N-CSRS 1 ea158919_ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

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

 

811-4854

   

__________________________________________

The Oberweis Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

__________________________________________

3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532
(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip code)

James W. Oberweis
The Oberweis Funds
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500
Lisle, IL 60532

 

Copy to: James A. Arpaia
Vedder Price P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2600
Chicago, IL 60601

(Name and address of agent for service)

__________________________________________

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 323-6166

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2023

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

Semi-Annual Reports for the period 01/01/23 through 06/30/23 is filed herewith

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

       
       

INVESTOR
CLASS

 

INSTITUTIONAL
CLASS

   
   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

OBMCX

 

OMCIX

   
   

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

OBSOX

 

OBSIX

   
   

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

OBEGX

 

OBGIX

   
   

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

OBCHX

 

OCHIX

   
   

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

OBIOX

 

   
   

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

OBEMX

 

OIEMX

   
   

June 30, 2023

           
   

oberweisfunds.com

           

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

President’s Letter

 

1

Fund Overview

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

6

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

6

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

7

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

7

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

8

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

8

Schedule of Investments

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

9

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

13

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

17

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

20

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

24

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

27

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

31

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

31

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

31

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

32

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

32

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

32

Statements of Operations

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

33

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

33

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

34

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

34

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

34

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

34

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

35

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

36

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

37

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

38

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

39

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

40

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

41

Financial Highlights

   

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

 

50

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

52

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

 

54

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

 

56

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

 

58

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

 

59

Supplemental Information

 

61

 

PRESIDENT’S LETTER (unaudited)

Dear Fellow Oberweis Funds Shareholder,

YEAR-TO-DATE PERFORMANCE THROUGH June 30, 2023

There’s an old adage that the stock market climbs a wall of worry. The first half of 2023 appears to be a case in point. Despite persistent concerns of inflation and recession, global equity markets broadly rebounded. Both U.S. and international equities rallied materially, except for China, where equities fell 5.46%1. Globally, growth stocks outperformed value stocks, while large-cap stocks fared better than small. Continuing a phenomenal performance run relative to its benchmark and peers, the Micro-Cap Fund surged 18.55%, well ahead of the 7.16% gain of the Russell Micro-Cap Growth Index. The Small-Cap Fund returned 14.19% compared to 13.55% for the Russell 2000 Growth Index. The Emerging Markets Fund returned 10.96% versus 10.50% for the MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap Index. Rising U.S.-China tensions and an underwhelming post-Covid reopening in China were headwinds for the China Fund, which declined 8.96% compared to a 5.46% decline for the MSCI China Index. The International Opportunities Fund gained 3.54% versus 5.72% for the MSCI World ex-US Small-Cap Growth Fund. The Global Opportunities Fund returned 8.22% compared to 8.02% for the MSCI AWCI Small-Cap Index.

MARKET ENVIRONMENT

The key issues for investors — inflation, recession, and Russia’s war on Ukraine — have not changed since last year. While the mainstream financial media spends a significant amount of time debating the merits and timing and magnitude of a supposed “impending recession,” most economists would admit that economics is an inexact science and predicting a recession is often a fool’s errand. As bottom-up stock pickers, we claim no edge in macroeconomic forecasting, as the associated data lies in clear view for all investors to see. Instead, we assess macro risks and influences on individual company fundamentals and discount those risks as we would any other.

What we see in the global economy is a mixed picture: there are plenty of positive and negative data points out there to substantiate one’s position (as behavioral finance folks, we call this “confirmation bias”). On the negative side, the Fed continues to raise rates and has signaled its intention for additional hikes later this year, and we know the impact of tighter monetary policy on the economy is historically lagged. The U.S. ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reading of 46 signals contraction, and the Eurozone reading of 43 is even worse. The resilient consumer — who drives 70% of the U.S. economy — has seen excess savings they accumulated during Covid dwindle just as student loan forgiveness is set to expire. They are also facing the worst housing affordability picture since 2008 as mortgage rates eclipse 7%. On the positive side, the Services PMI reading of 54 signals expansion, so that part of the U.S. economy remains resilient. Future earnings estimates point to growth as inflation is finally abating and corporate profit margins rebound. While the consumer is seeing savings shrink, they enjoy a record-low debt-service ratio and they still have jobs. Rising rates have yet to hit employment, which continues to surprise to the upside. Job openings are still near all-time highs and non-farm layoffs have yet to inflect upward.

