N-CSRS 1 tmf-ncsrs.htm THE MERGER FUND AND WCM ALTERNATIVES EVENT-DRIVEN FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT 6-30-14 tmf-ncsrs.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES




Investment Company Act file number 811-3445



The Merger Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



100 Summit Lake Drive
Valhalla, New York 10595
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)



Roy Behren and Michael T. Shannon
100 Summit Lake Drive
Valhalla, New York  10595
(Name and address of agent for service)


1-800-343-8959
Registrant's telephone number, including area code



Date of fiscal year end: December 31



Date of reporting period:  June 30, 2014
 

 
 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE MERGER FUND
 
WCM ALTERNATIVES:
EVENT-DRIVEN FUND
 






SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
June 30, 2014
 

 

 
 

 
 
GLOBAL MERGER ACTIVITY

Quarterly volume of announced global mergers
and acquisitions January 2004 – June 2014 (Unaudited)



Source: Bloomberg, Global Financial Advisory Mergers & Acquisitions Rankings First Six-Months 2014
 
DEAL COMPOSITION

The Merger Fund (Unaudited)
 
Type of Buyer*
         
Deal Terms*
       
Strategic
    100.0 %    
Stock & Stub1
    37.0 %  
Financial
    0.0 %    
Cash & Stock
    18.6 %  
             
Cash
    18.5 %  
By Deal Type*
           
Stock with Fixed Exchange Ratio
    12.6 %  
Friendly
    93.3 %    
Undetermined2
    11.1 %  
Hostile
    6.7 %    
Stock with Flexible Exchange Ratio (Collar)
    2.2 %  
 
Data expressed as a percentage of long common stock, corporate and municipal bonds and swap contract positions as of June 30, 2014.
1
“Stub” includes assets other than cash and stock (e.g., escrow notes).
2
The compensation is undetermined because the compensation to be received (e.g., stock, cash, escrow notes, other) will be determined at a later date, potentially at the option of the Fund’s investment adviser.
 
 
1

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

The Merger Fund (Unaudited)
 
By Sector*
By Region*
 
 
 
 



WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund (Unaudited)

By Sector*
By Region*
 
 

*
Data expressed as a percentage of long common stock, corporate and municipal bonds and swap contract positions as of June 30, 2014.
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.

 
2

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs as described below and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 for the period 1/1/14 - 6/30/14.
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of the table for each share class provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The example below includes, among other fees, management fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. However, the example below does not include portfolio trading commissions and related expenses, and extraordinary expenses as determined under generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line of the table for each share class provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
3

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

     
Annualized
Expenses Paid
 
Beginning Account
Ending Account
Expense
During Period
 
Value 1/1/14
Value 6/30/14
Ratio
1/1/14 - 6/30/14*
The Merger Fund
       
  Investor Class
       
     Actual+(1)
$1,000.00
$1,028.70
1.43%
$7.19
     Hypothetical+(2)
$1,000.00
$1,017.70
1.43%
$7.15
  Institutional Class
       
     Actual++(3)
$1,000.00
$1,029.40
1.27%
$6.39
     Hypothetical++(2)
$1,000.00
$1,018.50
1.27%
$6.36
         
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
       
  Institutional Class^
       
     Actual+++(4)
$1,000.00
$1,051.00
2.15%
$10.93
     Hypothetical+++(2)
$1,000.00
$1,014.13
2.15%
$10.74
 
*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
+
Excluding dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short, your actual cost of investment in and your hypothetical cost of investment in The Merger Fund Investor Class would have been $6.19 and $6.16, respectively.
++
Excluding dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short, your actual cost of investment in and your hypothetical cost of investment in The Merger Fund Institutional Class would have been $5.38 and $5.36, respectively.
+++
Excluding dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short, your actual cost of investment in and your hypothetical cost of investment in the WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund would have been $8.85 and $8.20, respectively.
(1)
Ending account values and expenses paid during the period based on a 2.87% return.  This actual return is net of expenses.
(2)
Ending account values and expenses paid during period based on a 5.00% annual return before expenses.
(3)
Ending account values and expenses paid during the period based on a 2.94% return.  This actual return is net of expenses.
(4)
Ending account values and expenses paid during the period based on a 5.10% return, which is calculated for the period January 2, 2014 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2014.  This actual return is net of expenses.
^
Commencement of operations January 2, 2014.

 
4

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
   
COMMON STOCKS — 88.04%
 
           
   
ADVERTISING — 2.98%
     
  3,139,900  
Lamar Advertising Company Class A (f)
  $ 166,414,700  
               
     
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE — 1.06%
       
  641,800  
B/E Aerospace, Inc. (a)(h)
    59,360,082  
               
     
APPLICATION SOFTWARE — 0.21%
       
  566,143  
AutoNavi Holdings, Ltd. — ADR (a)
    11,832,389  
  2,250  
King Digital Entertainment plc (a)(b)
    46,238  
            11,878,627  
               
     
AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS — 2.03%
       
  3,121,100  
General Motors Company (f)
    113,295,930  
               
     
BROADCASTING & CABLE TV — 1.84%
       
  1,647,758  
CBS Corporation Class B (f)
    102,391,682  
               
     
CABLE & SATELLITE TV — 9.80%
       
  1,404,558  
DIRECTV (a)(e)
    119,401,476  
  913,500  
DISH Network Corporation Class A (a)(e)
    59,450,580  
  345,145  
Liberty Global plc Series C (a)
    14,603,085  
  33,052,651  
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc. (a)(f)
    114,362,172  
  1,621,051  
Time Warner Cable, Inc. (f)
    238,780,812  
            546,598,125  
     
COAL & CONSUMABLE FUELS — 0.02%
       
               
  21,700  
CONSOL Energy, Inc.
    999,719  
     
COMMODITY CHEMICALS — 0.19%
       
  710,778  
PetroLogistics LP
    10,206,772  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING — 0.31%
       
  505,132  
Foster Wheeler AG (b)
    17,209,847  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION & FARM MACHINERY
       
     
  & HEAVY TRUCKS — 0.20%
       
  343,600  
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (f)
    11,290,696  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS — 1.71%
       
  1,033,356  
Texas Industries, Inc. (a)(e)
    95,440,760  
               
     
CONSUMER FINANCE — 2.09%
       
  4,717,909  
Navient Corporation (f)
    83,554,168  
  3,974,761  
SLM Corporation
    33,030,264  
            116,584,432  
               
     
DIVERSIFIED BANKS — 0.17%
       
  587,358  
Wing Hang Bank, Ltd. (b)
    9,473,027  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
5

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
DIVERSIFIED CHEMICALS — 5.65%
     
  1,365,000  
The Dow Chemical Company (f)
  $ 70,242,900  
  1,479,900  
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company (f)
    96,844,656  
  5,270,704  
Huntsman Corporation (f)
    148,106,782  
            315,194,338  
               
     
DIVERSIFIED METALS & MINING — 0.01%
       
  276,970  
Pilot Gold, Inc. (a)(b)
    378,967  
               
     
DIVERSIFIED SUPPORT SERVICES — 1.18%
       
  104,600  
Civeo Corporation
    2,618,138  
  1,783,600  
Iron Mountain, Inc. (h)
    63,228,620  
            65,846,758  
               
     
DRUG RETAIL — 0.65%
       
  487,700  
Walgreen Company
    36,153,201  
               
     
FOOD RETAIL — 1.53%
       
  2,479,639  
Safeway, Inc. (g)
    85,150,803  
               
     
GOLD — 0.70%
       
  1,529,484  
Newmont Mining Corporation
    38,910,073  
               
     
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT — 2.81%
       
  1,735,407  
Covidien plc (b)(e)
    156,499,003  
               
     
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY — 0.86%
       
  704,900  
The Timken Company
    47,820,416  
               
     
INTEGRATED OIL & GAS — 5.28%
       
  484,600  
BP plc — ADR
    25,562,650  
  1,590,600  
Hess Corporation (f)
    157,294,434  
  1,086,000  
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (f)
    111,456,180  
            294,313,264  
               
     
INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.39%
       
  437,500  
Verizon Communications, Inc.
    21,406,875  
               
     
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES — 1.96%
       
  318,700  
Equinix, Inc. (a)(g)
    66,955,683  
  1,209,500  
Yahoo!, Inc. (a)
    42,489,735  
            109,445,418  
               
     
LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE — 0.80%
       
  648,672  
Protective Life Corporation
    44,972,430  
               
     
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES — 0.99%
       
  966,200  
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (h)
    55,498,528  
               
     
MOVIES & ENTERTAINMENT — 0.00%
       
  1,000  
SFX Entertainment, Inc. (a)
    8,100  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
6

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
MULTI-LINE INSURANCE — 3.01%
     
  3,074,887  
American International Group, Inc. (f)
  $ 167,827,332  
               
     
MULTI-UTILITIES — 0.51%
       
  1,114,100  
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
    28,454,114  
               
     
OIL & GAS DRILLING — 2.87%
       
  843,300  
Ensco plc Class A (b)
    46,862,181  
  2,905,077  
Noble Corporation plc (b)(f)
    97,494,384  
  355,800  
Transocean, Ltd. (b)
    16,021,674  
            160,378,239  
               
     
OIL & GAS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES — 2.62%
       
  33,700  
Halliburton Company
    2,393,037  
  1,705,400  
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (f)
    140,439,690  
  52,300  
Oil States International, Inc. (a)
    3,351,907  
            146,184,634  
               
     
OIL & GAS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION — 4.01%
       
  1,137,900  
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (f)
    124,565,913  
  2,872,100  
QEP Resources, Inc. (f)
    99,087,450  
            223,653,363  
               
     
OIL & GAS STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION — 0.02%
       
  17,200  
The Williams Companies, Inc.
    1,001,212  
               
     
PACKAGED FOODS & MEATS — 4.33%
       
  3,875,305  
The Hillshire Brands Company (f)
    241,431,502  
               
     
PAPER PRODUCTS — 1.61%
       
  1,777,900  
International Paper Company (f)
    89,730,613  
               
     
PHARMACEUTICALS — 8.83%
       
  716,916  
Allergan, Inc. (f)
    121,316,526  
  128,900  
Endo International plc (a)(b)
    9,025,578  
  1,843,092  
Forest Laboratories, Inc. (a)(e)
    182,466,108  
  671,500  
Mallinckrodt plc (a)(b)(h)
    53,733,430  
  3,644,569  
Pfizer, Inc. (f)
    108,170,808  
  190,627  
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    17,631,091  
            492,343,541  
               
     
REGIONAL BANKS — 0.27%
       
  1,349,441  
Investors Bancorp, Inc.
    14,911,323  
               
     
REITS — 4.70%
       
  2,592,675  
CommonWealth REIT (f)
    68,239,206  
  6,065,243  
NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation (a)(f)
    105,413,923  
  1,581,506  
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.
    37,592,398  
  288,499  
Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust (a)
    7,561,559  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
7

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
REITS — 4.70% (continued)
     
  1,305,500  
Weyerhaeuser Company
  $ 43,198,995  
            262,006,081  
               
     
SECURITY & ALARM SERVICES — 0.43%
       
  731,400  
Corrections Corporation of America (h)
    24,026,490  
               
     
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT — 1.69%
       
  5,517,865  
Tokyo Electron Ltd. — ADR (g)
    94,300,313  
               
     
SEMICONDUCTORS — 0.17%
       
  557,286  
RDA Microelectronics, Inc. — ADR
    9,535,163  
               
     
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS — 1.42%
       
  259,200  
Ashland, Inc.
    28,185,408  
  1,959,100  
Chemtura Corporation (a)(h)
    51,191,283  
            79,376,691  
               
     
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE — 1.63%
       
  9,239,441  
Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (g)
    90,823,705  
               
     
TOBACCO — 0.20%
       
  186,700  
Lorillard, Inc.
    11,383,099  
               
     
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS — 0.28%
       
  426,350  
NOW, Inc. (a)
    15,438,134  
               
     
TRUCKING — 0.10%
       
  202,000  
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (a)
    5,662,060  
               
     
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 3.92%
       
  8,649,806  
Sprint Corporation (a)(f)
    73,782,845  
  2,948,190  
T-Mobile U.S., Inc. (a)(f)
    99,118,148  
  1,370,525  
Vodafone Group plc — ADR
    45,761,830  
            218,662,823  
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $4,466,467,112)
    4,909,873,005  
         
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS — 0.00%
       
  77,699  
Leap Wireless International, Inc. (a)(d)(k)
    194,247  
     
TOTAL CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS (Cost $0)
    194,247  
         
WARRANTS — 0.00%
       
  142,642  
Kinross Gold Corporation (a)(b)
    3,342  
     
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $540,028)
    3,342  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
8

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Principal Amount
 
Value
 
       
CORPORATE BONDS — 3.51%
     
   
American Airlines Group, Inc.
     
$ 30,933,000  
  7.500%, 3/15/2016 (Acquired 1/29/13 through 11/21/13, cost $31,266,730) (i)
  $ 32,189,653  
     
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
       
  14,941,000  
  5.250%, 4/1/2022
    16,341,719  
     
Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc.
       
  25,506,000  
  6.500%, 10/1/2017 (Acquired 5/27/14 through 5/28/14, cost $26,564,838) (b)(i)
    26,207,415  
     
Gentiva Health Services, Inc.
       
  34,194,000  
  11.500%, 9/1/2018
    36,544,837  
     
The Hillman Group, Inc.
       
  4,930,000  
  10.875%, 6/1/2018
    5,232,209  
     
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
       
  10,338,000  
  6.625%, 11/15/2020
    11,074,583  
     
National Money Mart Company
       
  26,613,000  
  10.375%, 12/15/2016 (b)
    28,109,981  
     
Nuveen Investments, Inc.
       
