

 

Description of S&P’s Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings

 

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P’s analysis will review the following considerations:

 

• Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

• Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

S&P’s municipal short-term note ratings are as follows:

 

SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

D ‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Description of Fitch’s Credit Ratings

 

Fitch’s credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Credit ratings relating to securities and obligations of an issuer can include a recovery expectation. Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested.

 

The terms “investment grade” and “speculative grade” have established themselves over time as shorthand to describe the categories ‘AAA’ to ‘BBB’ (investment grade) and ‘BB’ to ‘D’ (speculative grade). The terms investment grade and speculative grade are market conventions and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. Investment grade categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the speculative categories either signal a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.

 

For the convenience of investors, Fitch may also include issues relating to a rated issuer that are not and have not been rated on its web page. Such issues are also denoted as ‘NR’.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, ratings do not deal with the risk of a market value loss on a rated security due to changes in interest rates, liquidity and other market considerations. However, in terms of payment obligation on the rated liability, market risk may be considered to the extent that it influences the ability of an issuer to pay upon a commitment.

 

A-6 

 

Ratings nonetheless do not reflect market risk to the extent that they influence the size or other conditionality of the obligation to pay upon a commitment (for example, in the case of index-linked bonds).

 

In the default components of ratings assigned to individual obligations or instruments, the agency typically rates to the likelihood of non-payment or default in accordance with the terms of that instrument’s documentation. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e. rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligation’s documentation).

 

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ ratings and ratings below the ‘CCC’ category. For the short-term rating category of ‘F1’, a ‘+’ may be appended.

 

Description of Fitch’s Long-Term Corporate Finance Obligations Ratings

 

AAA Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

AA Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

A High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

BBB Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

BB Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

 

B Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

 

CCC Substantial credit risk. ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

 

CC Very high levels of credit risk. ‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

 

C Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. ‘C’ ratings indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

 

Ratings in the categories of ‘CCC’, ‘CC’ and ‘C’ can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only.

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned ‘RD’ or ‘D’ ratings, but are instead rated in the ‘CCC’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

 

A-7 

 

Description of Fitch’s Short-Term Ratings

 

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. A long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

Fitch’s short-term ratings are as follows:

 

F1 Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

F2 Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

F3 Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

B Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

RD Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

D Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

A-8 

 

APPENDIX B

 

Ninety One North America, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

Ownership policy and proxy voting guidelines

 

ESG

 

Ninety One Funds B-1

 

 

Contents

 

Stewardship statement

3

Proxy voting process

3

Proxy voting guidelines

7

1. Leadership and strategic control

7

2. Alignment with the long term

10

3. Protecting client capital

11

4. Audit and disclosure

13

 

B-2Ninety One Funds

 

 

Stewardship statement

 

Ninety One exists to manage other people’s money with the aim of delivering on their mandate. To successfully fulfil this purpose, we assume a stewardship role over clients’ assets. This includes exercising their ownership rights, such as by proxy voting.

 

Within the various jurisdictions in which we invest, we seek to contribute meaningfully towards the development of a successful stewardship framework for investment and ownership. We endorse a range of globally recognised governance principles1, which represent a broad set of standards. We view them as suitable for listed companies across most markets.

 

We address our stewardship responsibilities by engaging with our clients and the companies in which we invest. We endeavour to engage with the relevant company before the corporate meeting takes place, particularly if we are casting a vote that does not support management.

 

1.

G20 OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, King IV in South Africa and UK Corporate Governance Code

 

Proxy voting process

 

Our approach to proxy voting guidelines

 

Ninety One recognises that local best practice codes may differ: although our proxy voting guidelines apply globally, we recognise regional differences. In markets where the codes are still evolving and not yet fully aligned with global best practice, we take this into account. In these markets, we aim to engage actively with policy makers, regulators and stock exchanges, together with other global and local investors, to address the more critical potential shortcomings. Furthermore, we consider the size and maturity of each individual business, and if deemed appropriate, we may take a more pragmatic approach while remaining actively engaged.

 

The overall proxy voting guidelines rest within our broader stewardship policy framework. They focus on the following five principles whereby Ninety One:

 

1.

Will disclose how it discharges its stewardship duties through publicly available policies and reporting.

 

2.

Will address the internal governance of effective stewardship, including conflicts of interest and potential obstacles.

 

3.

Will support a long-term investment perspective by integrating, engaging, escalating and monitoring material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues.

 

4.

Will exercise its ownership rights responsibly, including engagement and voting rights.

 

5.

Is, where appropriate, willing to act alongside other investors.

 

The voting guidelines in this document apply across all our holdings as allowed by legal arrangements. Some clients may have their own policy which differs from that of Ninety One. In this situation, clients are expected to opt out of Ninety One’s stewardship policy, so that an alternative system can be put in place that accommodates the client’s own guidelines.

 

Ninety One publicly discloses its voting decisions on a quarterly basis on our website. (www.ninetyone.com/en/investment-expertise/stewardship/proxy-voting-results)

 

Ninety One Funds B-3

 

 

Proxy voting process

 

We believe that effective shareholder rights are the cornerstone of ownership rights. To be effective, we believe the following are key:

 

One vote for one share. There should be one vote for one share, since this aligns shareholders’ voting rights with their economic exposure. As such, we defend the equitable treatment of all shareholders, especially minority shareholders. Where different share classes exist, one class should not have superior voting rights with respect to matters that affect the capital of other share classes.

 

Timely provision of information. A company’s board must ensure the timely release of all material information pertaining to voting issues. While different jurisdictions may vary in terms of record dates and timeframes, we believe that the relevant cut-off dates should allow sufficient time for all shareholders to consider the decision at hand. Critically, the timeframe should allow us to communicate with clients when necessary and carry out engagements where appropriate. Thus, we will actively oppose any resolutions clearly intended to acquire shareholder consent by default through not allowing adequate time for shareholders to consider matters.

 

Easy access to voting. We support voting by way of a poll and believe that votes which ask for a ‘show of hands’ disenfranchise proxy shareholders and those not present at the meeting. We view this as an abrogation of shareholders’ rights. We support the introduction of electronic voting in all markets and the removal of paper and fax-based voting. Moreover, where appropriate we will support the introduction of real-time shareholder meetings, where questions can be publicly raised through web-based links, so long as these arrangements do not remove the opportunity for shareholders to attend in person.

 

Clear record taking. We believe that all issues raised at shareholder meetings should be clearly recorded in detailed minutes and placed on public record. This includes the prompt online disclosure of vote outcomes, as a percentage of votes cast, and on a per-resolution basis.

 

The diagram below shows how Ninety One executes the proxy voting process. Note that Ninety One does not outsource the voting decision to any third party, as we carry out the decision and execution of the vote in house. We use an external proxy research service provider to produce tailored reports. These reports include vote recommendations (not instructions) that arise from applying Ninety One’s voting guidelines. The vote decision is then reached by the relevant investment teams in accordance with the investment philosophy, supported by the ESG team. Although highly unusual, investment teams may occasionally vote differently from one another based on their unique strategies. The votes are subsequently instructed electronically via the proxy research service provider’s voting platform.

 

B-4Ninety One Funds

 

 

 

Ninety One Funds B-5

 

 

Conflicts of interest

 

Ninety One is committed as a fiduciary to its clients. As such, it will always seek to manage any possible conflicts that may occur through its normal business activities so that there is no material risk of damage to clients. Importantly, Ninety One will observe and enforce all ‘ethics walls’ between itself and various other operating subsidiaries of the Ninety One Group of Companies (the Group).

 

Ninety One has a firm-wide conflicts of interest policy as well as a separate conflict of interest committee that manages the broader remit of potential conflicts across the business. Proxy voting related conflict-ofinterest considerations are addressed in this document, which also addresses listed director nominations, the engagement process and fundamental transactions. Specifically, the key areas where conflicts of interest could arise include:

 

1.

Proxy voting: Ninety One has established processes to manage potential conflict-of-interest issues through the voting process. These conflicts can vary in nature and we respond to each case individually, following a strict process. In some instances, we would refrain from taking the voting decision ourselves and instead defer the decision to our clients. An example would be voting on holdings in listed Ninety One-managed funds and Ninety One Plc/Ltd. If underlying owners express a vote decision, the ESG team will instruct it on the voting platform. If they decline to do so, Ninety One will cast a ‘do not vote’ at the meeting. Other, less severe conflict-of-interest risks could be instances of Ninety One board members, Ninety One senior employees and/or client senior employees serving on the boards of other publicly listed companies. To manage this, the ESG team has put in place an internal regularly updated map of board memberships. This enables conflicted meetings to be flagged early. In these cases, the relevant portfolio manager is notified of the conflict and the normal voting process applies, including escalation to the Ninety One Investment Governance Committee, when appropriate. Some perceived conflicts of interest may be less controversial and may involve voting at a clients’ AGM etc. In this situation, portfolio managers notify the ESG team and normal voting applies.

 

2.

Fundamental transactions: From time to time Ninety One and its clients may become involved on both sides of a fundamental transaction. In such cases, Ninety One will seek to ensure that all appropriate factors are considered prior to any transaction or recommendation taking place. If necessary, we will engage directly with our clients to determine an appropriate course of action.

 

3.

Nominating directors: Ninety One will endeavour to nominate candidates that it objectively considers to be independent of Ninety One. Should Ninety One deem it necessary to nominate a candidate that is in any way affiliated to itself or its parent company, it will ensure that the candidate is not presented with any conflicts of interest that may impact their ability to fulfil their responsibilities as a director, or as an employee of Ninety One.

 

4.

Engagement: In theory, there is a risk that Ninety One could favour some companies in the engagement process where the Group, or Ninety One, has a prior relationship and so would be failing in its duty to treat all its clients equally.

 

To mitigate against such a risk, Ninety One has established a governance structure to ensure that these situations are appropriately identified and managed.

 

Reporting to clients

 

Ninety One fully supports clients that take an active interest in fulfilling their ownership responsibilities. While reporting will be customised to meet specific requirements, we intend to ensure that clients are kept well informed, on a timely basis, as to how we are fulfilling ownership responsibilities on their behalf. In addition to client reporting, we also provide quarterly disclosure of our votes on the Ninety One website.

 

Ninety One governance structure for effective stewardship

 

The Ninety One Investment Governance Committee (NOIGC) is the custodian of Ninety One’s approach to stewardship. The NOIGC comprises Ninety One’s CEO, Deputy CEOs, Co-CIOs, senior members of the investment teams and key members of its Stewardship and Governance team.

 

B-6Ninety One Funds

 

 

The NOIGC is responsible for:

 

1.

The annual review of Ninety One’s approach to stewardship.

 

2.

The review and updating of Ninety One’s proxy voting guidelines.

 

3.

Acting as the ultimate authority for any direct engagement undertaken by Ninety One on behalf of its clients.

 

4.

Being the final arbiter of any disputes or differences of opinion with respect to possible votes or engagements.

 

5.

Any other activities related to overall philosophy, approach and execution of the stewardship of clients’ assets.