  33,620,000  
  9.500%, 10/15/2020 (Acquired 4/17/14 through 6/6/14, cost $40,080,184) (i)
    40,007,800  
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $195,289,064)
    195,708,197  
         
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 0.11%
       
     
Louisiana Public Facilities
       
  5,984,000  
  9.750%, 8/1/2014
    6,004,884  
     
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS (Cost $5,984,000)
    6,004,884  
         
Contracts (100 shares per contract)
       
         
PURCHASED CALL OPTIONS — 0.02%
       
     
CBOE Volatility Index
       
  5,596  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    313,376  
  4,659  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    186,360  
  8,394  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    881,370  
            1,381,106  
         
PURCHASED PUT OPTIONS — 0.26%
       
     
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
       
  622  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    14,306  
  7,067  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    310,948  
     
Allergan, Inc.
       
  981  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    193,747  
     
Alstom SA
       
  3,336  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 26.00 (j)
    132,473  
  2,769  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 26.00 (j)
    227,495  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
9

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)
 
Contracts (100 shares per contract)   Value  
   
American International Group, Inc.
     
  3,453  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
  $ 24,171  
  1,684  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    13,472  
  1,848  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    19,404  
  17,121  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    376,662  
     
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
       
  3,359  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    50,385  
  5,477  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    101,324  
     
Ashland, Inc.
       
  2,203  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    6,609  
     
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
       
  2,842  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $80.00
    312,620  
  897  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    195,098  
     
Barrick Gold Corporation
       
  3,768  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    885,480  
     
BP plc — ADR
       
  2,534  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
    5,068  
  2,170  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    16,275  
     
CBS Corporation Class B
       
  5,174  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    155,220  
  3,256  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    146,520  
  2,936  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    220,200  
     
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
       
  7,354  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    36,770  
     
Chemtura Corporation
       
  2,698  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    33,725  
  11,870  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    178,050  
     
CommonWealth REIT
       
  20,940  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    157,050  
     
CONSOL Energy, Inc.
       
  185  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $36.00
    555  
     
Corrections Corporation of America
       
  3,657  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    118,853  
     
DISH Network Corporation Class A
       
  8,222  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    698,870  
     
The Dow Chemical Company
       
  1,872  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
    54,288  
  8,231  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    856,024  
     
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company
       
  9,949  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    34,821  
  1,285  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    34,695  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
10

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)
 
Contracts (100 shares per contract)   Value  
   
Endo International plc
     
  1,161  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
  $ 14,513  
     
Ensco plc Class A
       
  4,728  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    70,920  
     
Equinix, Inc.
       
  422  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $180.00
    44,310  
  940  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $185.00
    148,050  
     
General Motors Company
       
  4,327  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    86,540  
  4,506  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    234,312  
     
Halliburton Company
       
  2,753  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    2,753  
     
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
       
  2,020  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    109,080  
     
Hess Corporation
       
  11,135  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $77.50
    66,810  
     
The Hillshire Brands Company
       
  11,280  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    28,200  
  4,111  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    10,278  
  255  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    1,275  
     
Huntsman Corporation
       
  26,742  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    66,855  
  11,730  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $23.00
    117,300  
     
International Paper Company
       
  1,744  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $40.00
    2,616  
  9,209  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $40.00
    138,135  
  2,656  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $41.00
    47,808  
     
Iron Mountain, Inc.
       
  10,125  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    25,313  
  4,719  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    23,595  
     
Lamar Advertising Company Class A
       
  503  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    3,773  
  3,140  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    39,250  
  3,140  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    31,400  
     
Lorillard, Inc.
       
  1,866  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    7,464  
     
Mallinckrodt plc
       
  910  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    4,550  
  6,580  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    49,350  
     
The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
       
  2,749  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    109,960  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
11

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)
 
Contracts (100 shares per contract)   Value  
   
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
     
  5,320  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
  $ 55,860  
  7,705  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $70.00
    115,575  
  881  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $72.50
    15,858  
     
Newmont Mining Corporation
       
  3,372  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $23.00
    10,116  
     
Noble Corporation plc
       
  2,220  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    26,640  
  5,507  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    132,168  
  14,246  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    484,364  
     
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
       
  1,509  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $82.50
    11,317  
  1,755  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    21,060  
  3,466  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    51,990  
  1,007  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    92,644  
     
Pfizer, Inc.
       
  4,165  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
    4,165  
  2,166  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    4,332  
  2,953  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    11,812  
  5,496  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    32,976  
     
QEP Resources, Inc.
       
  22,805  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    205,245  
     
SLM Corporation
       
  10,069  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    15,103  
  294  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $22.00
    441  
  17,237  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    189,607  
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
       
  3,738  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $189.00
    399,966  
  3,737  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $190.00
    459,651  
  5,604  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $191.00
    778,956  
  4,671  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $160.00
    457,758  
  4,671  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $181.00
    1,518,075  
     
Sprint Corporation
       
  20,189  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $6.00
    50,473  
  47,902  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $7.00
    526,922  
     
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
       
  4,022  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $120.00
    40,220  
     
The Timken Company
       
  4,651  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    127,902  
     
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.
       
  23,071  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    645,988  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
12

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Transocean, Ltd.
     
  504  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
  $ 8,064  
  1,666  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $38.00
    28,322  
  234  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $40.00
    5,850  
     
Verizon Communications, Inc.
       
  1,272  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    17,808  
  714  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    17,136  
     
Vodafone Group plc — ADR
       
  865  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    3,460  
  1,641  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    152,613  
  751  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    97,630  
     
Walgreen Company
       
  1,507  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $60.00
    45,963  
  1,975  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    178,738  
     
Weyerhaeuser Company
       
  12,220  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    91,650  
  3,251  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    16,255  
     
The Williams Companies, Inc.
       
  2,562  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $38.00
    3,843  
  2,160  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $39.00
    10,800  
     
Yahoo!, Inc.
       
  4,645  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    9,290  
  5,636  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    180,352  
            14,450,546  
     
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $48,362,843)
    15,831,652  
Principal Amount
       
ESCROW NOTES — 0.04%
       
$ 1,243,406  
AMR Corporation (a)(d)(k)
    2,300,301  
  13,887,000  
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (a)(d)(k)
     
     
TOTAL ESCROW NOTES (Cost $3,721,337)
    2,300,301  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
13

 

The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
       
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 14.55%
     
  335,000,000  
Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio,
     
     
  Institutional Share Class, 0.01% (c)(f)
  $ 335,000,000  
  141,172,352  
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Money Market Fund,
       
     
  Institutional Share Class, 0.07% (c)(e)
    141,172,352  
  335,000,000  
The Liquid Asset Portfolio,
       
     
  Institutional Share Class, 0.06% (c)(f)
    335,000,000  
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $811,172,352)
    811,172,352  
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $5,531,536,736) — 106.53%
  $ 5,941,087,980  

ADR – American Depository Receipt
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR – Euro
plc – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Foreign security.
(c)
The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield as of June 30, 2014.
(d)
Security fair valued by the Adviser in good faith in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.
(e)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for open securities sold short.
(f)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for written option contracts.
(g)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for swap contracts.
(h)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for forward currency exchange contracts.
(i)
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of June 30, 2014, these securities represented 1.76% of total net assets.
(j)
Level 2 Security. Please see Note 2 on the Notes to the Financial Statements.
(k)
Level 3 Security. Please see Note 2 on the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
14

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS — 83.61%
     
           
   
ADVERTISING — 2.81%
     
  4,000  
Lamar Advertising Company Class A (e)
  $ 212,000  
               
     
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE — 1.84%
       
  1,500  
B/E Aerospace, Inc. (a)(e)
    138,735  
               
     
APPLICATION SOFTWARE — 0.35%
       
  514  
AutoNavi Holdings, Ltd. — ADR (a)(d)
    10,743  
  750  
King Digital Entertainment plc (a)(b)
    15,412  
            26,155  
               
     
AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS — 2.31%
       
  4,800  
General Motors Company (e)
    174,240  
               
     
BROADCASTING & CABLE TV — 0.56%
       
  678  
CBS Corporation Class B (e)
    42,131  
               
     
CABLE & SATELLITE TV — 9.57%
       
  2,208  
DIRECTV (a)(d)
    187,702  
  1,600  
DISH Network Corporation Class A (a)(e)
    104,128  
  450  
Liberty Global plc Series C (a)(f)
    19,040  
  49,748  
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc. (a)(e)
    172,128  
  1,617  
Time Warner Cable, Inc. (e)
    238,184  
            721,182  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING — 0.73%
       
  1,622  
Foster Wheeler AG (b)(d)
    55,262  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION & FARM
       
     
  MACHINERY & HEAVY TRUCKS — 0.39%
       
  900  
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (e)
    29,574  
               
     
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS — 1.36%
       
  1,106  
Texas Industries, Inc. (a)(d)
    102,150  
               
     
CONSUMER FINANCE — 2.70%
       
  8,192  
Navient Corporation (e)
    145,080  
  7,056  
SLM Corporation (e)
    58,635  
            203,715  
               
     
DIVERSIFIED BANKS — 2.15%
       
  3,200  
Citigroup, Inc. (e)
    150,720  
  695  
Wing Hang Bank, Ltd. (b)(d)
    11,209  
            161,929  
      DIVERSIFIED CAPITAL MARKETS — 1.16%        
  2,664  
CI Financial Corporation (a)(b)(d)
    87,506  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
15

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
DIVERSIFIED CHEMICALS — 4.16%
     
  2,400  
The Dow Chemical Company (e)
  $ 123,504  
  2,900  
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company (e)
    189,776  
            313,280  
               
     
DRUG RETAIL — 1.08%
       
  1,100  
Walgreen Company (e)
    81,543  
               
     
FOOD RETAIL — 1.84%
       
  4,033  
Safeway, Inc. (d)
    138,493  
               
     
GOLD — 0.93%
       
  2,763  
Newmont Mining Corporation (e)
    70,291  
               
     
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT — 2.84%
       
  2,373  
Covidien plc (b)(e)
    213,997  
               
     
INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES — 1.12%
       
  3,200  
General Electric Company (e)
    84,096  
               
     
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY — 0.72%
       
  800  
The Timken Company (e)
    54,272  
               
     
INTEGRATED OIL & GAS — 2.95%
       
  1,100  
BP plc — ADR (e)
    58,025  
  1,600  
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (e)
    164,208  
            222,233  
               
     
INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.84%
       
  1,300  
Verizon Communications, Inc. (e)
    63,609  
               
     
INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES — 1.21%
       
  100  
Equinix, Inc. (a)(e)
    21,009  
  2,000  
Yahoo!, Inc. (a)(e)
    70,260  
            91,269  
               
     
LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE — 0.48%
       
  524  
Protective Life Corporation (d)
    36,329  
               
     
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES — 0.53%
       
  700  
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (e)
    40,208  
               
     
MULTI-LINE INSURANCE — 3.78%
       
  5,212  
American International Group, Inc. (e)
    284,471  
               
     
MULTI-UTILITIES — 1.02%
       
  3,000  
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (e)
    76,620  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
16

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)
 
Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
OIL & GAS DRILLING — 2.73%
     
  1,200  
Ensco plc Class A (b)(e)
  $ 66,684  
  2,523  
Noble Corporation plc (b)(e)
    84,672  
  1,200  
Transocean, Ltd. (b)(e)
    54,036  
            205,392  
               
     
OIL & GAS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES — 2.41%
       
  2,200  
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (e)
    181,170  
               
     
OIL & GAS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION — 3.11%
       
  1,700  
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (e)
    186,099  
  1,400  
QEP Resources, Inc. (e)
    48,300  
            234,399  
               
     
PACKAGED FOODS & MEATS — 5.05%
       
  6,106  
The Hillshire Brands Company (e)
    380,404  
               
     
PAPER PRODUCTS — 1.21%
       
  1,800  
International Paper Company (e)
    90,846  
               
     
PHARMACEUTICALS — 4.18%
       
  1,057  
Allergan, Inc. (e)
    178,866  
  399  
Endo International plc (a)(b)(e)
    27,938  
  296  
Forest Laboratories, Inc. (a)(d)
    29,304  
  1,700  
Pfizer, Inc. (e)
    50,456  
  303  
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (d)
    28,024  
            314,588  
               
     
REGIONAL BANKS — 1.40%
       
  9,517  
Investors Bancorp, Inc. (d)
    105,163  
               
     
REITS — 5.04%
       
  4,540  
CommonWealth REIT (e)
    119,493  
  9,273  
NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation (a)(e)
    161,164  
  3,118  
Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (d)
    74,115  
  448  
Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust (a)(f)
    11,742  
  400  
Weyerhaeuser Company (e)
    13,236  
            379,750  
               
     
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT — 1.87%
       
  8,253  
Tokyo Electron Ltd. — ADR (e)
    141,044  
               
     
SEMICONDUCTORS — 0.57%
       
  2,512  
RDA Microelectronics, Inc. — ADR (d)
    42,980  
               
     
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS — 1.42%
       
  500  
Ashland, Inc. (e)
    54,370  
  2,000  
Chemtura Corporation (a)(e)
    52,260  
            106,630  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
17

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
           
   
THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE — 0.78%
     
  5,950  
Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (d)
  $ 58,489  
               
     
TOBACCO — 0.16%
       
  200  
Lorillard, Inc. (e)
    12,194  
               
     
TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS — 0.26%
       
  550  
NOW, Inc. (a)(f)
    19,916  
               
     
TRUCKING — 0.07%
       
  200  
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (a)(e)
    5,606  
               
     
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 3.92%
       
  12,100  
Sprint Corporation (a)(e)
    103,213  
  4,500  
T-Mobile U.S., Inc. (a)(e)
    151,290  
  1,211  
Vodafone Group plc — ADR (e)
    40,435  
            294,938  
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $5,944,147)
    6,298,799  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS — 4.58%
       
  681  
The Allstate Corporation, 6.625%, Series E (f)
    17,678  
  650  
The Allstate Corporation, 6.250%, Series F (a)(d)
    16,803  
  2,600  
American Homes 4 Rent, 5.000%, Series B (d)
    63,986  
  2,700  
CommonWealth REIT, 7.250%, Series E (e)
    69,606  
  150  
HSBC USA, Inc., 2.858% (g)
    7,350  
  2,655  
HSBC Finance Corporation, 6.360%, Series B (d)
    67,384  
  61  
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust V, 5.750% (d)
    1,527  
  696  
SLM Corporation, 6.970%, Series A (e)
    33,707  
  2,600  
Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.900% (e)
    66,976  
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $332,879)
    345,017  
         
CLOSED-END FUNDS — 2.25% (d)
       
  5,564  
Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust
    83,961  
  1,048  
First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund
    22,595  
  2,772  
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II
    39,612  
  1,050  
Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund
    23,331  
     
TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS
       
     
  (Cost $164,737)
    169,499  
         
Principal Amount
       
         
CORPORATE BONDS — 1.37%
       
     
Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc.
       
$ 33,000  
  6.500%, 10/1/2017 (Acquired 5/27/14 through 5/28/14, cost $34,370) (b)(d)(h)
    33,907  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
18

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Principal Amount
 
Value
 
   
Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC
     
$ 37,000  
  10.000%, 12/1/2020 (Acquired 1/7/14, cost $39,493) (d)(h)(i)
  $ 39,498  
     
National Money Mart Company
       
  28,000  
  10.375%, 12/15/2016 (b)(d)
    29,575  
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
       
     
  (Cost $103,095)
    102,980  
         
Contracts (100 shares per contract)
       
         
PURCHASED CALL OPTIONS — 0.02% (d)
       
     
CBOE Volatility Index
       
  8  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    448  
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    240  
  10  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    1,050  
            1,738  
         
PURCHASED PUT OPTIONS — 0.32% (d)
       
     
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
       
  1  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    23  
  6  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    264  
     
Allergan, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    395  
     
Alstom SA
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 26.00 (j)
    238  
  6  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 26.00 (j)
    493  
     
American International Group, Inc.
       
  12  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
    84  
  9  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    72  
  7  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    73  
  11  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    242  
     
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
       
  14  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    210  
     
Ashland, Inc.
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    12  
     
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
       
  6  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $80.00
    660  
  1  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    217  
     
Barrick Gold Corporation
       
  5  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    1,175  
     
BP plc — ADR
       
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    12  
  4  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    30  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
19

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
CBS Corporation Class B
     
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
  $ 210  
  5  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    225  
  6  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    450  
     
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
       
  6  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    30  
     
Chemtura Corporation
       
  15  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    187  
  15  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    225  
     
Citigroup, Inc.
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $41.00
    20  
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $43.00
    40  
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    553  
     
CommonWealth REIT
       
  25  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    187  
     
DISH Network Corporation Class A
       
  15  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    1,275  
     
The Dow Chemical Company
       
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
    116  
  14  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    1,456  
     
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company
       
  21  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    74  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    54  
     
Endo International plc
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    50  
     
Ensco plc Class A
       
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    105  
     
Equinix, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $185.00
    315  
     
General Electric Company
       
  32  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    544  
     
General Motors Company
       
  17  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    340  
  6  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    312  
     
Halliburton Company
       
  3  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    3  
     
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    108  
     
Hess Corporation
       
  19  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $77.50
    114  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
20

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
The Hillshire Brands Company
     
  17  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
  $ 42  
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    18  
     
Huntsman Corporation
       
  11  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $22.00
    110  
  43  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $23.00
    430  
     
International Paper Company
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $40.00
    9  
  7  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $40.00
    105  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $41.00
    36  
     
Iron Mountain, Inc.
       
  16  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    40  
  7  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    35  
     
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
       
  20  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $80.00
    60  
  20  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    110  
  20  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $105.00
    440  
  20  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $110.00
    1,080  
     
Lamar Advertising Company Class A
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    75  
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    60  
     
Lorillard, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    8  
     
Mallinckrodt plc
       
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    10  
  12  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    90  
     
The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
       
  7  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    280  
     
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
       
  10  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    105  
  6  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $70.00
    90  
  1  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $72.50
    18  
     
Newmont Mining Corporation
       
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $23.00
    21  
     
Noble Corporation plc
       
  16  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    192  
  5  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    120  
  14  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    476  
     
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
       
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $82.50
    15  
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $85.00
    24  
  6  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    90  
  2  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    184  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
21

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Pfizer, Inc.
     
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
  $ 4  
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    16  
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    42  
     
QEP Resources, Inc.
       
  25  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    225  
  5  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
    63  
     
SLM Corporation
       
  28  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    42  
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    11  
  10  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    110  
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
       
  5  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $189.00
    535  
  4  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $190.00
    492  
  7  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $191.00
    973  
  6  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $160.00
    588  
  6  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $181.00
    1,950  
     
Sprint Corporation
       
  53  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $6.00
    133  
  25  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $7.00
    275  
     
The Timken Company
       
  5  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    137  
     
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $120.00
    60  
     
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.
       
  34  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    952  
     
Transocean, Ltd.
       
  9  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $38.00
    153  
     
Verizon Communications, Inc.
       
  1  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    14  
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    48  
  3  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    87  
     
Vodafone Group plc — ADR
       
  1  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    4  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    186  
     
Walgreen Company
       
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $60.00
    122  
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    362  
     
Weyerhaeuser Company
       
  17  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    128  
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    20  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
22

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)
           
Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
The Williams Companies, Inc.
     
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $38.00
  $ 8  
  3  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $39.00
    15  
     
Yahoo!, Inc.
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    12  
  12  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    384  
            23,717  
     
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
       
     
  (Cost $94,028)
    25,455  
Shares
           
         
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 10.11%
       
  475,000  
Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio,
       
     
  Institutional Share Class, 0.01% (c)(e)
    475,000  
  286,414  
The Liquid Asset Portfolio,
       
     
  Institutional Share Class, 0.06% (c)(e)
    286,414  
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $761,414)
    761,414  
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $7,400,300) — 102.26%
  $ 7,703,164  

ADR – American Depository Receipt
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR – Euro
plc – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Foreign security.
(c)
The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield as of June 30, 2014.
(d)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for open securities sold short.
(e)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for written option contracts.
(f)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for swap contracts.
(g)
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for forward currency exchange contracts.
(h)
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of June 30, 2014, these securities represented 0.97% of total net assets.
(i)
Default or other conditions exist and the security is not presently accruing income.
(j)
Level 2 Security. Please see Note 2 on the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
23

 
 
SCHEDULES OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

The Merger Fund
 
Shares
     
Value
 
  607,300  
Actavis plc (a)
  $ 135,458,265  
  65,211  
American Airlines Group, Inc.
    2,801,464  
  4,484,078  
Applied Materials, Inc.
    101,115,959  
  1,910,605  
AT&T, Inc.
    67,558,993  
  842,504  
Comcast Corporation Class A
    45,225,615  
  649,901  
Comcast Corporation Special Class A
    34,659,220  
  607,152  
Liberty Global plc Class A (a)
    26,848,261  
  744,518  
Liberty Global plc Series C (a)
    31,500,557  
  776,580  
M&T Bank Corporation
    96,334,749  
  170,901  
Mallinckrodt plc
    13,675,498  
  723,300  
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
    95,511,765  
  1,658,963  
Medtronic, Inc.
    105,775,481  
  85,814  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (a)
    10,822,862  
     
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT (Proceeds $693,207,103)
  $ 767,288,689  

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
 
Shares
 
 
  Value  
  900  
Actavis plc (a)
  $ 200,745  
  6,706  
Applied Materials, Inc.
    151,220  
  3,054  
AT&T, Inc.
    107,989  
  2,664  
CI Financial Corporation
    87,506  
  3,000  
Civeo Corporation
    75,090  
  961  
Comcast Corporation Class A
    51,587  
  647  
Comcast Corporation Special Class A
    34,505  
  200  
Equinix, Inc.
    42,018  
  861  
Liberty Global plc Class A (a)
    38,073  
  1,104  
Liberty Global plc Series C (a)
    46,710  
  500  
M&T Bank Corporation
    62,025  
  273  
Mallinckrodt plc (a)
    21,846  
  800  
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
    105,640  
  2,268  
Medtronic, Inc.
    144,608  
  1,500  
Oil States International, Inc.
    96,135  
  128  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (a)
    16,143  
     
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT (Proceeds $1,181,169)
  $ 1,281,840  

plc – Public Limited Company
(a)
Foreign security.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
24

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
       
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN
     
   
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
     
  829  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
  $ 298,440  
  8,833  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    4,372,335  
     
Allergan, Inc.
       
  4,690  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $155.00
    9,215,850  
  1,446  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $160.00
    2,299,140  
     
Alstom SA
       
  4,170  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 28.00 (a)
    62,809  
  2,769  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 29.00 (a)
    60,666  
  4,050  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 27.00 (a)
    537,929  
  8,081  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 28.00 (a)
    630,722  
     
American International Group, Inc.
       
  4,603  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    2,830,845  
  2,640  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    1,333,200  
  23,506  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    6,581,680  
     
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
       
  4,532  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    6,945,290  
  6,847  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $97.50
    9,140,745  
     
Ashland, Inc.
       
  2,592  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    3,561,408  
     
AT&T, Inc.
       
  1,956  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    466,506  
     
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
       
  5,297  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $90.00
    3,390,080  
  1,121  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    425,980  
     
BP plc — ADR
       
  2,133  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    1,017,441  
  2,713  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    813,900  
     
CBOE Volatility Index
       
  3,727  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $19.00
    55,905  
  1,865  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    27,975  
  5,035  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    25,175  
  8,394  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $22.00
    209,850  
     
CBS Corporation Class B
       
  2,856  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    2,213,400  
  8,212  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    4,927,200  
  4,504  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $60.00
    1,936,720  
     
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
       
  11,141  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    3,620,825  
     
Chemtura Corporation
       
  4,497  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    1,753,830  
  15,094  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    3,033,894  
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
25

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Comcast Corporation Special Class A
     
  378  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
  $ 321,300  
  2,837  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    1,914,975  
  2,732  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    1,584,560  
     
CommonWealth REIT
       
  1,997  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    289,565  
  22,543  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $27.50
    225,430  
     
CONSOL Energy, Inc.
       
  217  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $39.00
    153,419  
     
Corrections Corporation of America
       
  7,314  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    786,255  
     
DISH Network Corporation Class A
       
  9,135  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    8,952,300  
     
The Dow Chemical Company
       
  2,675  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    762,375  
  10,975  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    1,602,350  
     
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company
       
  13,087  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    1,354,504  
  1,713  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    385,425  
     
Endo International plc
       
  1,289  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    1,936,078  
     
Ensco plc Class A
       
  3,199  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    2,159,325  
  5,234  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    3,140,400  
     
Equinix, Inc.
       
  464  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $190.00
    1,030,080  
  843  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $195.00
    1,551,120  
  1,880  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $200.00
    2,857,600  
     
General Motors Company
       
  2,257  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $35.00
    514,596  
  6,313  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $36.00
    1,070,053  
  13,168  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
    1,566,992  
     
Halliburton Company
       
  337  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    539,537  
     
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
       
  2,020  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
    434,300  
     
Hess Corporation
       
  15,906  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    18,570,255  
     
The Hillshire Brands Company
       
  1,019  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    1,044,475  
  4,647  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    2,439,675  
  4,190  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    7,416,300  
  4,797  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    7,675,200  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
26

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Huntsman Corporation
     
  33,428  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
  $ 14,206,900  
  17,773  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    5,865,090  
  478  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    50,190  
     
International Paper Company
       
  2,180  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    1,199,000  
  3,320  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    1,850,900  
  12,279  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    5,801,827  
     
Iron Mountain, Inc.
       
  5,898  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    6,163,410  
  11,938  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $32.50
    4,178,300  
     
Koninklijke KPN NV
       
  44,856  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.70 (a)
    798,482  
  9,179  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.80 (a)
    125,688  
  12,191  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.60 (a)
    367,254  
  36,573  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.70 (a)
    851,346  
     
Lamar Advertising Company Class A
       
  7,582  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    3,070,710  
  23,816  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    7,478,224  
     
Liberty Global plc Class A
       
  668  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $72.50
    937,204  
     
Lorillard, Inc.
       
  1,867  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    1,129,535  
     
Mallinckrodt plc
       
  696  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    1,741,392  
  6,019  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    9,130,823  
     
The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
       
  3,436  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    936,310  
     
Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF
       
  2,744  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $20.50
    1,660,120  
     
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
       
  22  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $75.00
    36,520  
  15,708  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $77.50
    21,991,200  
  1,324  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $80.00
    1,568,940  
     
Navient Corporation
       
  1,492  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    100,710  
     
Newmont Mining Corporation
       
  10,220  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    817,600  
     
Noble Corporation plc
       
  3,171  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    1,498,298  
  25,879  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    6,003,928  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
27

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation
     
  13,727  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
  $ 4,804,450  
  24,371  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $15.00
    6,336,460  
  18,386  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $16.00
    3,217,550  
     
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
       
  8,846  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    7,519,100  
  2,014  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $97.50
    1,565,885  
     
Oil States International, Inc.
       
  523  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $100.00
    758,350  
     
Pfizer, Inc.
       
  5,206  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    78,090  
  6,023  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    18,069  
  3,690  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    686,340  
  5,496  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    599,064  
     
QEP Resources, Inc.
       
  28,721  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    11,201,190  
     
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.
       
  11,885  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $3.50
    178,275  
  158,979  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $3.50
    3,497,538  
     
SLM Corporation
       
  8,509  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    1,723,073  
  3,358  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    354,269  
  6,216  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    217,560  
  6,944  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    1,038,128  
  13,888  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    1,180,480  
     
Sprint Corporation
       
  85,113  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $8.00
    7,234,605  
     
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
       
  4,839  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $135.00
    5,976,165  
  2,141  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    1,659,275  
  1,398  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    1,384,020  
     
The Timken Company
       
  7,049  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $62.50
    4,581,850  
     
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.
       
  9,122  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
    3,762,825  
  20,362  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    6,923,080  
     
Transocean, Ltd.
       
  3,091  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $41.00
    1,360,040  
  467  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $44.00
    96,202  
     
Verizon Communications, Inc.
       