 

Proxy voting guidelines

 

Ninety One has organised its assessment of corporate governance related matters under four broad areas:

 

1

 

Leadership and strategic control

 

2

 

Alignment with the long term

 

3

 

Protecting client capital

 

4

 

Audit and disclosure

 

1. Leadership and strategic control

 

The board and its directors

 

The board determines the strategic direction of the company, taking into account the interests of the company and all its stakeholders. The board bears ultimate responsibility for the long-term sustainable success of the company.

 

Although board structures vary across countries, Ninety One expects boards to:

 

Be sufficiently independent, so as to protect all shareholders’ interests.

 

Have adequate executive representation, so as to provide significant operational insight.

 

Provide strong and diverse oversight, underpinned by a variety of skills and experiences that replicate the business’s key features and geographies.

 

Maintain an optimal board size, with appropriate board refreshment, succession plans, and correct attendance to find the right balance between fresh perspectives and company history.

 

We believe directors should stand for re-election regularly, and that there should be clear and detailed disclosures of a director’s background. These should be made available to shareholders to facilitate assessment of their suitability.

 

We expect a board to include a sufficient number of independent directors. Some common obstacles to independence include:

 

Founder status.

 

Family relations with senior executives or founders.

 

Excessive tenure.

 

Having served as an executive in the previous five years.

 

Having business relationships with the company or its executives.

 

A shareholding in the company of over 10% of the issued share capital.

 

Ninety One Funds B-7

 

 

Interlocking directorships

 

The chair leads the board and is responsible for its overall effectiveness in directing the company. Should the company be large and complex in nature, or the chairperson not be independent, Ninety One would require a suitably experienced and senior board member to be appointed as the

 

Lead/Senior Independent Director (LID/SID). The LID should be able to engage independently with owners on governance-related issues. The LID should also assume key governance responsibilities, including the supervision of the annual evaluation of the chairperson. The LID should also handle specific issues relating to conflicts of interest of board members, should the chairperson not be independent. We consider a combined chairperson and CEO role to be a governance risk.

 

The voting guidelines arising from the above are:

 

Unless there is a particular context and explanation we may not support the (re)-election of the chairperson where:

 

 

They are considered to be not independent.

 

 

They are the former CEO.

 

 

There has been a clear failure to conduct periodic reviews of the performance of the board.

 

 

They have repeatedly refused to adhere to reasonable disclosure requests.

 

 

There has been disregard for the interests of stakeholders, the environmental and social impacts.

 

 

There is a lack of succession planning and there is no engagement on the topic.

 

 

Shareholder rights and the ability to communicate with the board have been impaired.

 

 

There are persistent and unaddressed governance failures that pose a material risk, unless the board has provided a strong rationale.

 

We may vote against a combined chair and CEO board structure, although we will consider all circumstances, including duration of appointment, the potential concentration of power and explicit disclosures on how conflicts of interest have been managed.

 

We may not support non-independent directors where the overall board balance is not majority independent or does not at least meet the local market requirements.

 

We generally accept proportional representation of shareholdings on the board, so long as minority shareholders’ interests are respected.

 

We will, in the first instance, focus on non-independent non-executive directors who also serve as key committee members when the overall board is not majority independent.

 

Where executive directors sit as committee members, we may vote against the executive directors.

 

We may vote against directors, including the chairperson, if, from a sustainability point of view, there are unmitigated risks, poor disclosure, incidents and failure to appropriately manage and anticipate environmental and social risks which have resulted in the destruction of shareholder value.

 

We may vote against the re-election of any director who has not attended 75% of the total number of board and relevant committee meetings in the period since they were last elected to the board, unless an appropriate explanation has been provided.

 

We may vote against directors who, due to having accumulated multiple board roles at other publicly listed companies or large unlisted companies, run the risk of not being able to properly discharge their fiduciary duties. We will look at the number of external roles, the roles themselves, and the market capitalisation of the companies concerned.

 

B-8Ninety One Funds

 

 

We prefer boards that are adequately sized and may vote against certain directors if we consider the board to be too large and unwieldly.

 

Ninety One expects timely disclosure of names and biographical details of all nominees. We may vote against candidates where such information is not disclosed.

 

As a general principle, we do not support bundled directors’ elections, although we will be guided by regional best practice.

 

We do not support proposals that remove directors from being re-elected by either a clean slate (100% of the board) or by rotation (usually 33% per year).

 

We do not generally support the election of alternate directors.

 

Board committees

 

We expect the audit, remuneration and nomination committees to comprise non-executive directors only and be chaired by an independent non-executive director. We may vote against non-independent directors when the structures below are not in place, or when the discharge of duties by each of the committees does not meet the principles we expect companies to uphold.

 

Audit Commitee

The audit committee has a crucial role in safeguarding investors’ interests, as it is responsible for the integrity of the financial statements, risk management and auditor appointment. Given this key role, we expect audit committees to comprise independent non-executive directors only. It should comprise a minimum of three members with at least one with recent and relevant financial expertise.

Remuneration Commitee

The remuneration committee is responsible for designing and implementing the remuneration scheme for the company’s executive directors and senior management. In this capacity it should have knowledge of pay structures across the organisation, including that of the CEO, as well as being aware of the gender-pay-gap ratio and other relevant diversity factors. We expect remuneration committees to be fully independent where called for by market practice. We prefer at least some remuneration committee members to be, or have been, remuneration committee members at other publicly listed companies or have similar experience.

Nomination
Commitee

The nomination committee is responsible for ensuring that the board comprises directors with a good range of relevant skills, knowledge and that collectively they represent diversity. It is tasked with designing and implementing robust board evaluation and succession-planning policies. We expect nomination committees to be majority independent.

 

—   We may vote against the chair of the nomination committee if, after engagement, there is a failure to ensure appropriate diversity on the Board including for example ethnicity and gender.

 

—   We may vote against the nomination committee chairperson or the board chairperson in cases where we believe that the necessary skills/diversity are lacking on the board.

 

—   We may vote against the nomination committee chairperson or board chairperson in cases where there is no indication that proper and ongoing board assessments and succession planning are taking place.

 

Ninety One Funds B-9

 

 

2. Alignment with the long term: remuneration and sustainability

 

Ninety One recognises the importance of long-term alignment and looks at it from two main perspectives: (i) alignment of remuneration with the creation of long-term sustainable value; and (ii) stakeholder relations and the governance system’s ability to understand, monitor and mitigate any social, ethical and environmental issue risks.

 

We believe that long-term environmental and societal sustainability considerations should be part of a board’s long-term oversight and should be reported to stakeholders in an annual report using leading global reporting initiatives such as the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). The direct implications of a business’s operations on the supply chain and the impact of its products and services on both society and the environment should be carefully considered. In our engagement with boards and in our governance assessments, we may assess the board’s performance in this respect. We may vote against directors when we believe long-term sustainability considerations are not being adequately addressed.

 

Where appropriate, we will also work with policy makers and advocacy groups on these matters.

 

Ninety One expects remuneration schemes to be aligned with shareholders’ interests, and promote the long-term success of the company. We also expect the remuneration committee to be able to justify pay structures and levels in relation to three main criteria: market practice, sector practice and the company’s performance.

 

The hard-governance remuneration principle that Ninety One considers across all geographies is the existence of a strong and identifiable link between pay and performance. We therefore expect executive directors’ actual pay-outs to mirror shareholders’ experience and the company’s disclosure to be substantial and substantive enough for such an assessment to take place.

 

The voting guidelines arising from the above include:

 

We may vote against remuneration resolutions where there is insufficient disclosure to assess the schemes, and/or where existing disclosure does not follow the regulatory guidelines of the relevant jurisdiction:

 

 

We place special emphasis on clear and meaningful performance metrics and targets, which should be linked to the company’s strategy and include stretching vesting levels.

 

 

The lowering of targets may only be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

 

 

We prefer schemes with several performance metrics and these should be relative, and under the effective control of the executive directors.

 

 

We require a minimum performance period of three years and favour schemes with a subsequent vesting period.

 

 

We require malus and clawback provisions to be in place.

 

We may vote against remuneration resolutions if we are concerned about pay outcomes and not all the members of the remuneration committee are independent.

 

We may vote against remuneration resolutions where there is not a healthy balance between fixed and variable pay and, within the latter, a relevant split between short and long-term compensation.

 

We will consider not only maximum pay-outs allowed under the policy, but also year-on-year granted amounts. We will consider this in the context of the company’s size, sector, maturity and previous pay history.

 

Remuneration committees should have the ability to exercise discretion within the boundaries of applicable employment laws and regulation. However, discretion should be exercised with caution and its use publicly justified.

 

We may vote against untoward salary increases without appropriate justification, and excessive pension arrangements. We will vote against proposals that include variable pay within pension entitlement or where pension arrangements are not aligned with the broader workforce. We may vote against increases that are triggered entirely by benchmarking exercises.

 

B-10Ninety One Funds

 

 

We will vote against plans that can be materially amended without shareholder approval.

 

We do not support retrospective/inflight amendments to incentive schemes, nor the repricing of options, except in exceptional circumstances when not doing so may result in the interests of management and shareholders not being aligned.

 

We do not support transaction bonuses.

 

We expect dilution levels to be kept to a minimum.

 

On recruitment, we expect companies to pay no more than is strictly necessary. If buy-out awards are agreed, we expect like-for-like structures together with an explanation of the link between pay and performance in the old and new schemes. We may vote against such schemes if these conditions are not met.

 

We may vote against severance payments that are not aligned with the company’s remuneration policy and those exceeding contractual requirements. Severance payments should be subject to the same performance tests and pro-rated for time served. We will vote against accelerated vesting provisions and severance payments lacking disclosure of their terms.

 

We may vote against any option schemes where there is automatic vesting on a change in control of the company.

 

3. Protecting client capital – capital management and shareholder rights

 

A board’s authority to raise capital through the issuing of shares, and its ability to decide on how it allocates the income attributable to shareholders (dividend payments or share repurchases), represents an important vote on a set of different resolutions. In many cases these resolutions are presented as renewable authorities.

 

While providing the board with flexibility, general authorities can result in the significant erosion of shareholder value. Therefore, Ninety One will apply constraining votes on general authorities, preferring that specific and well-motivated authorities are sought from time to time as needs arise. This is core to Ninety One’s duty to protect its clients’ capital. If there is any indication that these authorities have been used in a reckless and irresponsible manner, this will be reflected in the voting decisions relating to the leadership of the company.

 

Corporate actions arise from time to time which require shareholder approval. Ninety One will consider such situations on a case-by-case basis, through carefully assessing how the interests of its clients can be best served. Ninety One will actively oppose efforts on the part of management or significant shareholders to reduce the broader shareholder rights (anti-takeover measures, poison pills and alterations to company constitutions). The presentation of such resolutions to shareholders is often an indication of a governance deficiency and should be accompanied by votes relating to the leadership of the company.

 

On authority to issue shares Ninety One may:

 

Vote against the misapplication of pre-emptive rights for any general authority more than 5% (with an overall limited of 7.5% in any rolling three-year period) of the issued share capital of the company for a large-cap company. The limit shall be 10% for small caps. In the UK, we accept a 10% issuance authority (+/-5%) if it follows the Pre- Emption Rights Group guidance.

 

Vote against the general authority to issue shares with an attached right of pre-emption more than 33% of the issued share capital of the company.

 

Vote against any general authority to issue shares for cash above 5%.

 

Vote against any issue of shares for cash where the discount limit is more than 5%.

 

Vote against all general authorities where management has a record of destroying company value as assessed by Ninety One’s own investment process.

 

Ninety One Funds B-11

 

 

Vote against the issue of shares to option schemes which it has actively opposed, or where it has opposed the adoption of the remuneration report.

 

In a case where the company has been irresponsible with respect to the issuing of shares, Ninety One may not support the re-election of the chairperson and any incumbent directors and will not support any resolutions to issue shares.

 

Ninety One will not support any general authorities to issue shares where the share price is substantially below its intrinsic value.

 

Ninety One will not support any general or specific authorities to issue shares if they are deemed to have the intention of intervening in the market for corporate control or establishing a control group in the company.

 

Ninety One will actively oppose any issue of shares where the underwriter is a holding company which could be perceived to be increasing its holding in the company through taking up unsubscribed shares.

 

On the repurchase of shares, Ninety One will consider supporting the request when:

 

There is sufficient liquidity in the market.

 

The company has substantial cash resources and the repurchase scheme is a viable and tax efficient method of returning cash to shareholders.

 

The company has a track record of cancelling treasury shares rather than re-issuing them to share option schemes (unless this intention has been declared in advance).

 

There is no conflict of interest with the company’s management incentive policy.

 

The share price at the time of the general authority is substantially below its intrinsic value as assessed by Ninety One’s own investment process.

 

All disclosures required by Ninety One have been made.

 

There is a robust argument as to how the share repurchase scheme will add more value to shareholders than a cash dividend, repaying debt or making appropriate investments to enhance efficiency or expand operations.

 

The company has sufficient balance-sheet strength and cash resources not to place it under any form of financial strain.

 

If Ninety One has either supported or rejected a share repurchase scheme and the resolution has been carried, but management has used this authority in an improper manner, Ninety One may vote against the re-election of the chairperson of the company and incumbent directors.

 

On dividends and capital distributions, Ninety One will vote against the payment of a dividend if it will clearly place the company under financial stress.

 

If Ninety One determines that the company is withholding income from shareholders and not using surplus reserves to any productive pursuit, such as reducing debt, it will consider:

 

Making a symbolic vote against the adoption of the financial statements.

 

Voting against the re-election of incumbent directors.

 

Where a capital distribution is clearly being used to obfuscate another proposal by the company that diminishes shareholder rights, establishes an anti-takeover mechanism or results in any form of reduction in management accountability, Ninety One will vote against the linked resolution.

 

B-12Ninety One Funds

 

 

On changes in shareholder rights via amendments to company constitutions, Ninety One will oppose any:

 

Poison pill proposals in any form.

 

Any resolutions that propose new share classes that have proportionately higher voting rights than existing share classes.

 

Any resolutions that absolve directors from either their fiduciary responsibilities to owners or their re-election through an ordinary resolution.

 

4. Audit and disclosure

 

Audits are among the most important protections for shareholders’ capital as well as for the company. Consequently, we attach much importance to both the quality and the independence of the audit process. The financial statements audit offers credibility and comfort to all stakeholders. The board is responsible for presenting

 

a fair, balanced and understandable view of the financial position of the company. Therefore, it relies on both a robust internal and external audit process as well as employing an appropriate level of oversight.

 

When voting on resolutions relating to the appointment of auditors, we consider the suitability of the auditor on a case by case basis, considering the context of the business, the market and its respective laws. Ninety One recognises the importance of a healthy, competitive audit market, but does not expressively take a view on whether companies should use small or large audit firms. We will also consider total fee for the audit, which should also not make up a significant portion of the audit firm’s total turnover.

 

Non-audit work is sometimes necessary but should be kept to a minimum and require prior audit committee approval. The detail around the fees related to both audit and non-audit work should be disclosed to shareholders.

 

Ninety One may vote against the re-election of the auditor if:

 

There are repeated and material misstatements in the annual financial statements.

 

A disproportionate (+40%) amount of the auditor’s total fee over the previous three years is derived from non-audit services. In markets where it is not required or best practice to disclose non-audit fees, we aim to engage with companies to encourage such disclosure.

 

The auditor is engaged with conducting the internal audit.

 

The auditor has been in place for more than 10 years and there has not been a recent tender process and there are no plans to put the audit out to tender. This may also result in withdrawal of support for the Audit Committee Chairperson.

 

Accurate, timely and full disclosure is essential to Ninety One’s investment and capital allocation process. Appropriate disclosures allow us to evaluate continuously a company’s position, engage with management and better understand it. Disclosure establishes the basis for dialogue and trust, which informs our ongoing engagement efforts. In alignment with international standards, disclosure should be honest, unbiased, balanced, material, clear, complete, relevant, inclusive, consistent, comparable and timely.

 

We may vote against the approval of the financial statements resolution when:

 

 

There is a clear deficiency in information.

 

 

There has been an attempt to hide or obfuscate materials.

 

 

There are serious omissions; or there has been an audit qualification.

 

We may vote against specific transactions where there appears to be a material deficiency with respect to the information provided to shareholders.

 

Ninety One Funds B-13

 

 

Shareholder resolutions

 

The right of shareholders to file resolutions at meetings is important. We have seen a rise in these in recent years and believe that many have resulted in positive developments. Given that the resolutions which appear on agendas vary greatly – both by type and by quality – we are unable to generalise as to how we would vote. As a rule, however, we follow internal guidelines and assess each case individually, asking the following key questions:

 

Does the issue raised in the resolution align with Ninety One’s philosophy and principles around ESG?

 

Would the passing of the resolution improve shareholder rights?

 

Does the company already address the issue and, if so, are we comfortable that the current company standards are sufficient?

 

Is the proposal practical and proportionate to the issue and to the company in question?

 

Would it benefit our clients if the resolution was passed?

 

 

We have a dedicated global ESG team which is steered by our Investment Governance Committee (IGC).

 

The ESG team works with our portfolio managers on engagement, proxy voting, integration strategies, ESG research and reporting. Our stewardship work is integrated with our global investment process and covers all asset classes.

 

For more information contact:
Therese Niklasson
Global Head of ESG
T +44 20 3938 2189
E therese.niklasson@ninetyone.com

 

 

P20190207_7357384C

 

B-14Ninety One Funds

 

 

Contact us

 

Australia

 

Level 28 Suite 3, Chifley Tower
2 Chifley Square
Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: +61 2 9160 8400
australia@ninetyone.com

 

Botswana

 

Plot 64511, Unit 5
Fairgrounds, Gaborone
Telephone: +267 318 0112
botswanaclientservice@ninetyone.com

 

Channel Islands

 

PO Box 250, St Peter Port
Guernsey, GY1 3QH
Telephone: +44 (0)1481 710 404
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

Germany

 

Bockenheimer Landstraße 23
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Telephone: +49 (0)69 7158 5900
deutschland@ninetyone.com

 

Hong Kong

 

Suites 3609-3614, 36/F
Two International Finance Centre
8 Finance Street, Central
Telephone: +852 2861 6888
hongkong@ninetyone.com

Italy

 

Palazzo Toschi Corneliani
Corso Venezia 44
20121, Milan
Telephone: +39 02 3658 1590
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

Luxembourg

 

2-4, Avenue Marie-Thérèse
L-2132 Luxembourg
Telephone: +352 28 12 77 20
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

Namibia

 

First Floor, 6 Thorer Street
Windhoek
Telephone: +264 (61) 389 500
namibia@ninetyone.com

 

Singapore

 

25 Duxton Hill #03-01
Singapore 089608
Telephone: +65 6653 5550
singapore@ninetyone.com

 

South Africa

 

36 Hans Strijdom Avenue
Foreshore, Cape Town 8001
Telephone: +27 (0)21 901 1000
enquiries@ninetyone.com

Sweden

 

Grev Turegatan 3,
114 46, Stockholm
Telephone: +46 709 550 449
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

Switzerland

 

Seefeldstrasse 69
8008 Zurich
Telephone: +41 44 262 00 44
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

United Kingdom

 

55 Gresham Street
London, EC2V 7EL
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3938 1900
enquiries@ninetyone.com

 

United States

 

666 5th Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY10103
US Toll Free: +1 800 434 5623
usa@ninetyone.com

 

www.ninetyone.com

 

Outside the US, telephone calls will be recorded for training, monitoring and regulatory purposes. For more details please visit www.ninetyone.com/contactus.

 

Ninety One Funds B-15

 

 

Important information

 

The information discusses general market activity or industry trends and should not be construed as investment advice. The economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as at the date shown and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts will be affected by changes in interest rates, general market conditions and other political, social and economic developments. There can be no assurance that these forecasts will be achieved. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Investors are not certain to make profits; losses may be made.

 

The information contained in this document is provided in good faith and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. No warranty is provided as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon. This communication is provided for general information only. It is not an invitation to make an investment nor does it constitute an offer for sale and is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation for any particular investment.

 

This document is the copyright of Ninety One and its contents may not be re-used without Ninety One’s prior permission. Issued by Ninety One, March 2020.

 

B-16Ninety One Funds

 

 

 

INV-SX-001-0500

 

 

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28. EXHIBITS:

 

(a)(1) The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III’s (the “Registrant”) Certificate of Trust, dated December 4, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-13-000669 on December 13, 2013.

 

(a)(2) Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated December 4, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-13-000669 on December 13, 2013.

 

(a)(3) Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated September 10, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(b)(1) Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated September 18, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001760 on September 28, 2016.

 

(b)(2) Amendment No. 1, dated June 25, 2020, to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-014043 on July 20, 2020.

 

(c) See Article III and Article V of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which has been incorporated by reference in Exhibit (a)(2) to this Registration Statement.

 

(d)(1)(i) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated September 15, 2017, between the Registrant and MetLife Investment Management, LLC (“MetLife”), relating to the MetLife Core Plus Fund and MetLife Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund (together, the “MetLife Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-18-000054 on January 26, 2018.

 

(d)(1)(ii) Amendment, dated July 1, 2019, to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated September 15, 2017, between the Registrant and MetLife, relating to the MetLife Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 204 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-016580 on September 13, 2019.

 

(d)(1)(iii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated February 26, 2015, between the Registrant and Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC (“Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors”), relating to the Knights of Columbus Core Bond Fund, Knights of Columbus Limited Duration Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Growth Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Value Fund, Knights of Columbus Small Cap Fund and Knights of Columbus International Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000079 on February 26, 2015.

 

 

 

(d)(1)(iv) Amended Schedule A, dated September 4, 2019, to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated February 26, 2015, between the Registrant and Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, relating to the Knights of Columbus Core Bond Fund, Knights of Columbus Limited Duration Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Growth Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Value Fund, Knights of Columbus Small Cap Fund, Knights of Columbus International Equity Fund, Knights of Columbus Long/Short Equity Fund, Knights of Columbus U.S. All Cap Index Fund and Knights of Columbus Real Estate Fund (formerly, Knights of Columbus Global Real Estate Fund) (the “Knights of Columbus Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(d)(1)(v) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated February 28, 2020, between the Registrant and Chiron Investment Management, LLC (“Chiron”), relating to the Chiron SMid Opportunities Fund and Chiron Capital Allocation Fund (the “Chiron Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(vi) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated October 30, 2015, between the Registrant and PineBridge Investments LLC (“PineBridge”), relating to the PineBridge Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000935 on December 23, 2015.