  1,320  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    254,760  
  1,957  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    227,991  
  1,098  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    68,076  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
28

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Vivendi SA
     
  29,446  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 19.00 (a)
  $ 645,132  
     
Vodafone Group plc — ADR
       
  15  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $34.00
    450  
  2,351  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
    11,755  
  1,873  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $35.00
    144,221  
  3,291  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
    125,058  
     
Walgreen Company
       
  4,877  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $70.00
    3,011,548  
     
Weyerhaeuser Company
       
  10,189  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    5,186,201  
  2,866  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    1,189,390  
     
The Williams Companies, Inc.
       
  10  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $42.00
    16,850  
  162  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $43.00
    249,075  
     
Yahoo!, Inc.
       
  5,465  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    1,803,450  
  6,630  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $36.00
    510,510  
            335,024,485  
 
PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN
   
CBOE Volatility Index
     
  1,863  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $12.00
    74,520  
  1,865  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    207,015  
  5,492  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    1,065,448  
  8,394  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    839,400  
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
       
  9,344  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $183.00
    499,904  
  2,803  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $184.00
    170,983  
  9,342  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $170.00
    1,625,508  
            4,482,778  
     
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
       
     
  (Premiums received $233,955,065)
  $ 339,507,263  

ADR – American Depository Receipt
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR – Euro
plc – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
(a)
Level 2 Security. Please see Note 2 on the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
29

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
       
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN
     
   
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
     
  1  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
  $ 360  
  6  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    2,970  
     
Allergan, Inc.
       
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $155.00
    13,755  
  2  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $160.00
    3,180  
     
Alstom SA
       
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 28.00 (a)
    105  
  6  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 29.00 (a)
    131  
  9  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 27.00 (a)
    1,195  
  18  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 28.00 (a)
    1,405  
     
American International Group, Inc.
       
  17  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    10,455  
  4  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    2,020  
  31  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    8,680  
     
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
       
  17  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    26,053  
     
Ashland, Inc.
       
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    6,870  
     
AT&T, Inc.
       
  3  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $33.00
    716  
     
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
       
  11  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $90.00
    7,040  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    760  
     
BP plc — ADR
       
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    1,698  
  5  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    1,500  
     
CBOE Volatility Index
       
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $19.00
    75  
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $20.00
    30  
  13  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $21.00
    65  
  11  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $22.00
    275  
     
CBS Corporation Class B
       
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    3,100  
  11  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    6,600  
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $60.00
    3,010  
     
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
       
  30  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    9,750  
     
Chemtura Corporation
       
  20  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $22.50
    7,800  
  19  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    3,819  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
30

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Citigroup, Inc.
     
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
  $ 918  
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    440  
  10  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    1,205  
     
Comcast Corporation Special Class A
       
  4  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    2,700  
  4  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    2,320  
     
CommonWealth REIT
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    580  
  39  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $27.50
    390  
     
DISH Network Corporation Class A
       
  16  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    15,680  
     
The Dow Chemical Company
       
  6  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    1,710  
  18  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    2,628  
     
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company
       
  27  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    2,794  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $65.00
    450  
     
Endo International plc
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    6,008  
     
Ensco plc Class A
       
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    2,700  
  8  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    4,800  
     
Equinix, Inc.
       
  4  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $200.00
    6,080  
     
General Electric Company
       
  32  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
    864  
     
General Motors Company
       
  17  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $35.00
    3,876  
  8  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $36.00
    1,356  
  39  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
    4,641  
     
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $27.00
    430  
     
Hess Corporation
       
  26  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $87.50
    30,355  
     
The Hillshire Brands Company
       
  1  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $52.50
    1,025  
  8  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $57.50
    4,200  
  6  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    10,620  
  6  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $47.00
    9,600  
     
Huntsman Corporation
       
  14  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    5,950  
  65  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    21,450  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
31

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
International Paper Company
     
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
  $ 3,850  
  3  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $45.00
    1,672  
  8  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $46.00
    3,780  
     
Iron Mountain, Inc.
       
  8  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    8,360  
  21  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $32.50
    7,350  
     
Koninklijke KPN NV
       
  61  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.60 (a)
    1,838  
  184  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 2.70 (a)
    4,283  
     
Lamar Advertising Company Class A
       
  58  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $50.00
    18,212  
     
Liberty Global plc Class A
       
  1  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $72.50
    1,403  
     
Lorillard, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $55.00
    1,210  
     
The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
       
  9  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    2,452  
     
Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF
       
  3  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $20.50
    1,815  
     
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
       
  20  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $77.50
    28,000  
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $80.00
    2,370  
     
Navient Corporation
       
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $17.50
    135  
     
Newmont Mining Corporation
       
  21  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    1,680  
     
Noble Corporation plc
       
  23  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    10,867  
  24  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
    5,568  
     
NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation
       
  18  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    6,300  
  55  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $15.00
    14,300  
  14  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $16.00
    2,450  
     
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
       
  12  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $95.00
    10,200  
  4  
  Expiration: November 2014, Exercise Price: $97.50
    3,110  
     
Oil States International, Inc.
       
  1  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $100.00
    1,450  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
32

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Pfizer, Inc.
     
  5  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $30.00
  $ 75  
  10  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    30  
  5  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $28.00
    930  
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    763  
     
QEP Resources, Inc.
       
  37  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    14,430  
     
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.
       
  53  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $3.50
    795  
  252  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $3.50
    5,544  
     
SLM Corporation
       
  28  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $23.00
    8,610  
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $24.00
    1,418  
  18  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    1,899  
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    70  
  4  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $25.00
    598  
  7  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $26.00
    595  
     
Sprint Corporation
       
  60  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $8.00
    5,100  
  30  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $9.00
    1,050  
     
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
       
  7  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $135.00
    8,645  
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    4,650  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $140.00
    1,980  
     
The Timken Company
       
  8  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $62.50
    5,200  
     
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.
       
  45  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $31.00
    15,300  
     
Transocean, Ltd.
       
  12  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $41.00
    5,280  
     
Verizon Communications, Inc.
       
  2  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $48.00
    233  
  4  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    248  
  7  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $49.00
    637  
     
Vivendi SA
       
  38  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: EUR 19.00 (a)
    833  
     
Vodafone Group plc — ADR
       
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $37.00
    10  
  2  
  Expiration: October 2014, Exercise Price: $35.00
    154  
     
Walgreen Company
       
  11  
  Expiration: September 2014, Exercise Price: $70.00
    6,793  
     
Weyerhaeuser Company
       
  4  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $29.00
    1,660  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
33

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF OPTIONS WRITTEN (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Contracts (100 shares per contract)
 
Value
 
   
Yahoo!, Inc.
     
  6  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $32.00
  $ 1,980  
  14  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $36.00
    1,078  
            508,430  
         
PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN
       
     
CBOE Volatility Index
       
  3  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $12.00
    120  
  2  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    222  
  14  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $14.00
    2,716  
  10  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $13.00
    1,000  
     
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
       
  39  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $92.50
    254  
  39  
  Expiration: July 2014, Exercise Price: $97.50
    273  
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
       
  12  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $183.00
    642  
  3  
  Expiration: August 2014, Exercise Price: $184.00
    183  
  12  
  Expiration: December 2014, Exercise Price: $170.00
    2,088  
            7,498  
     
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
       
     
  (Premiums received $384,747)
  $ 515,928  
               
ADR – American Depository Receipt
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR – Euro
plc – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
(a)
Level 2 Security. Please see Note 2 on the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
34

 
 
SCHEDULES OF FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS*
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

The Merger Fund
 
           
U.S.
           
U.S.
   
Unrealized
 
Settlement
 
Currency to
 
$ Value at
   
Currency to
 
$ Value at
   
Appreciation
 
Date
 
be Delivered
 
June 30, 2014
   
be Received
 
June 30, 2014
   
(Depreciation)**
 
8/20/14
    2,627,932   Australian Dollars   $ 2,468,588       2,417,697   U.S. Dollars   $ 2,417,697     $ (50,891 )
8/21/14
    10,485,213   Australian Dollars     9,848,797       9,736,269   U.S. Dollars     9,736,269       (112,528 )
9/24/14
    14,758,792   Australian Dollars     13,830,641       13,554,475   U.S. Dollars     13,554,475       (276,166 )
8/20/14
    831,510   Canadian Dollars     778,242       761,456   U.S. Dollars     761,456       (16,786 )
7/17/14
    30,621,059   Euros     41,932,358       41,691,019   U.S. Dollars     41,691,019       (241,339 )
7/23/14
    66,573,000   Euros     91,166,759       91,812,190   U.S. Dollars     91,812,190       645,431  
7/23/14
    2,200,304   U.S. Dollars     2,200,304       1,619,000   Euros     2,217,100       16,796  
9/26/14
    84,323,150   Euros     115,502,357       115,017,620   U.S. Dollars     115,017,620       (484,737 )
10/22/14
    15,853,782   Euros     21,718,243       21,633,781   U.S. Dollars     21,633,781       (84,462 )
8/20/14
    74,371,269   Hong Kong Dollars     9,591,816       9,590,848   U.S. Dollars     9,590,848       (968 )
              $ 309,038,105               $ 308,432,455     $ (605,650 )


WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
 
           
U.S.
           
U.S.
   
Unrealized
 
Settlement
 
Currency to
 
$ Value at
   
Currency to
 
$ Value at
   
Appreciation
 
Date
 
be Delivered
 
June 30, 2014
   
be Received
 
June 30, 2014
   
(Depreciation)**
 
7/16/14
    70,516   Australian Dollars   $ 66,409       65,058   U.S. Dollars   $ 65,058     $ (1,351 )
7/16/14
    65,727   U.S. Dollars     65,727       70,516   Australian Dollars     66,409       682  
8/21/14
    40,527   Australian Dollars     38,067       37,274   U.S. Dollars     37,274       (793 )
7/9/14
    49,402   Canadian Dollars     46,287       45,512   U.S. Dollars     45,512       (775 )
7/9/14
    45,151   U.S. Dollars     45,151       49,402   Canadian Dollars     46,287       1,136  
7/17/14
    64,095   Euros     87,771       87,254   U.S. Dollars     87,254       (517 )
7/23/14
    141,400   Euros     193,637       195,136   U.S. Dollars     195,136       1,499  
7/23/14
    4,757   U.S. Dollars     4,757       3,500   Euros     4,793       36  
9/26/14
    138,750   Euros     190,054       189,256   U.S. Dollars     189,256       (798 )
10/22/14
    22,737   Euros     31,147       31,000   U.S. Dollars     31,000       (147 )
8/20/14
    88,001   Hong Kong Dollars     11,350       11,349   U.S. Dollars     11,349       (1 )
7/9/14
    107,600   Japanese Yen     1,062       1,059   U.S. Dollars     1,059       (3 )
              $ 781,419               $ 780,387     $ (1,032 )

*
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc. is the counterparty for all open forward currency exchange contracts held by the Fund as of June 30, 2014.
**
Unrealized appreciation is a receivable and unrealized depreciation is a payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
35

 
 
The Merger Fund
SCHEDULE OF SWAP CONTRACTS
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

                   
Unrealized
   
Termination
                 
Appreciation
   
Date
 
Security
 
Shares
   
Notional
   
(Depreciation)*
 
        Counterparty
LONG TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
4/30/15
 
Alstom SA
    2,310,000     $ 84,217,102     $ (9,373,487 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
3/26/15
 
Endo International plc
    1       70       17  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
7/3/14
 
GrainCorp, Ltd.
    1,742,832       13,804,606       (919,452 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
10/18/14
 
Hillgrove Resources, Ltd.
    13,139,699       978,776       (25,623 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
12/19/14
 
Koninklijke KPN NV
    11,437,680       41,675,589       822,502  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
6/4/15
 
SAI Global, Ltd.
    1,941,706       9,356,072       134,300  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
8/20/14
 
Vivendi SA
    4,240,900       103,772,279       (7,134,539 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/28/15
 
Ziggo NV (a)
    1,441,253       66,737,912       3,466,873  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
                               
SHORT TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
3/26/15
 
AMEC plc
    (454,299 )     (9,446,421 )     (1,048,517 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
                        $ (14,077,926 )  

plc – Public Limited Company
*
Based on the net value of each counterparty, unrealized appreciation is a receivable and unrealized depreciation is a payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(a)
Security fair valued by the Adviser in good faith in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
36

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
SCHEDULE OF SWAP CONTRACTS
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

                   
Unrealized
   
Termination
                 
Appreciation
   
Date
 
Security
 
Shares
   
Notional
   
(Depreciation)*
 
        Counterparty
LONG TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
4/30/15
 
Alstom SA
    4,900     $ 178,642     $ (20,099 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/10/15
 
Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc.
    2,996       50,093       3,368  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
5/5/15
 
CBS Corporation Class B
    1,700       105,638       6,930  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/17/15
 
Chemtura Corporation
    1,900       49,647       80  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
6/2/15
 
Civeo Corporation
    3,200       80,096       13,559  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/15/15
 
Equinix, Inc.
    500       105,045       15,244  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
3/14/15
 
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
    2,440       241,560       8,396  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
1/13/15
 
General Motors Company
    2,600       94,380       (10,437 )
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/14/15
 
Hess Corporation
    2,600       257,114       48,178  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
6/11/15
 
Huntsman Corporation
    7,900       221,990       (3,184 )
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
5/30/15
 
Iron Mountain, Inc.
    2,900       102,805       12,508  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/3/15
 
Koninklijke KPN NV
    24,500       89,271       3,334  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/15/15
 
Lamar Advertising Company Class A
    1,800       95,400       3,994  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/10/15
 
Noble Corporation plc
    2,200       73,832       (6,638 )
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
6/2/15
 
Oil States International, Inc.
    1,600       102,544       13,876  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
5/28/15
 
PetroLogistics LP
    4,967       71,326       364  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/24/15
 
Pfizer, Inc.
    3,600       106,848       (6,996 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/13/15
 
QEP Resources, Inc.
    2,300       79,350       10,972  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
5/27/15
 
SAI Global, Ltd.
    7,505       36,163       893  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/13/15
 