 

(d)(1)(vii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated September 22, 2016, between the Registrant and Strategic Global Advisors, LLC (“Strategic Global Advisors”), relating to the SGA International Equity Fund, SGA International Equity Plus Fund, SGA International Small-Mid Cap Equity Fund and SGA Global Equity Fund (together, the “Strategic Global Advisors Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001760 on September 28, 2016.

 

(d)(1)(viii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated April 30, 2020, between the Registrant and RWC Asset Advisors (US) LLC (“RWC”), relating to the RWC Global Emerging Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 283 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-006410 on March 12, 2021.

 

(d)(1)(ix) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners LLC (“GQG Partners”), relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001937 on December 28, 2016.

 

(d)(1)(x) Amended Schedule A, dated March 31, 2020, to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners, relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

 

 

(d)(1)(xi) Amended Schedule A, dated [XX], to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners, relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, GQG Partners International Quality Dividend Income Fund, GQG Partners US Quality Dividend Income Fund, and GQG Partners Global Quality Dividend Income Fund (the “GQG Funds”), to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(1)(xii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated March 31, 2020, between the Registrant and Ninety One North America, Inc. (“Ninety One”), relating to the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund and Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xiii) Amended Schedule A, dated [XX], to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated March 31, 2020, between the Registrant and Ninety One, relating to the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund, Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Ninety One Global Environment Fund and Ninety One International Franchise Fund (the “Ninety One Funds”), to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(1)(xiv) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated May 18, 2018, between the Registrant and Penn Mutual Asset Management, LLC (“PMAM”), relating to the Penn Mutual AM Strategic Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xvii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-007885 on May 22, 2018.

 

(d)(1)(xv) Amended Schedule A, dated July 29, 2020, to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated May 18, 2018, between the Registrant and Penn Mutual Asset Management, LLC (“PMAM”), relating to the Penn Mutual AM Strategic Income Fund and the Penn Mutual AM 1847 Income Fund (together, the “Penn Mutual Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-014613 on July 29, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xvi) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated September 21, 2018, between the Registrant and KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd (“KBI”), relating to the KBI Global Investors Aquarius Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-013996 on September 26, 2018.

 

(d)(1)(xvii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. (“MFIM”), relating to the Mesirow Financial Enhanced Core Plus Fund, Mesirow Financial High Yield Fund and Mesirow Financial Small Cap Value Sustainability Fund (together, the “Mesirow Financial Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017044 on November 27, 2018.

 

(d)(1)(xviii) Amended Schedule A, dated July 10, 2019, to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and MFIM, relating to the Mesirow Financial Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-013145 on July 30, 2019.

 

(d)(1)(xix) Third Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 13, 2019, between the Registrant and Aperture Investors, LLC (“Aperture”), relating to the Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, Aperture Endeavour Equity Fund and Aperture Discover Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-022972 on December 23, 2019.

 

 

 

(d)(1)(xx) Schedule D, dated July 14, 2020, to the Third Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 13, 2019, between the Registrant and Aperture, relating to the Aperture International Equity Fund (together with the Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, Aperture Endeavour Equity Fund and Aperture Discover Equity Fund, the “Aperture Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-017803 on August 31, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xxi) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated January 3, 2019, between the Registrant and Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P. (“Nicholas”), relating to the Nicholas Partners Small Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-000717 on January 16, 2019.

 

(d)(1)(xxii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated March 14, 2019, between the Registrant and Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (“Aegon”), relating to the Aegon Emerging Markets Debt Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-010094 on June 5, 2019.

 

(d)(1)(xxiii) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 10, 2020, between the Registrant and Rayliant Asset Management (“Rayliant”), relating to the Rayliant Quantamental China Equity Fund and Rayliant Quantamental China Equity ETF (together, the “Rayliant Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-025276 on December 30, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated September 30, 2020 between the Registrant and Chevy Chase Trust Company (“CCT”), relating to the CCT Thematic Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xxv) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated October 30, 2020 between the Registrant and Reflection Asset Management, LLC (“Reflection”), relating to the Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (formerly, DEMZ Political Contributions ETF), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxvii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xxvi) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 15, 2020, between the Registrant and SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC (“SouthernSun”), relating to the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund (together, the “SouthernSun Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxiv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 279 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-001613 on January 28, 2021.

 

 

 

(d)(1)(xxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 9, 2020, between the Registrant and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (“Brookmont”), relating to the First Foundation Fixed Income Fund and First Foundation Total Return Fund (together, the “First Foundation Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(d)(1)(xxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated November 24, 2020, between the Registrant and Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd., relating to the Chiron Capital Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-005124 on February 26, 2021.

 

(d)(1)(xxix) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 15, 2020, between the Registrant and Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (“LGIMA”), relating to the Legal & General Retirement Income 2040 Fund, Legal & General Global Developed Equity Index Fund, Legal & General Cash Flow Matched Bond Fund, Legal & General Long Duration U.S. Credit Fund and Legal & General U.S. Credit Fund (together, the “LGIMA Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-024759 on December 18, 2020.

 

(d)(1)(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated March 29, 2021, between the Registrant and Democracy Investment Management LLC (“Democracy”), relating to the Democracy International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxviii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

(d)(1)(xxxi) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated April 20, 2021, between the Registrant and ARGA Investment Management, LP (“ARGA”), relating to the ARGA Emerging Markets Value Fund and ARGA International Value Fund (together, the “ARGA Funds”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)(xxx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-009257 on April 30, 2021.

 

(d)(1)(xxxii) Investment Advisory Agreement, dated [XX], between the Registrant and KKM Financial LLC (“KKM”), relating to the Valkyrie Innovative Balance Sheet ETF, to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(2)(i) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 10, 2019, between Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors and L2 Asset Management, LLC (“L2”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(d)(2)(ii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 24, 2019, between Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors and Ranger Global Real Estate Advisors, LLC (“Ranger”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(d)(2)(iii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 30, 2020, between Reflection and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (“ETC”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

 

 

(d)(2)(iv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 8, 2021, between Brookmont and First Foundation Advisors (“First Foundation”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(d)(2)(v) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 29, 2021, between Democracy and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (“Vident”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

(d)(2)(vi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated [XX], between KKM and ETC, to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(3)(i) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated September 15, 2017, between the Registrant and MetLife, relating to the MetLife Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-003034 on February 28, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(ii) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, between the Registrant and Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, relating to the Knights of Columbus Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(iii) Amended Schedule A, dated July 20, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, between the Registrant and Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, relating to the Knights of Columbus Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-017803 on August 31, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated October 30, 2015, between the Registrant and Chiron, relating to the Chiron Capital Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000852 on November 23, 2015.

 

(d)(3)(v) Amended and Restated Schedule A, dated February 28, 2018, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated October 30, 2015, between the Registrant and Chiron, relating to the Chiron Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-003034 on February 28, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(vi) Amended and Restated Schedule A, dated [XX], 2021, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated October 30, 2015, between the Registrant and Chiron, relating to the Chiron Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(3)(vii) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 23, 2015, between the Registrant and PineBridge, relating to the PineBridge Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000935 on December 23, 2015.

 

 

 

(d)(3)(viii) Amended Schedule A, dated April 26, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 23, 2015, between the Registrant and PineBridge, relating to the PineBridge Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(ix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-007386 on April 30, 2019.

 

(d)(3)(ix) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated September 22, 2016, between the Registrant and Strategic Global Advisors, relating to the Strategic Global Advisors Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(ix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001760 on September 28, 2016.

 

(d)(3)(x) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between the Registrant and RWC, relating to the RWC Global Emerging Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001937 on December 28, 2016.

 

(d)(3)(xi) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners, relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001937 on December 28, 2016.

 

(d)(3)(xii) Amended Schedule A, dated September 30, 2020, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners, relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xi) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-023523 on November 25, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(xiii) Amended Scheduled A, dated [XX], to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2016, between the Registrant and GQG Partners, relating to the GQG Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

(d)(3)(xiv) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated July 17, 2017, between the Registrant and Ninety One, relating to the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-17-000992 on September 29, 2017.

 

(d)(3)(xv) Amended Schedule A, dated March 1, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated July 17, 2017, between the Registrant and Ninety One, relating to the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund and Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xvii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-010094 on June 5, 2019.

 

(d)(3)(xvi) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated [XX], between the Registrant and Ninety One, relating to the Ninety One Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

 

 

(d)(3)(xvii) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated May 18, 2018, between the Registrant and PMAM, relating to the Penn Mutual AM Strategic Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-007885 on May 22, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(xviii) Amended Schedule A, dated July 29, 2020 to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, between the Registrant and PMAM, relating to the Penn Mutual Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-014613 on July 29, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(xix) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated September 21, 2018, between the Registrant and KBI, relating to the KBI Global Investors Aquarius Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxiii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-013996 on September 26, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(xx) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and MFIM, relating to the Mesirow Financial Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017044 on November 27, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(xxi) Amended Schedule A, dated July 10, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and MFIM relating to the Mesirow Financial Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-013145 on July 30, 2019.

 

(d)(3)(xxii) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 26, 2018, between the Registrant and Aperture, relating to the Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxiii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 167 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-018671 on December 28, 2018.

 

(d)(3)(xxiii) Amended Schedule A, dated December 13, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 26, 2018, between the Registrant and Aperture, relating to the Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, Aperture Endeavour Equity Fund and Aperture Discover Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-022972 on December 23, 2019.

 

(d)(3)(xxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated January 3, 2019, between the Registrant and Nicholas, relating to the Nicholas Partners Small Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxiv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-000717 on January 16, 2019.

 

(d)(3)(xxv) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated March 14, 2019, between the Registrant and Aegon, relating to the Aegon Emerging Markets Debt Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-010094 on June 5, 2019.

 

 

 

(d)(3)(xxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 10, 2020, between the Registrant and Rayliant, related to the Rayliant Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxiii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-025276 on December 30, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(xxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated September 30, 2020, between the Registrant and CCT, related to the CCT Thematic Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(xxviii) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2020, between the Registrant and SouthernSun, related to the SouthernSun Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 279 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-001613 on January 28, 2021.

 

(d)(3)(xxix) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 9, 2020, between the Registrant and Brookmont, related to the First Foundation Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxvi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(d)(3)(xxx) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2020, between the Registrant and LGIMA, related to the LGIMA Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxvii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-024759 on December 18, 2020.

 

(d)(3)(xxxi) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated April 20, 2021, between the Registrant and ARGA, relating to the ARGA Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-009257 on April 30, 2021.

 

(d)(3)(xxxii) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated March 30, 2021, between the Registrant and Democracy, relating to the Democracy International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3)(xxx) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007952 on April 12, 2021.

 

(e)(1)(i) Distribution Agreement, dated February 12, 2014, between the Registrant and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SIDCO”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000199 on March 18, 2014.

 

(e)(1)(ii) Amendment No. 1, dated December 7, 2017, to the Distribution Agreement, dated February 12, 2014, between the Registrant and SIDCO, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-18-000054 on January 26, 2018.

 

 

 

(e)(1)(iii) Distribution Services Agreement, dated December 23, 2020, between Rayliant and SIDCO, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-025276 on December 30, 2020.

 

(e)(1)(iv) Distribution Services Agreement, dated March 30, 2021, between Democracy and SIDCO, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007952 on April 12, 2021.

 

(e)(2) Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-025276 on December 30, 2020.

 

(f) Not Applicable.

 

(g)(1)(i) Custodian Agreement, dated February 19, 2014, between the Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Union Bank, N.A.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000199 on March 18, 2014.

 

(g)(1)(ii) Amended Schedule I, dated October 1, 2014, to the Custodian Agreement, dated February 19, 2014, between the Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Union Bank, N.A.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 001135428-14-000692 on November 4, 2014.

 

(g)(2)(i) Custodian Agreement, dated November 25, 2014, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000464 on July 14, 2015.

 

(g)(2)(ii) Amendment, dated October 30, 2018, to the Custodian Agreement, dated November 25, 2014, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-016867 on November 21, 2018.

 

(g)(2)(iii) Joinder, dated December 16, 2020, to the Custodian Agreement, dated November 25, 2014, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-005124 on February 26, 2021.

 

(g)(2)(iv) Form of Amendment, dated April 19, 2021, to the Custodian Agreement, dated November 25, 2014, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.,is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-008251 on April 20, 2021.

 

(g)(3)(i) Custodian Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-000717 on January 16, 2019.

 

 

 

(g)(3)(ii) Amended Appendix A, dated August 12, 2020, to the Custodian Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(g)(4)(i) Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement, dated October 20, 2020, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(g)(4)(ii) Amended Exhibit A, dated February 2, 2021, to the Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement dated October 20, 2020, between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(4)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007952 on April 12, 2021.

 

(h)(1)(i) Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, between the Registrant and SEI Investments Global Funds Services (“SEI GFS”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i) Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000199 on March 18, 2014.

 

(h)(2)(i)(a) Amendment No. 1, dated April 30, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i)(b) Amendment, dated June 19, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i)(c) Amendment, dated June 26, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i)(d) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the MetLife Funds, dated December 18, 2014, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000574 on August 26, 2015.

 

 

 

(h)(2)(i)(e) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Knights of Columbus Funds, dated January 21, 2015, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 001135428-17-000150 on February 28, 2017.

 

(h)(2)(i)(f) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Strategic Global Advisors Funds, dated September 30, 2016, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001808 on October 28, 2016.

 

(h)(2)(i)(g) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the RWC Global Emerging Equity Fund, dated December 30, 2016, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-17-000062 on January 27, 2017.

 

(h)(2)(i)(h) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, dated December 28, 2016, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-17-000062 on January 27, 2017.

 

(h)(2)(i)(i) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the GQG Funds, dated [XX], to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(2)(i)(j) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Ninety One Funds, dated December 11, 2017, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-003034 on February 28, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i)(k) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Penn Mutual AM Strategic Income Fund, dated July 2, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-013996 on September 26, 2018.

 

(h)(2)(i)(l) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Penn Mutual AM 1847 Income Fund, dated July 2, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-014613 on July 29, 2020.

 

 

 

(h)(2)(i)(m) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Mesirow Financial Funds, dated December 3, 2018, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-000717 on January 16, 2019.

 

(h)(2)(i)(n) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Aperture Funds, dated March 18, 2019, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 204 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-016580 on September 13, 2019.

 

(h)(2)(i)(o) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Nicholas Partners Small Cap Growth Fund, dated January 16, 2019, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-007372 on April 30, 2019.

 

(h)(2)(i)(p) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Aegon Emerging Markets Debt Fund, dated June 14, 2019, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 220 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-021470 on November 27, 2019.

 

(h)(2)(i)(q) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Rayliant Funds, dated [XX], to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(2)(i)(r) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the LGIMA Funds, dated [XX], to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(2)(i)(s) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the First Foundation Funds, dated January 11, 2021, to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(i)(r) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-005124 on February 26, 2021.

 

(h)(2)(i)(t) Advisor Complex Schedule relating to the Chiron Funds, dated [XX], to the Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(2)(ii)(a) Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated December 21, 2020, between the Registrant, Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd. and Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(ii)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-005124 on February 26, 2021.

 

(h)(2)(ii)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated February 12, 2021, to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated December 21, 2020, between the Registrant, Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd. and Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(ii)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-005124 on February 26, 2021. 

 

(h)(2)(ii)(c) Second Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated [XX], between the Registrant and Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(3)(i) Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 10, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001068 on February 26, 2016.

 

(h)(3)(ii) Amended Exhibit A, dated December 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 10, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-008251 on April 20, 2021.

 

 

 

(h)(3)(iii) Amended Exhibit A, dated [XX], to the Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 10, 2015, to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(4) License Agreement, dated December 5, 2019, between the Registrant and Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, relating to the Knights of Columbus U.S. All Cap Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 231 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-004731 on February 28, 2020.

 

(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to be filed by amendment.

 

(j) Not Applicable.

 

(k) Not Applicable.

 

(l) Initial Capital Agreement, dated March 4, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000199 on March 18, 2014.

 

(m)(1) Amended and Restated Distribution Plan, dated March 3, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000464 on July 14, 2015.

 

(m)(2) Amended Schedule A, dated December 9, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Distribution Plan, dated March 3, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-008251 on April 20, 2021.

 

(m)(3) Amended Schedule A, dated [XX], to the Amended and Restated Distribution Plan, dated March 3, 2015, to be filed by amendment.

 

(m)(4) ETF Distribution Plan, dated October 15, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-025276 on December 30, 2020.

 

(m)(5) Amended Schedule A, dated March 18, 2021, to the ETF Distribution Plan, dated October 15, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

(n)(1) Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan, dated February 12, 2014, including Schedules and Certificates of Class Designation thereto, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000655 on October 7, 2014.

 

 

 

(n)(2) Amended and Restated Schedule D and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Knights of Columbus Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(n)(3) Schedule F and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the PineBridge Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-15-000935 on December 23, 2015.

 

(n)(4) Schedule G and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Strategic Global Advisors Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001760 on September 28, 2016.

 

(n)(5) Schedule H and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the RWC Global Emerging Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-16-001783 on October 21, 2016.

 

(n)(6) Amended and Restated Schedule I and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-005735 on March 28, 2019.

 

(n)(7) Amended and Restated Schedule I and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated [XX], relating to the GQG Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

(n)(8) Schedule M and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the KBI Global Investors Aquarius Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-013996 on September 26, 2018.

 

(n)(9) Amended and Restated Schedule L and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Ninety One Global Franchise Fund and Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-016867 on November 21, 2018.

 

(n)(10) Amended and Restated Schedule L and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Ninety One Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

(n)(11) Schedule N and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Mesirow Financial Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017044 on November 27, 2018.

 

 

 

(n)(12) Schedule O and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Nicholas Partners Small Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-000717 on January 16, 2019.

 

(n)(13) Schedule P and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Aegon Emerging Markets Debt Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-010094 on June 5, 2019.

 

(n)(14) Amended and Restated Schedule Q and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, Aperture Endeavour Equity Fund, Aperture Discover Equity Fund and Aperture International Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-017803 on August 31, 2020.

 

(n)(15) Schedule S and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Rayliant Quantamental China Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-017803 on August 31, 2020.

 

(n)(16) Schedule T and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the LGIMA Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-024759 on December 18, 2020.

 

(n)(17) Schedule U and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the SouthernSun Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 279 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-001613 on January 28, 2021.

 

(n)(18) Schedule V and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the First Foundation Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(n)(19) Schedule W and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the ARGA Funds, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-008251 on April 20, 2021.

 

 

 

(n)(20) Schedule X and Certificates of Class Designation to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated February 12, 2014, relating to the Chiron Funds, to be filed by amendment.

 

(o) Not Applicable.

 

(p)(1) Registrant’s Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-14-000079 on February 20, 2014.

 

(p)(2) SIDCO Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-023523 on November 25, 2020.

 

(p)(3) SEI GFS Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-023523 on November 25, 2020.

 

(p)(4) MetLife Code of Ethics, dated April 30, 2007, as amended March 16, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-003034 on February 28, 2018.

 

(p)(5) Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors Code of Ethics, dated October 1, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

(p)(6) Chiron Code of Ethics, dated February 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(p)(7) PineBridge Code of Ethics, dated July 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001135428-17-000992 on September 29, 2017.

 

(p)(8) Strategic Global Advisors Code of Ethics, dated January 25, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017157 on November 28, 2018.

 

(p)(9) RWC Code of Ethics, dated August 2016, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 228 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-001402 on January 28, 2020.

 

(p)(10) GQG Partners Code of Ethics, dated October 3, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement of Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-005735 on March 28, 2019.

 

 

 

(p)(11) Ninety One Code of Ethics, dated October 2019, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 231 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-004731 on February 28, 2020.

 

(p)(12) PMAM Code of Ethics, dated February 22, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-007885 on May 22, 2018.

 

(p)(13) KBI Code of Ethics, dated November 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-013996 on September 26, 2018.

 

(p)(14) MFIM Code of Ethics, dated July 2, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-18-017044 on November 27, 2018.

 

(p)(15) Aperture Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-008819 on April 29, 2020.

 

(p)(16) Nicholas Code of Ethics, dated August 1, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-022972 on December 23, 2019.

 

(p)(17) Aegon Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-010094 on June 5, 2019.

 

(p)(18) L2 Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(p)(19) Ranger Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-19-017246 on September 27, 2019.

 

(p)(20) Rayliant Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-017803 on August 31, 2020.

 

 

 

(p)(21) CCT Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(25) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 255 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-019356 on September 30, 2020.

 

(p)(22) Reflection Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(26) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(p)(23) ETC Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(27) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-021223 on November 2, 2020.

 

(p)(24) SouthernSun Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 279 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-001613 on January 28, 2021.

 

(p)(25) Brookmont Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(25) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(p)(26) First Foundation Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(26) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 276 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-000893 on January 15, 2021.

 

(p)(27) LGIMA Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(26) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-024759 on December 18, 2020.

 

(p)(28) Democracy Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(28) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

(p)(29) Vident Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(29) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

(p)(30) ARGA Code of Ethics, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(30) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-008251 on April 20, 2021.

 

(p)(31) KKM Code of Ethics, to be filed by amendment.

 

(q)(1) Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Michael Beattie, William M. Doran, Jon C. Hunt, Thomas P. Lemke, Jay C. Nadel and Randall S. Yanker are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-023523 on November 25, 2020.

 

(q)(2) Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant on October 15, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-20-023523 on November 25, 2020.

 

 

 

(q)(3) Power of Attorney for Mr. Andrew Metzger is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-192858), filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001398344-21-007404 on March 30, 2021.

 

ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT:

 

Chiron Capital Allocation Fund Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiron Capital Allocation Fund, a series of the Registrant.

 

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION:

 

A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in Article VII of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee, or of any other Trustee. A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee. The Trust shall indemnify each Person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust and any Person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a trustee, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise to the extent and in the manner provided in the Trust’s By-Laws.