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    700       103,110       10,334  
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/3/15
 
Toko, Inc.
    269       815       (213 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/16/15
 
Vivendi SA
    7,100       173,733       (14,831 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
1/28/15
 
Ziggo NV (a)
    2,067       95,713       5,363  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
                               
SHORT TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
5/19/15
 
Actavis plc
    (125 )     (27,881 )     (1,866 )
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
3/20/15
 
AMEC plc
    (1,460 )     (30,358 )     (3,674 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
                        $ 89,455    
 
plc – Public Limited Company
*
Based on the net value of each counterparty, unrealized appreciation is a receivable and unrealized depreciation is a payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(a)
Security fair valued by the Adviser in good faith in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
37

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

         
WCM Alternatives:
 
   
The Merger Fund
   
Event-Driven Fund
 
ASSETS:
           
Investments, at value (Cost $5,531,536,736 and $7,400,300, respectively)
  $ 5,941,087,980     $ 7,703,164  
Cash
    1,272        
Cash held in foreign currency (Cost $145)
          145  
Receivable from brokers
    693,207,103       1,181,169  
Deposits at brokers
    41,957,261       143,880  
Receivable for investments sold
    123,664,478       321,234  
Receivable for forward currency exchange contracts
    662,227       3,353  
Receivable for swap contracts
          89,455  
Receivable for fund shares issued
    15,464,859        
Receivable from investment adviser
          41,590  
Dividends and interest receivable
    9,978,336       11,091  
Swap dividends receivable
    9,396,196       17,624  
Prepaid expenses and other receivables
    232,839       77,000  
Total Assets
    6,835,652,551       9,589,705  
LIABILITIES:
               
Securities sold short, at value
               
  (proceeds of $693,207,103 and $1,181,169, respectively)
    767,288,689       1,281,840  
Written option contracts, at value
               
  (premiums received $233,955,065 and $384,747, respectively)
    339,507,263       515,928  
Payable to the investment adviser
    3,896,278        
Payable for forward currency exchange contracts
    1,267,877       4,385  
Payable for swap contracts
    14,077,926        
Payable for investments purchased
    122,978,372       205,234  
Payable for fund shares redeemed
    4,239,786        
Distribution fees payable
    2,112,097        
Dividends payable
    1,617,125       1,319  
Swap dividends payable
    217,609       699  
Payable to independent trustees
    5,140        
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    1,504,965       47,561  
Total Liabilities
    1,258,713,127       2,056,966  
NET ASSETS
  $ 5,576,939,424     $ 7,532,739  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
38

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

         
WCM Alternatives:
 
   
The Merger Fund
   
Event-Driven Fund
 
NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:
           
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
  $ 111,563,877     $ 93,475  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, securities sold short,
               
  written option contracts expired or closed, swap contracts, foreign currency
               
  translation and forward currency exchange contracts
    (153,270,439 )     53,910  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
               
Investments
    409,551,244       302,864  
Securities sold short
    (74,081,586 )     (100,671 )
Written option contracts
    (105,552,198 )     (131,181 )
Swap contracts
    (14,077,926 )     89,455  
Forward currency exchange contracts
    (605,650 )     (1,032 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    215,233,884       159,435  
Paid-in capital
    5,403,412,102       7,225,919  
Total Net Assets
  $ 5,576,939,424     $ 7,532,739  
Investor Class
               
Net assets
  $ 5,270,549,383       N/A  
Shares outstanding
    319,945,836       N/A  
Net asset value and offering price per share*
  $ 16.47       N/A  
                 
Institutional Class
               
Net assets
  $ 306,390,041     $ 7,532,739  
Shares outstanding
    18,627,328       716,552  
Net asset value and offering price per share*
  $ 16.45     $ 10.51  

*
The redemption price per share may vary based on the length of time a shareholder holds Fund shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
39

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

         
WCM Alternatives:
 
   
The Merger Fund
   
Event-Driven Fund^
 
INVESTMENT INCOME:
           
Interest
  $ 6,397,114     $ 2,341  
Dividend income on long positions (net of foreign withholding
               
  taxes of $57,767 and $87, respectively)
    143,141,394       153,480  
Total investment income
    149,538,508       155,821  
EXPENSES:
               
Investment advisory fees
    26,037,781       36,278  
Distribution fees (Investor Class)
    4,252,880        
Sub transfer agent fees (Investor Class)
    2,466,639        
Sub transfer agent fees (Institutional Class)
    107,019       1,615  
Administration fees
    793,851       901  
Transfer agent and shareholder servicing agent fees
    362,868       9,382  
Reports to shareholders
    333,460       5,352  
Professional fees
    333,065       56,346  
Fund accounting expense
    219,166       10,384  
Custody fees
    200,046       13,516  
Federal and state registration fees
    146,952       1,545  
Trustees’ fees and expenses
    138,685       7,450  
Miscellaneous expenses
    124,778       3,337  
Organizational expenses
          128,249  
Deferred expenses
          67,381  
Borrowing expense on securities sold short
    1,502,518       7,687  
Dividends on securities sold short
    3,593,841       4,161  
Total expenses before expense waiver by adviser
    40,613,549       353,584  
Less: Expense reimbursed by Adviser
    (3,534,103 )     (291,238 )
Net expenses
    37,079,446       62,346  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
    112,459,062       93,475  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
               
Realized gain (loss) on:
               
Investments
    2,289,273       (6,083 )
Securities sold short
    (2,028,598 )     6,016  
Written option contracts expired or closed
    (14,059,989 )     (11,284 )
Swap contracts
    13,173,623       63,176  
Foreign currency translation
    (41,401 )     (15 )
Forward currency exchange contracts
    (10,367,393 )     2,100  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (11,034,485 )     53,910  
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
               
Investments
    119,128,462       302,864  
Securities sold short
    (36,710,518 )     (100,671 )
Written option contracts
    (35,475,774 )     (131,181 )
Swap contracts
    (6,105,629 )     89,455  
Foreign currency translation
    (237 )      
Forward currency exchange contracts
    10,166,845       (1,032 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    51,003,149       159,435  
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
    39,968,664       213,345  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
  $ 152,427,726     $ 306,820  
 
^
Commencement of operations January 2, 2014.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
40

 

The Merger Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
Six Months Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
June 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Net investment income
  $ 112,459,062     $ 10,208,898  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, securities sold short,
               
  written option contracts expired or closed, swap contracts,
               
  foreign currency translation and forward currency exchange contracts
    (11,034,485 )     54,708,515  
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments, securities
               
  sold short, written option contracts, swap contracts, foreign
               
  currency translation and forward currency exchange contracts
    51,003,149       104,413,773  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    152,427,726       169,331,186  
                 
Investor Class — Distributions to shareholders from: (Note 5)
               
Net investment income
          (92,012,011 )
Net realized gains
          (23,510,808 )
Total dividends and distributions — Investor Class
          (115,522,819 )
                 
Institutional Class — Distributions to shareholders from: (Note 5)
               
Net investment income
          (3,843,231 )
Net realized gains
          (865,809 )
Total dividends and distributions — Institutional Class
          (4,709,040 )
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 4)
    409,342,394       550,380,118  
Net increase in net assets
    561,770,120       599,479,445  
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of period
    5,015,169,304       4,415,689,859  
End of period (including accumulated undistributed net investment
               
  income (loss) of $111,563,877 and $(895,185), respectively)
  $ 5,576,939,424     $ 5,015,169,304  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
41

 
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
For the Period from
 
   
January 2, 2014^
 
   
through
 
   
June 30, 2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
       
Net investment income
  $ 93,475  
Net realized gain on investments, securities sold short,
       
  written option contracts expired or closed, swap contracts,
       
  foreign currency translation and forward currency exchange contracts
    53,910  
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments, securities
       
  sold short, written option contracts, swap contracts, foreign
       
  currency translation and forward currency exchange contracts
    159,435  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    306,820  
         
Institutional Class — Distributions to shareholders from: (Note 5)
       
Total dividends and distributions — Institutional Class
     
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 4)
    7,225,919  
Net increase in net assets
    7,532,739  
         
NET ASSETS:
       
Beginning of period
     
End of period (including accumulated undistributed net investment
       
  income of $93,475)
  $ 7,532,739  

^
Commencement of operations January 2, 2014.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
42

 
 
The Merger Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected per share data is based on a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period.

Institutional Class
         
For the Period from
 
   
Six Months
   
August 1, 2013^
 
   
Ended
   
through
 
   
June 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Per Share Data:
           
Net Asset Value, beginning of period
  $ 15.97     $ 16.06  
                 
Income from investment operations:
               
Net investment income(1)(2)
    0.36       0.03  
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
    0.12       0.31  
Total from investment operations
    0.48       0.34  
                 
Less distributions:
               
From net investment income
          (0.35 )
From net realized gains
          (0.08 )
Total dividends and distributions
          (0.43 )
Net Asset Value, end of period
  $ 16.45     $ 15.97  
                 
Total Return
    2.94 %(3)     2.20 %(3)
Supplemental data and ratios:
               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 306,390     $ 172,247  
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets:
               
    Before expense waiver
    1.41 %(4)     1.32 %(4)
    After expense waiver
    1.27 %(4)     1.19 %(4)
Ratio of dividends and borrowing expense
               
  on securities sold short to average net assets
    0.20 %(4)     0.19 %(4)
Ratio of operating expense to average
               
  net assets excluding dividends and
               
  borrowing expense on securities sold short
    1.07 %(4)     1.00 %(4)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
               
    Before expense waiver
    4.34 %(4)     0.29 %(4)
    After expense waiver
    4.48 %(4)     0.42 %(4)
Portfolio turnover rate(5)
    62.49 %(3)     194.47 %(3)

(1) 
Net investment income before dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the period ended December 31, 2013 was $0.37 and $0.04, respectively.
(2)
Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(3)
Not annualized.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
The numerator for the portfolio turnover rate includes the lesser of purchases or sales (excluding short positions). The denominator includes the average long positions throughout the period for the Fund as a whole.
^
Commencement of operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
43

 
 
The Merger Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected per share data is based on a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period.

Investor Class
   
Six Months
   
 
         
Three Months
       
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
    Year Ended  
   
June 30,
    December 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
      2011*       2011       2010(1)       2009(1)  
   
(Unaudited)
                                             
Per Share Data:
                                                 
Net Asset Value,
                                                 
  beginning of period
  $ 16.01     $ 15.83     $ 15.59     $ 15.59     $ 15.93     $ 15.26     $ 14.79  
Income from
                                                       
  investment operations:
                                                       
Net investment income (loss)(2)
    0.35 (3)     0.04 (3)     (0.05 )(3)     (0.02 )(3)     (0.18 )(3)     (0.02 )(4)     0.24 (4)
Net realized and unrealized
                                                       
  gain on investments
    0.11       0.53       0.61       0.47       0.13       0.69       0.58  
Total from
                                                       
  investment operations
    0.46       0.57       0.56       0.45       (0.05 )     0.67       0.82  
Redemption fees
                0.00 (5)     0.00 (5)     0.00 (5)     0.00 (5)     0.00 (5)
                                                         
Less distributions:
                                                       
From net investment income
          (0.31 )     (0.26 )     (0.08 )           (0.00 )(5)     (0.06 )
From net realized gains
          0.08       (0.06 )     (0.37 )     (0.29 )           (0.05 )
From return of capital
                                        (0.24 )
Total dividends
                                                       
  and distributions
          (0.39 )     (0.32 )     (0.45 )     (0.29 )     (0.00 )(5)     (0.35 )
Net Asset Value,
                                                       
  end of period
  $ 16.47     $ 16.01     $ 15.83     $ 15.59     $ 15.59     $ 15.93     $ 15.26  
                                                         
Total Return
    2.87 %(6)     3.61 %     3.61 %     2.90 %(6)     (0.34 )%     4.39 %     5.78 %
                                                         

Footnotes To Financial Highlights On Following Page

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
44

 
 
The Merger Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

Investor Class
   
Six Months
   
 
   
 
   
Three Months
                   
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
    Year Ended  
   
June 30,
    December 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
      2011*       2011       2010(1)       2009(1)  
   
(Unaudited)
                                             
Supplemental data and ratios:
                                                 
Net assets, end of
                                                 
  period (in millions)
  $ 5,271     $ 4,843     $ 4,416     $ 5,027     $ 4,914     $ 3,574     $ 1,811  
Ratio of gross expenses
                                                       
  to average net assets:
                                                       
    Before expense waiver
    1.57 %(7)     1.61 %     1.82 %     1.77 %(7)     2.08 %     2.64 %     4.22 %
    After expense waiver
    1.43 %(7)     1.48 %     1.69 %     1.64 %(7)     1.96 %     2.57 %     4.22 %
Ratio of dividends and
                                                       
  borrowing expense on
                                                       
  securities sold short
                                                       
  to average net assets
    0.20 %(7)     0.22 %     0.42 %     0.31 %(7)     0.62 %     1.16 %     2.68 %
Ratio of operating expense
                                                       
  to average net assets
                                                       
  excluding dividends and
                                                       
  borrowing expense
                                                       
  on securities sold short
    1.23 %(7)     1.26 %     1.27 %     1.33 %(7)     1.34 %     1.41 %     1.54 %
Ratio of net investment income
                                                       
  (loss) to average net assets:
                                                       
    Before expense waiver
    4.18 %(7)     0.09 %     (0.47 )%     (0.72 )%(7)     (1.25 )%     (1.35 )%     (2.49 )%
    After expense waiver
    4.32 %(7)     0.22 %     (0.34 )%     (0.59 )%(7)     (1.13 )%     (1.28 )%     (2.49 )%
Portfolio turnover rate(8)
    62.49 %(6)     194.47 %     240.32 %     48.13 %(6)     292.79 %     192.21 %     318.45 %

(1)
Performance data included for periods prior to 2011 reflect that of Westchester Capital Management, Inc. the Fund’s prior investment adviser. See Note 1 for additional information.
(2)
Net investment income (loss) before dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short for the six months ended June 30, 2014, years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, the three months ended December 31, 2011 and the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.36, $0.07, $0.01, $(0.01), $(0.08), $0.12 and $0.55, respectively.
(3)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(4)
Net investment income (loss) per share is calculated using ending balance after consideration of adjustments for permanent book and tax differences.
(5)
Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
(6)
Not annualized.
(7)
Annualized.
(8)
The numerator for the portfolio turnover rate includes the lesser of purchases or sales (excluding short positions).  The denominator includes the average long positions throughout the period.
*
Stub period from October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
45

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected per share data is based on a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period.