 

All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Series, or, if the Trustees have yet to establish Series, of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor the Shareholders, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

 

Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or Trustees by any of them in connection with the Trust shall conclusively be deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to his or their capacity as Trustee or Trustees, and such Trustee or Trustees shall not be personally liable thereon. At the Trustees’ discretion, any note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officer or officers may give notice that the Certificate of Trust is on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and that a limitation on the liability of each Series exists and such note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking may, if the Trustees so determine, recite that the same was executed or made on behalf of the Trust or by a Trustee or Trustees in such capacity and not individually or by an officer or officers in such capacity and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust or a Series thereof, and may contain such further recital as such Person or Persons may deem appropriate. The omission of any such notice or recital shall in no way operate to bind any Trustees, officers or Shareholders individually.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS:

 

The following lists any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each investment adviser (including sub-advisers), and each director, officer or partner of that investment adviser (or sub-adviser), is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner, or trustee. Unless noted below, none of the investment advisers (or sub-advisers) and/or directors, officers or partners of each investment adviser (or sub-adviser) is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

 

AEGON USA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (“Aegon”), serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Aegon Emerging Markets Debt Fund. The principal address of Aegon is 6300 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299. Aegon is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Chris Thompson, Interim US Chief Executive Officer and Head of Distribution Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Interim US Chief Executive Officer and Head of Distribution*
  Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Distribution
Stephanie Maria Phelps, Treasurer, Chief Administration Officer and Executive Vice President Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Treasurer, Chief Administration Officer and Executive Vice President*
  Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Kirk William Buese, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President*

 

 

 

James K. Schaeffer, Portfolio Manager, Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Portfolio Manager, Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President*
  Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Portfolio Manager, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President*
Darlene R. Green, Head of Human Resources and Executive Vice President Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Head of Human Resources and Executive Vice President*
James Anthony Mautino, Chief Compliance Officer Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Chief Compliance Officer
Stephanie L, Steele, Assistant Treasurer Aegon Realty Advisors, LLC
6300 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299
Assistant Treasurer*

 

* Denotes post held ended in 2019.

 

APERTURE INVESTORS, LLC

 

Aperture Investors, LLC (“Aperture”), serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Aperture New World Opportunities Fund, Aperture Endeavour Equity Fund, Aperture Discover Equity Fund and Aperture International Equity Fund. The principal address of Aperture is 250 West 55th Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10019. Aperture is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Timothy Blackwell, Director

Northwest Immobilien Management GmbH,

Fasanenstrasse 33

10719 Berlin, Germany

Senior Advisor; Head Funds Management Europe

Corestate Capital Holding S.A.

4, Rue Jean Monnet

L-2180 Luxembourg

Independent Director, Deputy Chair of the Board**
Kristen Dickey, Lead Director

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10058

Managing Director
 

Marstone, Inc.

1301 6th Ave

New York, NY 10019

Board of Directors
 

BNY Mellon Investment Management,

ETF Trust

200 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 1001

Trustee

 

 

 

Quintin Price, Director

Leconfield Group Limited

130 Wood Street

London EC2V 6DL

Chief Executive
 

F&C Investment Trust Plc

Exchange House

Primrose Street

London EC2A 2NY

Non- Executive Director
 

Polar Capital Holding

16 Palace Street

London SW1E 5JD

Non- Executive Director*
Carlo Trabattoni, Director Aperture Investors SICAV, 60, avenue J.F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Luxembourg B 230397
Chairman
 

Aperture Investor Ltd UK

Renoir House

135-137 New Bond Street

W1S 2TQ London UK

Director
 

Generali Alpha Corp.

103 Foulk Road

Wilmington, DE 19803

Sole Director
 

Generali Global Infrastructure

58 bis, rue de la Boëtie, 75008 Paris

Chairman
 

Generali Real Estate S.p.A

Via Machiavelli 4

34132 Trieste, Italy

Director
 

Lumyna Limited,

Nova North

11, Bressenden Place

SW1E 5BY London, UK

Director
 

Plenisfer Investments,

Via Machiavelli 4,

34132 Trieste, Italy

Director
 

Generali Investment Partner S.p.A,

Via Machiavelli 4,

34132 Trieste, Italy

CEO

 

 

 

Peter Kraus, Chairman

Marstone, Inc.

1301 6th Ave

New York, NY 10019

Chairman of the Board of Directors
Heidi Messer, Director

Collective(i)

130 Madison Avenue,
4th Floor

New York, New York 10016

Chairman and Co-Founder
 

Partnership for NYC

One Battery Park Plaza, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Board Member
 

Partnership Fund for NYC

One Battery Park Plaza, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Board Member
 

Alliance Bernstein

1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105

Director
 

New York Presbyterian Hospital

525 E 68th St

New York, NY 10065

Board of Trustee
 

Zokei, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
 

Messer Holdings, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
 

Zephir, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
 

Private Property Services, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
 

World Evolved, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

CEO/Managing Member

 

 

 

 

Real World Holdings, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
 

Celeste, LLC

130 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Managing Member
John Thain, Director

Deutsche Bank AG

Taunusanlage 12, 60325

Frankfurt am Main Germany

Member of Supervisory Board
 

Uber Technologies, Inc.

1455 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

Board Member
 

Enjoy Technology Inc.

171 Constitution Drive Menlo Park, CA 94025

Board Member*
 

Pine Island Capital Partners

1133 Connecticut Avenue, NW

8th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20036

Founder and Chairman
 

Pine Island Acquisition Corp.

2455 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Suite 1205

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Chairman

 

* Denotes post held ended in 2019.
** Denotes post held ended in 2020.

 

ARGA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LP

 

ARGA Investment Management, LP (“ARGA”) serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s ARGA Emerging Markets Value Fund and ARGA International Value Fund. The principal address of ARGA is 1010 Washington Boulevard, 6th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. ARGA is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

 

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

A. Rama Krishna, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Grip Charitable Foundation

c/o A. Rama Krishna

18 Sidney Lanier Lane

Greenwich, CT 06831

 Vice President

Ribose Group Inc.

Suite 1109, Central Building

1 Pedder Street

Central

Hong Kong

Advisor

RSG Media Systems, LLC

RSG Media Systems, LLC

450 Lexington Ave., 4th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Advisory Board Member

Takashi Ito, CFA

Global Business Analyst

CFA Society Stamford

1127 High Ridge Road #307

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

Board Member

Lawrence Miller

Director – Client Relations

Brookline Music School

25 Kennard Rd.

Brookline, MA 02445

Board Member

John DeTore

Director of Strategic R&D

Segall Bryant & Hamill Funds

540 West Madison Street

Suite 1900

Chicago, IL 60661

Trustee, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Brookmont capital management, LLC

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (“Brookmont”) serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s First Foundation Fixed Income Fund and First Foundation Total Return Fund. The principal address of Brookmont is 2000 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1230, Dallas, Texas 75201. Brookmont is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information as to other business, if any, and the directors and officers of Brookmont is set forth in its Form ADV, on file with the SEC (801-68533), and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

CHEVY CHASE TRUST COMPANY

 

Chevy Chase Trust Company (“CCT”), serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s CCT Thematic Equity Fund. The principal address of CCT is 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, 1500W, Bethesda MD 20814. CCT is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of [date]. [To be updated by amendment.]

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
     

 

CHIRON INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Chiron Investment Management, LLC (“Chiron”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Chiron Capital Allocation Fund and Chiron SMid Opportunities Fund. The principal address of Chiron is 10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022. Chiron is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

 

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Enrico Gaglioti

Chief Executive Officer

Chiron Global Opportunities Fund, a sub-fund of Chiron Funds ICAV

2nd Floor Block E

Harcourt Road

Dublin 2

Ireland

Director

Ryan Caldwell

Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager

Chiron Global Opportunities Fund, a sub-fund of Chiron Funds ICAV

2nd Floor Block E

Harcourt Road

Dublin 2

Ireland

Director

J.P. Armenio

Chief Operating Officer

Chiron Global Opportunities Fund, a sub-fund of Chiron Funds ICAV

2nd Floor Block E

Harcourt Road

Dublin 2

Ireland

Director

 

DEMOCRACY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

 

Democracy Investment Management LLC (“Democracy”) serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s Democracy International Fund. The principal address of Democracy is 1480 Moraga Road, Suite C #378, Moraga, California 94556. Democracy is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position
with Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Julie Cane, CEO

Managing Partner

Wells Fargo Bank

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco CA 94194

Employee from Nov 2012 to Sept 2020
 

California State Guard

Moffett Field

Mountain View, CA 94089

Captain in the 129th Air Support Unit, July 2020 to present

 

 

 

 

Christopher Browne, CFA

Chief Investment Officer, Partner

Autana International Services, Inc

1083 Vine St. #222

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Consultant
 

Arq Advisors, LLC

57 Deforest Avenue, Suite A

Summit, NJ 07901

Registered Representative
Richard Rikoski, Chief Economist

Hadal

1907 Dennison Street

Oakland, CA 94606

Chief Executive Officer/Chief Scientist
 

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

1401 Constitution Ave NW, Room 5128

Washington, DC 20230

Member, Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

 

Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC

 

Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (“ETC”), serves as the investment sub-adviser for the Registrant’s Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (formerly, DEMZ Political Contributions ETF). The principal address of at 10900 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 207, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120. ETC is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of [date]. [To be updated by amendment.]

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
     

 

First Foundation Advisors

 

First Foundation Advisors (“First Foundation”), serves as the investment sub-adviser for the Registrant’s First Foundation Fixed Income Fund and First Foundation Total Return Fund. The principal address of First Foundation is 18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 700, Irvine, California 92612. First Foundation is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Scott F. Kavanaugh, Director

First Foundation Inc.

18101 Von Karman Avenue

Suite 750

Irvine, CA 29612

Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
Diane Rubin, Director

Diane M. Rubin, CPA, a sole proprietorship

40380 Desert Creek Lane

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Sole proprietor

 

 

 

Elizabeth Pagliarini, Director

Summit Healthcare REIT, Inc.

2 South Pointe Drive

Suite 100

Lake Forest, CA 92630

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Max Briggs, Director

FLC Capital Advisors

44750 Village Court

Palm Desert, CA 92260

President and

Chief Executive Advisors

Mitchell Rosenberg, Ph.D., Director

M. M. Rosenberg & Associates

25811 Pecos Road

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

President and Founder
Jacob Sonenshine, Director

Prell Restaurant Group

1675 Scenic Avenue

#150

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

President
David Lake, Director

4 Earth Farms LLC

555 E. Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

 

GQG Partners LLC

 

GQG Partners LLC (“GQG Partners”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund, GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund, GQG Partners Global Quality Equity Fund, GQG Partners International Quality Dividend Income Fund, GQG Partners US Quality Dividend Income Fund and GQG Partners Global Quality Dividend Income Fund. The principal address of GQG Partners is 450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 750, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. GQG Partners is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Rajiv Jain, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer

GQG Partners Community Empowerment Foundation

450 East Las Olas Blvd, Suite 750

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Sole Member, Director
Tim Carver, Chief Executive Officer

GQG Partners Community Empowerment Foundation

450 East Las Olas Blvd, Suite 750

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Director
 

Hycroft, LLC

100 Park Avenue, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Director

Melodie Zakaluk,

Chief Operating Officer

GQG Global UCITS ICAV

2nd Floor

5 Earlsfort Terrace

Dublin D2

Ireland

Director

 

 

 

KBI GLOBAL INVESTORS (NORTH AMERICA) LTD

 

KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd (“KBI”), serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s KBI Global Investors Aquarius Fund. The principal address of KBI is 3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC Dublin 1, Ireland. KBI is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position

With Investment Adviser

Name and Principal Business

Address of Other Company

Connection With Other Company

Sean Hawkshaw

President

KBI Global Investors Ltd.