Institutional Class
   
For the Period from
 
   
January 2, 2014^
 
   
through
 
   
June 30, 2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Per Share Data:
     
Net Asset Value, beginning of period
  $ 10.00  
         
Income from investment operations:
       
Net investment income(1)(2)
    0.16  
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
    0.35  
Total from investment operations
    0.51  
Net Asset Value, end of period
  $ 10.51  
         
Total Return
    5.10 %(4)
Supplemental data and ratios:
       
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 7,533  
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets:
       
    Before expense waiver
    12.18 %(5)
    After expense waiver
    2.15 %(5)
Ratio of dividends and borrowing expense on
       
  securities sold short to average net assets
    0.41 %(5)
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding
       
  dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short
    1.74 %(5)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
       
    Before expense waiver
    (6.81 )%(5)
    After expense waiver
    3.22 %(5)
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
    92.49 %(4)

(1)
Net investment income before dividends and borrowing expense on securities sold short for the period ended June 30, 2014 was $0.18.
(2)
Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(3)
The numerator for the portfolio turnover rate includes the lesser of purchases or sales (excluding short positions). The denominator includes the average long positions throughout the period for the Fund as a whole.
(4)
Not annualized.
(5)
Annualized.
^
Commencement of operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
46

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 1 — ORGANIZATION
The Merger Fund (“TMF”) is a no-load, open-end, diversified investment company organized as a trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on April 12, 1982, and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). TMF was formerly known as the Risk Portfolio of The Ayco Fund. In January of 1989, TMF’s fundamental investment policies were amended to permit TMF to engage in merger arbitrage. At the same time, Westchester Capital Management, Inc. became TMF’s investment adviser, and TMF began to do business as The Merger Fund. In a transaction that closed on December 31, 2010, Westchester Capital Management, Inc. transferred substantially all of its business and assets to Westchester Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), which became TMF’s investment adviser. Therefore, the performance information included herein for periods prior to 2011 reflect the performance of Westchester Capital Management, Inc. Roy Behren and Michael Shannon, TMF’s current portfolio managers, have served as co-portfolio managers of TMF since January 2007. The Investor Class inception date was January 31, 1989, and the Institutional Class inception date was August 1, 2013. The investment objective of TMF is to seek to achieve capital growth by engaging in merger arbitrage. Merger arbitrage is a highly specialized investment approach generally designed to profit from the successful completion of publicly announced mergers, takeovers, tender offers, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations and other corporate reorganizations.
 
Westchester Capital Funds (“WCF”) is an open-end series management investment company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 20, 2013, and registered under the 1940 Act. WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund (“EDF”), a series of WCF, is a no-load, open-end, non-diversified investment company with two classes of shares, Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares. The Institutional Class inception date was January 2, 2014. Investor Class shares have not yet commenced operations. The investment objective of EDF is to seek to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns with low relative volatility in virtually all market environments. Risk-adjusted return is a concept that considers not only an investment’s return, but also the amount of potential risk involved in producing that return.
 
Each class of shares of TMF and EDF (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) has different eligibility and minimum investment requirements. The underlying assets attributable to a class of a Fund are charged with the expenses attributable to that class of the Fund and with a share of the general expenses of the Fund. Any general expenses of a Fund that are not readily identifiable as belonging  to a particular class of the Fund are allocated by or under the direction of the Boards of Trustees of the Funds (the “Board of Trustees” or “Trustees”) in such manner as the Trustees determine. Shares of classes may have different voting rights, such as (i) when required by the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (ii) when the Trustees determine that such a matter affects only the interests of a particular class. Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights. The Institutional Class shares do not have a distribution fee. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments of a Fund allocated to each class of a Fund based on its relative net assets.
 
 
47

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, the Funds have evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were available to be issued. The presentation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A.
Investment Valuation
The following is a summary of the Funds’ pricing procedures. It is intended to be a general discussion and may not necessarily reflect all pricing procedures followed by the Funds.
 
Securities listed on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Investments in registered open-end investment companies other than exchange-traded funds are valued at their reported net asset value (“NAV”). Equity securities that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of that exchange. The securities valued using quoted prices in active markets are classified as Level 1 investments. Securities not listed on an exchange, but for which market transaction prices are reported, are valued at the last sale price as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such a security does not trade on a particular day, then the mean between the closing bid and asked prices will be used. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments. In pricing corporate bonds and other debt securities that are not obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies, the mean of the bid and asked prices provided by a third party is used. These are classified as Level 2 investments. As a secondary source, an individual broker bid may be used to value debt securities if the Adviser reasonably believes such bid is an actionable bid in that the broker would be willing to transact at that price. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 investments.
 
Exchange-traded options are valued at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., what a Fund would pay or can receive upon the option being exercised) or the last reported composite sale price. If no sales are reported or if the last sale is outside the bid and asked parameters, the higher of the intrinsic value of the option or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices is used. Non-exchange-traded options will be valued at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option or at the price supplied by the counterparty. Options for which there is an active market are classified as Level 1 investments, but options not listed on an exchange are classified as Level 2 investments. Investments in United States government securities (other than short-term securities) are valued at the mean between the 4:00 PM bid and asked prices supplied by a third party vendor. Short-term fixed-income securities having a maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost.
 
Securities for which there are no market quotations readily available or for which such quotations are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees and under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The factors for fair

 
48

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
valuation the Adviser may consider include, among other things: fundamental analytical data; the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition; an evaluation of forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold; public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by each Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or 3 depending on the inputs as described below. At June 30, 2014, securities fair valued in good faith based on the absolute value of long investments and on the absolute value of unrealized gains or losses on swap contracts represented 0.11% of net assets for TMF and 0.07% for EDF.
 
The Funds have performed analyses of all existing investments to determine the significance and character of all inputs to their fair value determination. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
 
Level 1 —
Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
     
 
Level 2 —
Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
     
 
Level 3 —
Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Fund’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following tables provide the fair value measurements of applicable Fund assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy for the Fund as of June 30, 2014. These assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis.
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
The Merger Fund
                       
Assets
                       
Common Stocks*
  $ 4,909,873,005     $     $     $ 4,909,873,005  
Contingent Value Rights
                194,247       194,247  
Warrants
    3,342                   3,342  
Corporate Bonds
          195,708,197             195,708,197  
Municipal Bonds
          6,004,884             6,004,884  
Purchased Option Contracts
    15,471,684       359,968             15,831,652  
Escrow Notes
                2,300,301       2,300,301  
Short-Term Investments
    811,172,352                   811,172,352  
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts**
          662,227             662,227  
Liabilities
                               
Common Stocks Sold Short
  $ 767,288,689     $     $     $ 767,288,689  
Written Option Contracts
    335,427,235       4,080,028             339,507,263  
Swap Contracts**
          14,077,926             14,077,926  
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts**
          1,267,877             1,267,877  

 
49

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
                       
Assets
                       
Common Stocks*
  $ 6,298,799     $     $     $ 6,298,799  
Preferred Stocks
    345,017                   345,017  
Closed-End Funds
    169,499                   169,499  
Corporate Bonds
          102,980             102,980  
Purchased Option Contracts
    24,724       731             25,455  
Short-Term Investments
    761,414                   761,414  
Swap Contracts**
          89,455             89,455  
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts**
          3,353             3,353  
Liabilities
                               
Common Stocks Sold Short
  $ 1,281,840     $     $     $ 1,281,840  
Written Option Contracts
    506,138       9,790             515,928  
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts**
          4,385             4,385  
 
*
Please refer to the Schedules of Investments to view common stocks segregated by industry type.
**
Swap contracts and forward currency exchange contracts are valued at the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.
 
The Level 2 securities are priced using inputs such as current yields, discount rates, credit quality, yields on comparable securities, trading volume, maturity date, market bid and ask prices, prices on comparable securities and other significant inputs.  The Funds did not have transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the period. EDF did not hold any Level 3 securities at the end of the period.
 
Level 3 Reconciliation Disclosure
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
 
The Merger Fund
Description
 
Investments
 
Balance as of December 31, 2013
  $ 19,482,377  
    Change in unrealized depreciation
    (5,115,781 )
    Purchases
    194,247  
    Sales
    (12,066,295 )
Balance as of June 30, 2014
  $ 2,494,548  
 
Significant unobservable valuation inputs developed by the Board of Trustees for material Level 3 investments as of June 30, 2014, are as follows:
 
 
Fair Value at
Valuation
Unobservable
 
Description
June 30, 2014
Technique
Input
Range
Escrow Notes
$2,300,301
Broker Quote
No Active Market
1.80 – 1.90
Escrow Notes
$—
Projected Final Distribution(1)
Final Distribution
0.00
Contingent Value Rights
$194,247
Broker Quote
No Active Market
2.40 – 2.60
 
 
(1)
This Level 3 security was received through a corporate action and is being priced at an estimate of the expected final distribution.
 
 
50

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
B.
Securities Sold Short
The Funds may sell securities or currencies short for economic hedging purposes or any other investment purpose. For financial statement purposes, an amount equal to the settlement amount is initially included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently priced to reflect the current value of the short position. Subsequent fluctuations in the market prices of securities or currencies sold, but not yet purchased, may require purchasing the securities or currencies at prices which may differ from the market value reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Short sale transactions result in off balance sheet risk because the ultimate obligation may exceed the related amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds will incur losses if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Funds purchase the securities to replace the borrowed securities. The Funds’ losses on short sales are potentially unlimited because there is no upward limit on the price a borrowed security could attain.
 
The Funds are liable for any dividends payable on securities while those securities are sold short. Until the security is replaced, the Funds are required to pay to the lender any income earned, which is recorded as an expense by the Funds. The Funds generally segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the market value of securities sold short. These assets are required to be adjusted daily to reflect changes in the value of the securities or currencies sold short.
 
C. 
Transactions with Brokers for Securities Sold Short
The Funds’ receivables from brokers for proceeds on securities sold short and deposits at brokers for securities sold short are with two securities dealers. The Funds do not require the brokers to maintain collateral in support of the receivable from the brokers for proceeds on securities sold short. The Funds are required by the brokers to maintain collateral at the brokers for securities sold short. The receivable from brokers on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities represents the collateral for securities sold short. The Funds maintain cash deposits at brokers beyond the receivable for short sales. These cash deposits are presented as deposits at brokers on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These transactions may involve market risk in excess of the amount of receivable or payable reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
D. 
Federal Income Taxes
No provision for federal income taxes has been made since the Funds have complied to date with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and intends to continue to so comply in future years and to distribute investment company net taxable income and net capital gains to shareholders. Additionally, the Funds intend to make all required distributions to avoid federal excise tax.
 
The Funds have reviewed all open tax years in major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no impact on the Funds’ net assets and there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next six months. As of
 
 
51

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
June 30, 2014, TMF’s open Federal and New York tax years include the tax years ended September 30, 2010 through December 31, 2013. The Funds have no tax examination in progress.
 
E. 
Written Option Contracts
The Funds are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Funds write (sell) call options, including to hedge portfolio investments. Uncovered put options can also be written by the Funds as part of a merger arbitrage strategy involving a pending corporate reorganization or for other investment purposes. When a Fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently priced daily to reflect the current value of the option written. By writing an option, a Fund may become obligated during the term of the option to deliver or purchase the securities underlying the option at the exercise price if the option is exercised. Exchange-traded written option contracts are valued at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., what a Fund would pay upon the option being exercised) or the last reported composite sale price.  If no sale is reported or if the last sale is outside the bid and asked parameters, the higher of the intrinsic value of the option or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices will be used.  When an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or the Funds enter into a closing purchase transaction, the Funds realize gains or losses if the cost of the closing purchase transaction differs from the premium received when the option was sold without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is eliminated. When an option is exercised, the premium originally received decreases the cost basis of the security (or increases the proceeds on a sale of the security), and the Funds realize gains or losses from the sale of the underlying security. Written option contracts sold on an exchange typically involve less credit risk than over-the-counter options. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the amount of receivable or payable reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Refer to Note 2 Q. for further derivative disclosures.
 
F. 
Purchased Option Contracts
The Funds are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Funds purchase put or call options for hedging purposes, volatility management purposes, or otherwise to gain, or reduce, long or short exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. Premiums paid for option contracts purchased are included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset. Exchange-traded purchased option contracts are valued daily at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., what a Fund can receive upon exercising the option) or the last reported composite sale price. If no sale is reported or if the last sale is outside the bid and asked parameters, the option contract purchased is valued at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices on the day of valuation. When option contracts expire or are closed, realized gains or losses are recognized without regard to any unrealized gains or losses on the underlying securities that may be held by the Funds. Purchased options sold on an exchange typically include less credit risk than over-the-counter options. Refer to Note 2 Q. for further derivative disclosures.
 

 
52

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
G. 
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
The Funds are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Funds may use forward currency exchange contracts to hedge against changes in the value of foreign currencies. The Funds may enter into forward currency exchange contracts obligating the Funds to deliver and receive a currency at a specified future date. Forward contracts are valued daily, and unrealized appreciation or depreciation is recorded daily as the difference between the contract exchange rate and the closing forward rate applied to the face amount of the contract. A realized gain or loss is recorded at the time the forward contract expires. Credit risk may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the contract. The Funds consider the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a contract in evaluating potential credit risk quarterly. The counterparty risk to the Funds includes the amount of any net unrealized gain on the contract.
 
The use of forward currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Funds’ investment securities. The use of forward currency exchange contracts involves the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted. A forward currency exchange contract would limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a particular currency; however it would also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase instead of decrease. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the amount of receivable or payable reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Refer to Note 2 Q. for further derivative disclosures.
 