3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 X5P3, Ireland.

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Geoff Blake,

Director

KBI Global Investors Ltd.

3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 X5P3 Ireland.

Director, Head of Clients & Business Development

William Cotter, Non-Executive Director

 

KBI Global Investors Ltd.

3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 X5P3, Ireland.

KBIGI - Non-Executive Director

(Mr. Cotter is retired and has only two active Non Executive directorships).

 

KKM FINANCIAL LLC

 

KKM Financial LLC (“KKM”) serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s Democracy International Fund. The principal address of KKM is 141 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1711, Chicago, Illinois 60604. [KKM is XX.] The information below is provided as of [date]. [To be updated by amendment.]

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
     

 

 

 

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC

 

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC (“Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Knights of Columbus Core Bond Fund, Knights of Columbus Limited Duration Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Growth Fund, Knights of Columbus Large Cap Value Fund, Knights of Columbus Small Cap Fund, Knights of Columbus International Equity Fund, Knights of Columbus Long/Short Equity Fund, Knights of Columbus U.S. All Cap Index Fund and Knights of Columbus Real Estate Fund (formerly, Knights of Columbus Global Real Estate Fund). The principal address of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors is One Columbus Plaza, New Haven, Connecticut 06510. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Anthony V. Minopoli,

President and Chief Investment Officer

Knights of Columbus

1 Columbus Plaza

New Haven, CT 06510

Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Supreme Director of the Board of Directors
Michael P. Votto, Vice President and Special Counsel; formerly, Chief Compliance Officer (from 2015 to June 2016)

Knights of Columbus

1 Columbus Plaza

New Haven, CT 06510

Special Counsel
Terry A. Wettergreen, Chief Compliance Officer (from January 2018 to September 2019)

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center, Suite 216

223 Wilmington West Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Director

 

L2 ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

L2 Asset Management, LLC (“L2”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Registrant’s Knights of Columbus Long/Short Equity Fund and Knights of Columbus U.S. All Cap Index Fund. The principal address of L2 is 66 Glezen Lane, Wayland, Massachusetts 01778. L2 is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Matthew Malgari

Managing Member, Portfolio Manager

Kailash Capital, LLC

66 Glezen Lane

Wayland, MA 01778

Managing Member

Sanjeev Bhohjraj

Portfolio Manager

Kailash Capital, LLC

66 Glezen Lane

Wayland, MA 01778

Managing Member
 

Samuel Curtis Johnson

Graduate School of Management

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Sage Hall, 106 East Avenue

Ithaca, New York 14853

Professor

 

 

 

Nathan Przybylo

Programmer

Kailash Capital, LLC

66 Glezen Lane

Wayland, MA 01778

Programmer, Member

Tyson Arnedt

Chief Operating Officer

& General Counsel

Kailash Capital, LLC

66 Glezen Lane

Wayland, MA 01778

General Counsel
 

Casata Group, LLC

18 Volcanic Hill RD.

Wantage, New Jersey 07461

Founder & Principal

Giselle Casella

Chief Compliance Officer

Adviser Compliance Consultants

5082 Escalante Dr.

North Port, Florida 34287

Founder & CEO

 

LEGAL & GENERAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AMERICA, INC.

 

Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (“LGIMA”), serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s Legal & General Retirement Income 2040 Fund, the Legal & General Global Developed Equity Index Fund, the Legal & General Cash Flow Matched Bond Fund, the Legal & General Long Duration U.S. Credit Fund and the Legal & General U.S. Credit Fund. The principal address of LGIMA is 71 South Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606. LGIMA is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Michelle Scrimgeour

Chairwoman

Legal & General Investment Management Limited

One Coleman Street, London, UK EC2R 5AA

Chief Executive Officer, Director
 

LGIM International, Ltd.

One Coleman Street, London, UK EC2R 5AA

Director
 

Legal & General Investment Management Japan Limited

2-7-1 Yurakuncho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan

Director

 

 

 

 

The Investment Association

23 Camomile Street, London, England, EC3A 7LL

Director
 

FCA Practioner Panelist

FCA Practitioners Panels Secretariat, 12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN

Director
 

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director

Chad Ravkin

Director

LGIM ETF

Legal & General Investment Management Limited

One Coleman Street, London, UK EC2R 5AA

Director
 

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director

Aaron Meder

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director
 

Legal & General Investment Management Limited

One Coleman Street, London, UK EC2R 5AA

Management Committee Member

John Bender

Chief Investment Officer, Director

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director

Pat Ryan

Chief Financial Officer, Director

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director

Christine Smith

Chief Operating Officer, Director

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Director

 

 

 

Emma Rodriguez-Ayala

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Board Secretary

Legal & General Investment Management U.S. Holdings, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Board Secretary

Donald Andrews

Head of Distribution and Client Solutions

Kigali Farm, LLC

1189 Wilmette Ave, #120, Wilmette, IL 60091

Manager
 

Ledgeview Commercial Partners, LLC

157 Amory, Manchester, NH 03102

Manager

 

METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

MetLife Investment Management, LLC (“MetLife”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s MetLife Core Plus Fund and MetLife Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund. The principal address of MetLife is One Whippany Way, Whippany, New Jersey 07981. MetLife is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Steven Goulart

President, Chief Executive Officer

MetLife, Inc.

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
 

MetLife Group, Inc.

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
 

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
 

MetLife Investments Management Holdings, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

President and Director
 

MetLife EU Holding Company Limited

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

Director

 

 

 

Joseph Pollaro

Chief Operating Officer

MetLife Investments Securities, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

President and Chief Executive Officer
 

MetLife Investment Management Limited (United Kingdom)

Level 34

One Canada Square

London E14 5AA

United Kingdom

Chief Operating Officer

Director

 

MetLife Asset Management Corp. (Japan)

Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho Kioi Tower 25F

1-3, Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Japan

Chief Operating Officer

Director

 

MetLife Investments Asia Limited

9th Floor, One Taikoo Place

979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay

Hong Kong S.A.R.

Chief Operating Officer

Director

 

 

MetLife Investment Management Holdings (Ireland) Limited

20 on Hatch

Lower Hatch Street

Dublin 2, Ireland

Director
 

MetLife Investments Management Holdings, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Board of Managers
 

MetLife Investors Group, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Board of Managers
 

MIM I, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Chief Operating Officer

Michael Yick

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

MetLife Investments Securities, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 

MetLife Investments Management Holdings LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Treasurer
 

MIM I, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, NJ 07981

Treasurer

 

 

 

MESIROW FINANCIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. (“MFIM”), serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Mesirow Financial Enhanced Core Plus Fund (formerly, Mesirow Financial Core Bond Fund), Mesirow Financial High Yield Fund and Mesirow Financial Small Cap Value Sustainability Fund (formerly, Mesirow Financial Small Cap Value Fund). The principal address of MFIM is 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654. MFIM is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Richard Price, Chairman

CIBC Bancorp USA Inc.

120 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Board Director and Committee Member

 

NICHOLAS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.

 

Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P. (“Nicholas”), serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Nicholas Partners Small Cap Growth Fund. The principal address of Nicholas is 6451 El Sicomoro Street, Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067. Nicholas is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
Arthur Nicholas, Co-Founder/Adviser

Wagonhound Land & Livestock, LLC

1061 Poison Lake Drive

Douglas, WY 82633

Sole Owner

 

NINETY ONE NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Ninety One North America, Inc. (“Ninety One”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Ninety One Global Franchise Fund, Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Ninety One Global Environment Fund and Ninety One International Franchise Fund. The principal address of Ninety One is 65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022. Ninety One is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020, no director, officer or partner of Ninety One engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

 

 

 

PENN MUTUAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Penn Mutual Asset Management, LLC (“PMAM”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s Penn Mutual AM Strategic Income Fund and Penn Mutual AM 1847 Income Fund. The principal address of PMAM is 600 Dresher Road, Suite 100, Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044. PMAM is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

David M. O’Malley,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Penn Series Funds, Inc.

Baltimore, MD

President
 

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Philadelphia, PA

Trustee, President and Chief Operating Officer
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company

Wilmington, DE

Director, President and Chief Operating Officer
 

PIA Reinsurance Company of Delaware I

Horsham, PA

President
 

Independence Square Properties, LLC

Wilmington, DE

Director and President
 

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Philadelphia, PA

Director
 

Vantis Life Insurance Company

Windsor, Connecticut

Director
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company of New York

Brewster, NY

Director
  Penn Mutual Asset Management Multi-Series Fund (Cayman), SPC Director

Eileen C. McDonnell,

Manager

Penn Series Funds, Inc.

Baltimore, MD

Director and Chairperson of the Board
 

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Philadelphia, PA

Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson of the Board
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company

Wilmington, DE

Chief Executive Officer, Director, and Chairperson of the Board

 

 

 

 

Independence Square Properties, LLC

Wilmington, DE

Director
 

Vantis Life Insurance Company

Windsor, Connecticut

Director
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company of New York

Brewster, NY

Director

Keith G. Huckerby,

President and Chief Operating Officer

Penn Mutual Asset Management Multi-Series Fund (Cayman), SPC Chairperson and Director

David M. Raszeja,

Manager

Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. Director (Board of Managers)
 

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Philadelphia, PA

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company

Wilmington, DE

Director, Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer
 

PIA Reinsurance Company of Delaware I

Horsham, PA

Director, Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer

Tyler Thur,

Treasurer and Controller

Penn Series Funds, Inc.

Baltimore, MD

Assistant Treasurer

Steven Viola,

Assistant Treasurer

Penn Series Funds, Inc.

Baltimore, MD

Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal

Accounting Officer)

Christopher G. Jahn,

Auditor

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Philadelphia, PA

Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company

Wilmington, DE

Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit
 

PIA Reinsurance Company of Delaware I

Horsham, PA

Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit

 

 

 

Ann-Marie Mason

General Counsel, Asset Management and Broker/Dealer and Secretary

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Philadelphia, PA

 General Counsel, Asset Management and Broker/Dealer

Jessica Swarr,

Tax Director

Independence Square Properties, LLC

Wilmington, DE

Tax Director
 

The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company

Wilmington, DE

Tax Director
 

PIA Reinsurance Company of Delaware I

Horsham, PA

Tax Director

Wei Zhao,

Chief Compliance Officer

Penn Series Funds, Inc.