H. 
Equity Swap Contracts
The Funds are subject to equity price risk and interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Funds may enter into both long and short equity swap contracts with multiple broker-dealers. A long equity swap contract entitles the Funds to receive from the counterparty any appreciation and dividends paid on an individual security, while obligating the Funds to pay the counterparty any depreciation on the security as well as interest on the notional amount of the contract at a rate equal to LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread (generally between 25 to 100 basis points). A short equity swap contract obligates the Funds to pay the counterparty any appreciation and dividends paid on an individual security, while entitling the Funds to receive from the counterparty any depreciation on the security, and to pay to or receive from the counterparty interest on the notional value of the contract at a rate equal to LIBOR less an agreed upon spread (generally between 25 to 100 basis points).
 
The Funds may also enter into equity swap contracts whose value may be determined by the spread between a long equity position and a short equity position. This type of swap contract obligates the Funds to pay the counterparty an amount tied to any increase in the spread between the two securities over the term of the contract. The Funds are also obligated to pay the counterparty any dividends paid on the short equity holding as well as any net financing costs. This type of swap contract entitles the Funds to receive from the counterparty any gains based on a decrease in the spread as well as any dividends paid on the long equity holding and any net interest income.
 

 
53

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Fluctuations in the value of an open contract are recorded daily as a net unrealized gain or loss. The Funds will realize gains or losses upon termination or reset of the contract. Either party, under certain conditions, may terminate the contract prior to the contract’s expiration date.
 
Credit risk may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the contract. The Funds consider the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a contract in evaluating potential credit risk quarterly. The counterparty risk to the Funds includes the risk of loss of the full amount of any net unrealized gain on the contract, along with dividends receivable on long equity contracts and interest receivable on short equity contracts. Additionally, risk may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the amount of receivable or payable reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Refer to Note 2 Q. for further derivative disclosures.
 
I. 
Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These differences are due primarily to wash sale-loss deferrals, constructive sales, straddle-loss deferrals, adjustments on swap contracts, and unrealized gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts, which were realized, for tax purposes, at December 31, 2013.
 
J. 
Foreign Securities
Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. government. These risks include revaluation of currencies and adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. companies and the U.S. government.
 
K. 
Foreign Currency Translations
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency transactions are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the daily rates of exchange, and (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income and certain expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not isolate changes in the exchange rate of investment securities from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities. However, for federal income tax purposes, the Funds do isolate and treat as ordinary income the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on realized gain or loss from the sale of investment securities and payables and receivables arising from trade-date and settlement-date differences.
 
L. 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Funds consider highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are included in short-term investments on the Schedule of Investments as well as in investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.  Temporary cash overdrafts are reported as payable to custodian.
 
 
54

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
M. 
Guarantees and Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. The Funds have not historically incurred material expenses in respect of those provisions.
 
N. 
Other
Transactions are recorded for financial statement purposes on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest is accounted for on the accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and discounts on the effective interest method. Expenses include $1,502,518 and $7,687 of borrowing expense on securities sold short for TMF and EDF, respectively. The Funds may utilize derivative instruments such as options, swaps, futures, forward contracts and other instruments with similar characteristics to the extent that they are consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives and limitations. The use of these instruments may involve additional investment risks, including the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the value of the instruments and the underlying securities.
 
O.
Counterparty Risk
The Funds help manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties.
 
P. 
The Right to Offset
Financial assets and liabilities as well as cash collateral received by the counterparties and posted are offset by the counterparty, and the net amount is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities when the Funds believe there exists a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts.
 
Q. 
Derivatives
The Funds have adopted authoritative standards regarding disclosure about derivatives and hedging activities and how they affect the Funds’ Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations. With respect to TMF, for the six months ended June 30, 2014: long option contracts (1,458,568 contracts) were purchased and $124,445,338 in premiums were paid, written option contracts (2,750,153 contracts) were opened and $575,903,197 in premiums were received, equity swap contracts were opened with a notional value of $682,411,186 and closed with a notional value of $403,469,981 and an average of 13 forward currency exchange contract positions were open. With respect to EDF, for the period ended June 30, 2014: long option contracts (2,728 contracts) were purchased and $282,566 in premiums were paid, written option contracts (5,117 contracts) were opened and $1,042,077 in premiums were received, equity swap contracts were opened with a notional value of $4,101,300 and closed with a notional value of $1,779,857 and an average of 10 forward currency exchange contract positions were open.
 

 
55

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Fair values of derivative instruments as of June 30, 2014:
 
   
Asset Derivatives
   
Liability Derivatives
 
     Statement of Assets            Statement of Assets        
Derivatives
 
and Liabilities Location
   
Fair Value
   
and Liabilities Location
   
Fair Value
 
The Merger Fund
                       
Equity Contracts:
                       
  Purchased Option Contracts
 
Investments
    $ 15,831,652       N/A     $  
  Written Option Contracts
    N/A          
Written Option Contracts
      339,507,263  
  Swap Contracts
 
Receivables
         
Payables
      14,077,926  
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
                               
  Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
 
Receivables
      662,227    
Payables
      1,267,877  
Total
          $ 16,493,879             $ 354,853,066  
                                 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
                               
Equity Contracts:
                               
  Purchased Option Contracts
 
Investments
    $ 25,455       N/A     $  
  Written Option Contracts
    N/A          
Written Option Contracts
      515,928  
  Swap Contracts
 
Receivables
      89,455    
Payables
       
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
                               
  Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
 
Receivables
      3,353    
Payables
      4,385  
Total
          $ 118,263             $ 520,313  

Statement of Operations
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014:
 
Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
 
               
Forward
             
   
Purchased
   
Written
   
Currency
             
   
Option
   
Option
   
Exchange
   
Swap
       
 
 
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Total
 
Derivatives                              
                               
The Merger Fund
                             
Equity Contracts
  $ (115,469,914 )   $ (14,059,989 )   $     $ 13,173,623     $ (116,356,280 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts
                (10,367,393 )           (10,367,393 )
Total
  $ (115,469,914 )   $ (14,059,989 )   $ (10,367,393 )   $ 13,173,623     $ (126,723,673 )
                                         
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
                                       
Equity Contracts
  $ (119,514 )   $ (11,284 )   $     $ 63,176     $ (67,622 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts
                2,100             2,100  
Total
  $ (119,514 )   $ (11,284 )   $ 2,100     $ 63,176     $ (65,522 )
                                         

 
56

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives
 
               
Forward
             
   
Purchased
   
Written
   
Currency
             
   
Option
   
Option
   
Exchange
   
Swap
       
 
 
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Contracts
   
Total
 
Derivatives                              
                               
The Merger Fund
                             
Equity Contracts
  $ (4,997,217 )   $ (35,475,774 )   $     $ (6,105,629 )   $ (46,578,620 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts
                10,166,845             10,166,845  
Total
  $ (4,997,217 )   $ (35,475,774 )   $ 10,166,845     $ (6,105,629 )   $ (36,411,775 )
                                         
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
                                       
Equity Contracts
  $ (68,573 )   $ (131,181 )   $     $ 89,455     $ (110,299 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts
                (1,032 )           (1,032 )
Total
  $ (68,573 )   $ (131,181 )   $ (1,032 )   $ 89,455     $ (111,331 )
 
Note 3 — AGREEMENTS
The Funds’ investment adviser is Westchester Capital Management, LLC pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between TMF and the Adviser dated as of January 1, 2011 (the “TMF Advisory Agreement”) and pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between WCF, with respect to EDF, and the Adviser dated as of July 30, 2013 (the “EDF Advisory Agreement” and together with the TMF Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”).
 
Under the terms of the TMF Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive a fee, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of TMF’s average daily net assets.  The Adviser has agreed until April 29, 2015, to reduce its advisory fee so that the advisory fee will be: (i) 1.0% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of TMF on net assets below $1.5 billion; (ii) 0.9% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of TMF on net assets between $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion; (iii) 0.8% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of TMF on net assets between $2.0 billion and $5.0 billion and (iv) 0.75% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of TMF on net assets over $5.0 billion.  Investment advisory fees voluntarily waived by the Adviser on behalf of TMF for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were $3,534,103.
 
Under the terms of the EDF Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive a fee, calculated daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 1.25% of EDF’s average daily net assets.  The Adviser has contractually agreed until December 3, 2014 to waive its investment advisory fee and to reimburse EDF for other ordinary operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit ordinary operating expenses to an amount not to exceed 1.74% for Institutional Class shares and 1.99% for Investor Class shares. Ordinary operating expenses exclude taxes, commissions, mark-ups, litigation expenses, indemnification expenses, interest expenses, borrowing expenses, including on securities sold short, dividend expenses on securities sold short, trading or investment expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any extraorinary expenses.  To the extent that the Adviser waives its investment advisory fee for EDF and/or reimburses EDF for other ordinary operating expenses, it may seek reimbursement of a portion or all of such amounts at any time within three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which such
 

 
57

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 3 — AGREEMENTS (continued)
amounts were waived or reimbursed, subject to the expense limitation in place at the time such amounts were waived or reimbursed. For the period ended June 30, 2014, the Adviser waived $36,278 and reimbursed expenses of $254,960 to EDF.
 
The fee waiver arrangement for either Fund may be terminated at any time by such Fund’s Board of Trustees. Certain officers of the Funds are also officers of the Adviser.  Each Advisory Agreement was approved for an initial term of two years and thereafter will remain in effect from year to year provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the relevant Fund’s Trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser or such Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund.
 
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, a publicly held bank holding company, serves as transfer agent, administrator, accountant, dividend paying agent and shareholder servicing agent for the Funds. U.S. Bank, N.A. serves as custodian for the Funds.
 
Distribution services are performed pursuant to distribution contracts with broker-dealers and other qualified institutions.
 
Note 4 — SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The Board of Trustees of each Fund has the authority to issue an unlimited amount of shares of beneficial interest without par value.
 
Changes in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended
    Year Ended  
   
June 30, 2014
    December 31, 2013  
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
The Merger Fund
                       
Investor Class
                       
Issued
    67,235,361     $ 1,085,852,573       126,186,811     $ 2,018,213,379  
Issued as reinvestment of dividends
                5,490,093       87,786,581  
Redeemed
    (49,743,036 )     (803,937,101 )     (108,218,504 )     (1,731,456,383 )
Net increase
    17,492,325     $ 281,915,472       23,458,400     $ 374,543,577  

 
58

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 4 — SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST (continued)
 
   
Six Months Ended
    Year Ended  
   
June 30, 2014
    December 31, 2013  
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
The Merger Fund
                       
Institutional Class
                       
Issued
    9,251,327     $ 150,207,469       11,442,811     $ 186,578,128  
Issued as reinvestment of dividends
                285,446       4,555,721  
Redeemed
    (1,406,370 )     (22,780,547 )     (945,886 )     (15,297,308 )
Net increase
    7,844,957     $ 127,426,922       10,782,371     $ 175,836,541  

   
Period Ended
 
   
June 30, 2014*
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
           
Institutional Class
           
Issued
    758,277     $ 7,655,432  
Redeemed
    (41,725 )     (429,513 )
Net increase
    716,552     $ 7,225,919  
 
 
*
The Institutional Class inception date was January 2, 2014.
 
 
Note 5 — INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME TAX INFORMATION
TMF’s purchases and sales of securities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 (excluding short-term investments, short-term options, forward currency contracts, swap contracts and short positions) in the aggregate were $4,139,262,458 and $2,830,286,539, respectively. EDF’s purchases and sales of securities for the period ended June 30, 2014 (excluding short-term investments, short-term options, forward currency contracts, swap contracts and short positions) in the aggregate were $11,932,973 and $5,343,737, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities for the Funds.
 
At December 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
   
The Merger Fund
 
Cost of investments
  $ 4,900,927,306  
Gross unrealized appreciation
    504,656,173  
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (265,726,359 )
Net unrealized appreciation
  $ 238,929,814  
Undistributed ordinary income
  $  
Undistributed long-term capital gain
     
Total distributable earnings
  $  
Other accumulated losses
    (217,830,218 )
Total accumulated gains
  $ 21,099,596  
 
 
59

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 5 — INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME TAX INFORMATION (continued)
The tax components of dividends paid during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for TMF, and the period ended June 30, 2014 for EDF were as follows:
 
               
WCM Alternatives:
 
   
The Merger Fund
   
Event-Driven Fund
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Investor Class
                       
Ordinary Income
  $     $ 115,522,819       N/A       N/A  
Long-Term Capital Gains
                N/A       N/A  
Total Distributions Paid
  $     $ 115,522,819       N/A       N/A  
                                 
      2014       2013       2014       2013  
Institutional Class
                               
Ordinary Income
  $     $ 4,709,040     $       N/A  
Long-Term Capital Gains
                      N/A  
Total Distributions Paid
  $     $ 4,709,040     $       N/A  
 
TMF designated as long-term capital gain dividend, pursuant to Internal Revenue Case Section 852(b)(3), the amount necessary to reduce the earnings and profits of the Fund related to net capital gain to zero for the tax year ended December 31, 2013.
 
As of December 31, 2013, TMF deferred, on a tax basis, post-October ordinary losses of $19,641,643. As of December 31, 2013, TMF did not have a post-October capital loss or a capital loss carryforward.
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, certain dividends paid by TMF may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 was 50.66% (unaudited) for the Fund.
 
For corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 was 44.00% (unaudited) for TMF.
 
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Code Section 871(k)(2)(c) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 was 20.27% (unaudited) for TMF.