Baltimore, MD

Chief Compliance Officer

 

PINEBRIDGE INVESTMENTS LLC

 

PineBridge Investments LLC (“PineBridge”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s PineBridge Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund. The principal address of PineBridge is Park Avenue Tower, 65 East 55th Street, New York, New York 10022. PineBridge is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information listed below is provided as of October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company

Connection with

Other Company

FT Chong

Managing Director

Poof-Alex Holdings LLC

10 Glenville St.

Greenwich, CT 06831

Board Member

 

RANGER GLOBAL REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, LLC

 

Ranger Global Real Estate Advisors, LLC (“Ranger”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Registrant’s Knights of Columbus Real Estate Fund (formerly, Knights of Columbus Global Real Estate Fund). The principal address of Ranger is 405 Lexington Avenue, Suite 3401, New York, New York 10174. Ranger is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of October 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

F. Scott Tuck

Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner

ValueQuest Capital LLP

8th Fl, Vibgyor Towers

BKC, Mumbai

Independent Fund Director

 

 

 

Richard B. Saltzman

Board Member

Senior Advisor

Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE-KIM)

500 North Broadway - Suite 201

Jericho, N.Y. 11753

Independent Director
 

Peaceable Street Capital LLC

Silver Lake Executive Campus

41 University Drive - Suite 101

Newtown, PA 18940

Senior Advisor and Advisory Board Member
 

Louw Advance Pty Ltd.

12 North Road

Dunkeld West Johannesburg

South Africa

Director

30% shareholder

 

Equiem Holdings Pty Ltd.

Level 4 Rialto South Tower 525 Collins Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Non-Executive Director

1% shareholder

 

Rayliant Asset Management

 

Rayliant Investment Research, doing business as Rayliant Asset Management (“Rayliant”), serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s Rayliant Quantamental China Equity Fund and Rayliant Quantamental China Equity ETF. The principal address of Rayliant is 11 Zephyr, Irvine, California 92602. Rayliant is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of December 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with

Investment Adviser

Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Jason Hsu,

Chairman and Chief Investment Officer

 

Rayliant Global Advisors Limited

Room No. 1818, 18/F, Radio City

505-511 Hennessy Road

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Director / Shareholder

Rayliant Asset Management Limited

Unit 1102, 43 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong

Director, Responsible Officer

Henderson Rowe Limited

8th Floor, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square,

London, W1J 6BR

Director

IHSV, Inc. Shareholder

11 Zephyr, Irvine, CA 92602, USA

Shareholder

Signature Collection Properties, LLC

11 Zephyr, Irvine, CA 92602, USA

Shareholder

Veritas Liberabit Vos, LLC

11 Zephyr, Irvine, CA 92602, USA

Shareholder

 

 

 

Michael J Bowers,

Senior Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer

Rayliant Global Advisors Limited

Room No. 1818, 18/F, Radio City

505-511 Hennessy Road

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Director / Shareholder

Henderson Rowe Limited

8th Floor, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square,

London, W1J 6BR

Director

Matthew Bowers,

Senior Managing Director, General Counsel / Chief Compliance Officer

Henderson Rowe Limited

8th Floor, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square,

London, W1J 6BR

Director

 

REFLECTION ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Reflection Asset Management, LLC (“Reflection”), serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (formerly, DEMZ Political Contributions ETF). The principal address of 1000 Palm Boulevard, #571, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451. Reflection is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of [date]. [To be updated by amendment.]

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company
     

 

RWC ASSET ADVISORS (US) LLC

 

RWC Asset Advisors (US) LLC (“RWC”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s RWC Global Emerging Equity Fund. The principal address of RWC is 2640 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 201, Miami, Florida 33133. RWC is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, no director, officer or partner of RWC engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

 

SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC

 

SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC (“SouthernSun”) serves as the investment adviser for the Registrant’s SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. The principal address of SouthernSun is 240 Madison Avenue, Suite 800 Memphis, Tennessee 38103. SouthernSun is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, no director, officer or partner of SouthernSun engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

 

 

 

STRATEGIC GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC

 

Strategic Global Advisors, LLC (“Strategic Global Advisors”) serves as investment adviser for the Registrant’s SGA International Equity Fund, SGA International Equity Plus Fund, SGA International Small-Mid Cap Equity Fund and SGA Global Equity Fund. The principal address of Strategic Global Advisors is 100 Bayview Circle, Suite 650, Newport Beach, California 92660. Strategic Global Advisors is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The information below is provided as of July 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

Name and Position with
Investment Adviser
Name and Principal Business
Address of Other Company
Connection with Other Company

Brett Gallagher

President

Nile Capital Group, LLC

2121 Avenue of the Stars, #160

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Managing Director, Research & Acquisition
 

Convergence Investment Partners, LLC

3801 PGA Blvd., Suite 1001

Palm Beach Garden, FL 33410

CEO

 

VIDENT INVESTMENT ADVISORY, LLC

 

Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (“Vident”) serves as the investment sub-adviser for the Registrant’s Democracy International Fund. The principal address of Vident is 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy., Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. Vident is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, no director, officer, or partner of Vident engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

 

ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

 

(a) Furnish the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for which each principal underwriter currently distributing the securities of the Registrant also acts as a principal underwriter, distributor or investment adviser.

 

The Registrant’s distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SIDCO”), acts as distributor for:

 

SEI Daily Income Trust July 15, 1982
SEI Tax Exempt Trust December 3, 1982
SEI Institutional Managed Trust January 22, 1987
SEI Institutional International Trust August 30, 1988
The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund November 14, 1991
The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II January 28, 1993
Bishop Street Funds January 27, 1995
SEI Asset Allocation Trust April 1, 1996
SEI Institutional Investments Trust June 14, 1996

 

 

 

City National Rochdale Funds (f/k/a CNI Charter Funds) April 1, 1999
Causeway Capital Management Trust September 20, 2001
SEI Offshore Opportunity Fund II September 1, 2005
ProShares Trust November 14, 2005
Community Capital Trust (f/k/a Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund) January 8, 2007
SEI Offshore Advanced Strategy Series SPC July 31, 2007
SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP July 31, 2007
Global X Funds October 24, 2008
ProShares Trust II November 17, 2008
SEI Special Situations Fund July 1, 2009
Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (f/k/a FaithShares Trust) August 7, 2009
Schwab Strategic Trust October 12, 2009
RiverPark Funds Trust September 8, 2010
Adviser Managed Trust December 10, 2010
SEI Core Property Fund January 1, 2011
New Covenant Funds March 23, 2012
Highland Funds I (f/k/a Pyxis Funds I) September 25, 2012
KraneShares Trust December 18, 2012
SEI Insurance Products Trust September 10, 2013
The KP Funds September 19, 2013
SEI Catholic Values Trust March 24, 2015
SEI Hedge Fund SPC June 26, 2015
SEI Energy Debt Fund June 30, 2015
Gallery Trust January 8, 2016
Schroder Series Trust February 10, 2017
Schroder Global Series Trust February 10, 2017
City National Rochdale Select Strategies Fund March 1, 2017
Metaurus Equity Component Trust October 2, 2017
Impact Shares Trust March 1, 2018
City National Rochdale Strategic Credit Fund May 16, 2018
Symmetry Panoramic Trust July 23, 2018
Frost Family of Funds May 31, 2019
Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund March 22, 2021

 

SIDCO provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services (“Funds Evaluation”) and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions (“MarketLink”).

 

 

 

(b) Furnish the Information required by the following table with respect to each director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter named in the answer to Item 25 of Part B. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each director or officer is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.

 

Name Position and Office
with Underwriter
Positions and Offices
with Registrant
William M. Doran Director Trustee and Chairman of the Board
Paul F. Klauder Director --
Wayne M. Withrow Director --
Kevin P. Barr Director, President, & Chief Executive Officer --
Maxine J. Chou Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, & Treasurer --
Jennifer H. Campisi Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary --
John C. Munch General Counsel & Secretary --
Mark J. Held Senior Vice President --
John P. Coary Vice President & Assistant Secretary --
Lori L. White Vice President & Assistant Secretary --
Judith A. Rager Vice President --
Jason McGhin Vice President --
Gary Michael Reese Vice President --
Robert M. Silvestri Vice President --

 

(c) Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS:

 

Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are maintained as follows:

 

(a) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1); (2)(a) and (b); (3); (6); (8); (12); and 31a-1(d), the required books and records are maintained at the offices of the Registrant’s custodians:

 

MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Union Bank, N.A.)

350 California Street

6th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

 

 

 

(b) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1), (4); (2)(C) and (D); (4); (5); (6); (8); (9); (10); (11); and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the offices of the Registrant’s administrator:

 

SEI Investments Global Funds Services

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

 

(c) With respect to Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the principal offices of the Registrant’s advisers:

 

Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC

6300 C Street SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 54299

 

Aperture Investors, LLC

250 West 55th Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10019

 

ARGA Investment Management, LP

1010 Washington Boulevard, 6th Floor

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC

2000 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1230

Dallas, Texas 75201

 

Chevy Chase Trust Company

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, 1500W

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Chiron Investment Management, LLC

10 East 53rd Street

New York, New York 10022

 

Democracy Investment Management LLC

1480 Moraga Road

Suite C #378

Moraga, California 94556

 

Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC

10900 Hefner Pointe Drive

Suite 207

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120

 

First Foundation Advisors

18101 Von Karman Avenue

Suite 700

Irvine, California 92612

 

 

 

GQG Partners LLC

450 East Las Olas Boulevard

Suite 750

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

 

KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd

3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place

IFSC

Dublin 1

Ireland

 

KKM Financial LLC

141 West Jackson Boulevard

Suite 1711

Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC

One Columbus Plaza

New Haven, Connecticut 06510

 

L2 Asset Management, LLC

66 Glezen Lane

Wayland, Massachusetts 01778

 

Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc.

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

MetLife Investment Management, LLC

One MetLife Way

Whippany, New Jersey 07981

 

Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.

353 N. Clark Street

Chicago, Illinois 60654

 

Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P.

6451 El Sicomoro Street

Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067

 

Ninety One North America, Inc.

65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

Penn Mutual Asset Management, LLC

600 Dresher Road, Suite 100

Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044

 

PineBridge Investments LLC

Park Avenue Tower

65 East 55th Street

New York, New York 10022

 

 

 

Ranger Global Real Estate Advisors, LLC

405 Lexington Avenue, Suite 3401

New York, New York 10174

 

Rayliant Asset Management

11 Zephyr

Irvine, California 92602

 

Reflection Asset Management, LLC

1000 Palm Boulevard, #571

Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451

 

RWC Asset Advisors (US) LLC

2640 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 201

Miami, Florida 33133

 

SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC

240 Madison Avenue, Suite 800

Memphis, Tennessee 38103

 

Strategic Global Advisors, LLC

100 Bayview Circle

Suite 650

Newport Beach, California 92660

 

Vident Investment Advisory, LLC

1125 Sanctuary Pkwy.

Suite 515

Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

 

ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

None.

 

ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS:

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to Registration Statement No. 333-192858 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oaks, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the 16th day of June, 2021.

 

  THE ADVISORS’ INNER CIRCLE FUND III
       
  By: *  
    Michael Beattie  
    President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.

 

*   Trustee   June 16, 2021
William M. Doran        
         
*   Trustee   June 16, 2021
Jon C. Hunt        
         
*   Trustee   June 16, 2021
Thomas P. Lemke        
         
*   Trustee   June 16, 2021
Jay C. Nadel        
         
*   Trustee   June 16, 2021
Randall S. Yanker        
         
*   President   June 16, 2021
Michael Beattie        
         
*   Treasurer, Controller &   June 16, 2021
Andrew Metzger   Chief Financial Officer    

 

*By: /s/ James Bernstein  
  James Bernstein  
  Attorney-in-Fact