 
60

 
 
The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 6 — WRITTEN OPTION CONTRACTS
The premium amount and the number of written option contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the period ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:
 
         
 
    WCM Alternatives:  
   
The Merger Fund
    Event-Driven Fund  
   
Number of
   
Premium
   
Number of
   
Premium
 
   
Contracts
   
Amount
   
Contracts
   
Amount
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013
    771,852     $ 185,389,161           $  
Options written
    2,750,153       575,903,197       5,117       1,042,077  
Options closed
    (1,776,965 )     (382,134,485 )     (2,001 )     (416,343 )
Options exercised
    (348,035 )     (126,337,794 )     (563 )     (201,838 )
Options expired
    (229,952 )     (18,865,014 )     (499 )     (39,149 )
Options outstanding at June 30, 2014
    1,167,053     $ 233,955,065       2,054     $ 384,747  
 
Note 7 — DISTRIBUTION PLAN
TMF has adopted an Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution (the “TMF Plan”) dated July 30, 2013, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act that applies to TMF’s Investor Class shares.  EDF has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the “EDF Plan” and together with the TMF Plan, the “Plans”) dated July 30, 2013, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act that applies to EDF’s Investor Class shares. Under each Plan, the respective Fund will compensate broker dealers or other qualified institutions with whom the Fund has entered into a contract to distribute the Fund’s Investor Class shares. Under each Plan, the amount of such compensation paid in any one year shall not exceed 0.25% annually of the average daily net assets attributable to the respective Fund’s Investor Class shares, which may be payable as a distribution fee or a service fee for providing permitted recordkeeping, subaccounting, subtransfer agency and/or shareholder liaison services. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, TMF incurred $4,252,880 pursuant to the TMF Plan in respect of TMF’s Investor Class shares. As of June 30, 2014, EDF had no outstanding Investor Class shares. Each Plan will remain in effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by a vote either of a majority of the relevant Fund’s Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, or a majority of the relevant Fund’s outstanding Investor Class shares.
 
Note 8 — TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Pursuant to Section (2)(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, if a Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, the issuer is deemed to be an affiliate of the Fund. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, TMF owned the following position in such companies for investment purposes only:
 
   
Share
               
Share
   
Market
                   
   
Balance at
               
Balance at
   
Value at
                   
   
Dec. 31,
               
June 30,
   
June 30,
   
Dividend
   
Interest
   
Realized
 
Issuer Name
 
2013
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
2014
   
2014
   
Income
   
Income
   
Gain
 
Jos. A. Bank
                                               
  Clothiers, Inc.
          2,695,217       2,695,217           $     $     $     $ 3,960,926  
                                    $     $     $     $ 3,960,926  
 

 
61

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 9 — OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Each Fund is subject to various Master Netting Arrangements, which govern the terms of certain transactions with select counterparties. The Master Netting Arrangements allow each Fund to close out and net its total exposure to a counterparty in the event of a default with respect to all the transactions governed under a single agreement with a counterparty. The Master Netting Arrangements also specify collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. Under the Master Netting Arrangements, collateral is routinely transferred if the total net exposure to certain transactions (net of existing collateral already in place) governed under the relevant Master Netting Arrangement with a counterparty in a given account exceeds a specified threshold depending on the counterparty and the type of Master Netting Arrangement.
 
The Merger Fund
                      Gross Amounts not offset        
                      in the Statement        
                      of Assets and Liabilities        
   
Gross
   
Gross Amounts
   
Net Amounts
                   
   
Amounts of
   
Offset in the
   
Presented in
                   
   
Recognized
   
Statement
   
the Statement
         
Collateral
       
   
Assets/
   
of Assets
   
of Assets
   
Financial
   
Received/
   
Net
 
   
Liabilities
   
and Liabilities
   
and Liabilities
   
Instruments
   
Pledged
   
Amount
 
Assets:
                                   
Description
                                   
Forward Currency
                                   
  Exchange Contracts
  $ 662,227     $     $ 662,227     $ 662,227     $     $  
Swap Contracts
    4,423,692       4,423,692                          
    $ 5,085,919     $ 4,423,692     $ 662,227     $ 662,227     $     $  
Liabilities:
                                               
Description
                                               
Forward Currency
                                               
  Exchange Contracts
  $ 1,267,877     $     $ 1,267,877     $ 662,227     $ 605,650     $  
Swap Contracts
    18,501,618       4,423,692       14,077,926             14,077,926        
Written Option Contracts
    339,507,263             339,507,263             339,507,263        
    $ 359,276,758     $ 4,423,692     $ 354,853,066     $ 662,227     $ 354,190,839     $  
 

 
62

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Note 9 — OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)
WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
                      Gross Amounts not offset        
                      in the Statement        
                      of Assets and Liabilities        
   
Gross
   
Gross Amounts
   
Net Amounts
                   
   
Amounts of
   
Offset in the
   
Presented in
                   
   
Recognized
   
Statement
   
the Statement
         
Collateral
       
   
Assets/
   
of Assets
   
of Assets
   
Financial
   
Received/
   
Net
 
   
Liabilities
   
and Liabilities
   
and Liabilities
   
Instruments
   
Pledged
   
Amount
 
Assets:
                                   
Description
                                   
Forward Currency
                                   
  Exchange Contracts
  $ 3,353     $     $ 3,353     $ 3,353     $     $  
Swap Contracts —
                                               
  JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
    59,631       45,813       13,818                   13,818  
Swap Contracts —
                                               
  Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
    97,762       22,125       75,637                   75,637  
    $ 160,746     $ 67,938     $ 92,808     $ 3,353     $     $ 89,455  
Liabilities:
                                               
Description
                                               
Forward Currency
                                               
  Exchange Contracts
  $ 4,385     $     $ 4,385     $ 3,353     $ 1,032     $  
Swap Contracts —
                                               
  JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc.
    45,813       45,813                          
Swap Contracts —
                                               
  Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.
    22,125       22,125                          
Written Option Contracts
    515,928             515,928             515,928        
    $ 588,251     $ 67,938     $ 520,313     $ 3,353     $ 516,960     $  

 
63

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
BOARD APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
 
Prior to the inception of WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund’s (the “Fund” or “EDF”) investment operations, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund (the “Independent Trustees”), approved  the Fund’s advisory arrangements (the “Agreement”) with Westchester Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”) for an initial two-year period.  A summary of the material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the approval by the Board and the Independent Trustees are discussed below.
 
Review Process
 
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires that the Board request and evaluate, and that the Adviser furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the proposed terms of the Fund’s Agreement.  The Independent Trustees began their formal review process by requesting from the Adviser information they believed necessary to evaluate the proposed terms of the Fund’s Agreement.  The Independent Trustees and Board, in approving the Agreement, did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and each Trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.  Throughout the review process, the Independent Trustees were advised by their independent counsel.  The Independent Trustees also discussed the proposed approval of the Agreement in a private session with their independent counsel, at which no representatives of the Adviser were present.
 
The following summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the Board and the Independent Trustees.
 
Materials Reviewed
 
During the course of its review, the Board received a wide variety of materials relating to the services to be provided by the Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers, including reports on the Adviser’s performance in managing a similarly managed account, the proposed advisory fee structure, and other information relating to the nature, extent and quality of services proposed to be provided by the Adviser to the Fund.  In addition, in connection with its consideration of the Agreement, the Board requested and reviewed supplementary information regarding the estimated total expenses of the Fund, the Adviser’s estimated profitability in respect of the Fund, and information about the personnel expected to provide investment management services to the Fund.  The Board also requested and evaluated advisory fee and expense information for other investment companies with substantially similar investment strategies that was compiled by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC using categories and data provided by Morningstar, Inc.  The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered information regarding anticipated so-called “fall-out” benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates due to the Adviser’s proposed relationship with the Fund.  In addition to the information presented as part of this process, the members of the Board also considered information they received regarding the Adviser in their roles as members of the board of trustees of the other registered investment companies sponsored and advised by the Adviser.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
Nature and Extent of Services – In approving the Agreement for an initial two-year term, the Board and the Independent Trustees evaluated the nature and extent of the services to be provided by the Adviser.  The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered information concerning the Adviser’s investment philosophy and investment outlook with respect to the Fund.  In this context, the
 
 
64

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
BOARD APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (continued)
 
 
Board and the Independent Trustees considered the in-house research capabilities of the Adviser as well as other resources available to the Adviser, including research services available to the Adviser as a result of securities transactions to be effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients of the Adviser.  The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered the managerial and financial resources available to the Adviser.
 
Quality of Services – The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser and the quality of the resources of the Adviser available to the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the specialized experience, expertise and professional qualifications of the personnel of the Adviser, including that the Adviser had a track record sub-advising a registered mutual fund with principal investment strategies substantially similar to those proposed to be employed on behalf of the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the complexity of managing the Fund’s strategy relative to other types of funds.  The Board and the Independent Trustees also received and reviewed information regarding the quality of non-investment advisory services expected to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including certain compliance services.  The Board and the Independent Trustees considered that the scope of the services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser were consistent with the Fund’s operational requirements.
 
In their evaluation of the quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser, the Board and the Independent Trustees also considered the performance of the Adviser in managing another registered mutual fund with substantially similar investment strategies to those of the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the Agreement, that the Adviser’s performance record in managing a fund with similar investment strategies supported the approval of the Agreement.
 
The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the Agreement, that, overall, they were satisfied with the proposed nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser.
 
Management Fees and Expenses
 
The Board and the Independent Trustees reviewed information, including comparative information, regarding the proposed advisory fees to be paid to the Adviser and the estimated total expenses to be borne by the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered the fees that the Adviser and its affiliates charge another client with substantially similar investment strategies to those of the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees considered information provided by the Adviser describing the differences in services provided to that other client.  The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the Agreement, that the proposed fees to be charged under the Agreement represent reasonable compensation to the Adviser in light of the services to be provided.
 
Profitability and Possible Economies of Scale
 
Profitability – The Board and the Independent Trustees reviewed information regarding the anticipated cost of services provided by the Adviser and the anticipated profitability (before distribution expenses and prior to taxes) of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund.  The Board reviewed a pro forma profit and loss analysis for the Adviser based on the estimated cost of services to be provided and varying estimated levels of Fund assets over the course of the first two years of
 
 
65

 

WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund
BOARD APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (continued)
 
 
the Agreement.  In evaluating the Adviser’s expected profitability, the Independent Trustees considered that the information provided by the Adviser was necessarily estimated and that preparing the related profitability information involved certain assumptions and allocations that were imprecise.  The Board and the Independent Trustees recognized that the probative value of estimated profitability information may be limited because a wide range of comparative information often is not generally available and it can be affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, the efficiency of an adviser’s operations, numerous assumptions about allocations and the adviser’s cost of capital.  In addition, the Board and the Independent Trustees considered information regarding the direct and indirect benefits the Adviser receives as a result of its relationship with the Fund, including research expected to be purchased with soft dollar credits earned from portfolio transactions effected on behalf of the Fund (soft dollar arrangements), and reputational benefits.
 
Economies of Scale – The Board and the Independent Trustees reviewed the extent to which the Adviser may realize economies of scale in managing the Fund.  The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the Agreement, that the Adviser’s estimated level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was reasonable and not excessive in light of, among other things, significant start-up and ongoing costs expected to be borne by the Adviser and its expertise and experience in managing event-driven strategies.  The Board and the Independent Trustees noted the Adviser’s representation that some economies of scale may arise from the Adviser’s sub-advisory services it provides to another client with substantially similar investment strategies to those proposed to be employed by the Fund.  However, the Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the Adviser is unlikely to experience significant economies of scale in connection with the services to be provided to the Fund during the initial two-year term due to the low level of anticipated assets expected to be invested in the Fund during the initial two-year period and the start-up and ongoing costs that are expected to be borne by the Adviser as a result of the proposed expense limitation agreement.  The Board and the Independent Trustees believed that it was not necessary to consider sharing economies of scale, including breakpoints, at this time.  The Trustees also considered that the Adviser proposed an expense limitation that would limit, with certain exceptions, the maximum total annual expenses of the Fund.  The Independent Trustees concluded that those measures were reasonably designed to result in the sharing of economies of scale realized by the Adviser, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Conclusions
 
Based on the Board’s review, including the Board’s consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the proposed terms of the Agreement, including the fees payable to the Adviser, are fair and reasonable to the Fund and its shareholders given the scope and quality of the services expected to be provided to the Fund and such other considerations as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and that approval of the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.  Accordingly, the Board and Independent Trustees unanimously approved the Agreement for an initial two-year term.
 
 
66

 

The Merger Fund and WCM Alternatives: Event-Driven Fund

 
AVAILABILITY OF PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

 
Information regarding how the Funds generally vote proxies relating to portfolio securities may be obtained without charge by calling the Funds’ Transfer Agent at 1-800-343-8959 or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the SEC’s website or by calling the toll-free number listed above.
 
 
AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE

 
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q.  The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC.  Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 
67

 

Investment Adviser
Westchester Capital Management, LLC
100 Summit Lake Drive
Valhalla, NY  10595
(914) 741-5600
www.westchestercapitalfunds.com

Administrator, Transfer Agent, Accountant,
Dividend Paying Agent and Shareholder
Servicing Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI  53201-0701
(800) 343-8959

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI  53212
(800) 343-8959

Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI  53202

Trustees
Roy Behren
Michael T. Shannon
Barry Hamerling
Richard V. Silver
Christianna Wood

Executive Officers
Roy Behren, Co-President and Treasurer
Michael T. Shannon, Co-President
Bruce Rubin, Vice President and
  Chief Compliance Officer
Abraham R. Cary, Secretary

Counsel
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY  10036

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
100 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI  53202

 
 

 
 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.
 
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)  
The Registrant’s Co-Presidents/Chief Executive Officers and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the registrant and by the registrant’s service provider.

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

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not applicable.
 
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.  Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith.

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

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


(Registrant)  The Merger Fund                                                                                                

By (Signature and Title)*/s/ Michael T. Shannon
Michael T. Shannon, Co-President

Date  August 28, 2014

By (Signature and Title)*/s/ Roy Behren
 Roy Behren, Co-President and Treasurer

Date  August 28, 2014


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

By (Signature and Title)*/s/ Michael T. Shannon
Michael T. Shannon, Co-President

Date  August 28, 2014


By (Signature and Title)*/s/ Roy Behren
 Roy Behren, Co-President and Treasurer

Date  August 28, 2014


* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.