What’s it all mean? We don’t profess to know. But here’s what we do know. First, we continue to find companies posting significant positive earnings surprises driven by misunderstood fundamental changes that should, based on our research, lead to additional earnings surprises in the future. These are idiosyncratic fundamental changes that tend to trump economic headwinds. Second, we know small-cap stocks are cheaper relative to large-cap stocks than they’ve been in more than 20 years. In fact, today’s relative valuation discount sits around two

1  As measured by the MSCI China Index

1

 

PRESIDENT’S LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

standard deviations, which means the current valuation delta between small-cap and large-cap stocks only happens around 5% of the time. Third, we know that non-U.S. stocks are much cheaper than their U.S. counterparts, especially in emerging markets. International equities have underperformed their U.S. brethren for a decade. Meanwhile, the U.S. large-cap market has been led by a narrow group of stocks trading at high valuations. The top 10 stocks in the capitalization-weighted S&P 500 Index comprise a record 32% of that index. Apple (AAPL) is now bigger in capitalization than the entire Russell 2000 and the top 5 market cap names are 3.5 times the market cap of small caps. Index investors unknowingly have a lot of eggs in a very small basket, and as a contrarian that set-up seems pretty compelling to us. We’d be surprised if small-caps didn’t outperform large-caps over the next decade. We also expect that, despite today’s uncertainties, international equities are likely to revert to more normal valuations over time.

In Europe, it is hard to find any strategist with much to say that’s positive. As European consumers have been deprived of cheap Russian natural gas, the cost of energy has sapped an ever-larger share of disposable income. That in turn has left the European consumer with less to spend, causing more pronounced economic slowness than in the U.S. That said, European stocks trade at a sharp discount to their American counterparts and trends, on the margin, appear to be improving. Energy prices in Europe are down year-over-year, which contributes to input price deflation and potentially higher margins. Much pessimism is already built into European stock prices, and the drags from input costs, inventories and capital spending appear to be marginally easing, which creates reasonable positive conditions for earnings surprises in the quarters to come.

Perhaps most difficult to forecast is China, where economic data has mostly been weak so far and unfriendly business policies have chased away many foreign investors. Again, this news isn’t new and Chinese equities are the among the cheapest in our investable universe. Relief for investors could come if the government commits to a new stimulus program. The worse the economic news, the greater the probability that the government will shift from a policy of deleveraging to stimulus, and it appears that pendulum has already begun to swing. When the Chinese government turns on the spending spigot against a backdrop of depressed stock prices, in our view you want to be in on the deal.

Emerging markets have generally been out of favor now for much of the past decade, in part due to the strength of the U.S. dollar, which hit its highest level of the last 20 years in the second quarter (Bloomberg Spot Dollar Index). Of course, that is not likely to last forever, and upswings in emerging markets tend to be swift and strong. So far into the third quarter, the dollar has already declined well off that high. A weakening dollar paired with below-average valuations could be good news for investors in the Emerging Markets Fund. I’m also pleased to wish the Emerging Markets Fund a Happy Fifth Birthday, with a track record boasting an average annual return of over 200 bps ahead of its benchmark since inception.

While sentiment may swing wildly in the short-run in response to incremental economic data, comments by the Federal Reserve, headlines, and TV soundbites, our bottom-up investment strategy focuses instead on companies demonstrating better-than-expected earnings power driven by transformational change. The P/E multiples afforded such companies may vary from quarter to quarter based on investor risk appetite, but we believe that the ultimate valuations of such companies will be driven by their ability to innovate, create new products, take market share, and generate cash flow back to shareholders. Times like today, when valuations for such companies are very reasonable amid uncertain economic times, have been historically favorable for investors in our strategies.

2

 

PRESIDENT’S LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

VALUATION RECAP

As of June 30, 2023, the weighted-average forward price/earnings (P/E) ratio was 14.9 times for the Global Opportunities Fund (versus 15.0 last quarter), 19.3 times for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund (versus 15.3 last quarter), 15.4 times for the Micro-Cap Fund (versus 13.2 last quarter), 17.8 times for the International Opportunities Fund (versus 15.5 last quarter), 14.4 times for the China Opportunities Fund (versus 18.6 last quarter), and 20.5 times for the Emerging Markets Fund (versus 19.1 times last quarter). Each of these funds invests in companies with expected earnings growth rates that are higher than that of the broader market, and in companies expected to grow faster than current market expectations. It’s worth noting that the P/E ratio of the funds with significant non-US exposure (the International Opportunities, China Opportunities, Emerging Markets, and Global Opportunities Funds) remain well below their historical average P/Es. As of June 30, 2023, the weighted-average market capitalization was $4.3 billion for the Global Opportunities Fund, $4.7 billion for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, $1.6 billion for the Micro-Cap Fund, $5.9 billion for the International Opportunities Fund, $58.4 billion for the China Opportunities Fund, and $3.4 billion for the Emerging Markets Fund.

Thank you for investing with us in The Oberweis Funds.

Sincerely,

James W. Oberweis, CFA
President & Portfolio Manager

3

 

PRESIDENT’S LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

For current performance information, please visit www.oberweisfunds.com.

OBERWEIS FUNDS AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) (as of June 30, 2023)

 

 

Ticker

 

Qtr

 

1 Yr

 

3 Yr

 

5 Yr

 

10 Yr

 

Life of
Fund
2

 

Expense
Ratio
3

Global
Opportunities

 

OBEGX

OBGIX1

 

0.44

0.47

 

21.66

21.94

 

9.33

9.60

 

6.92

7.17

 

9.10

9.37

 

8.62

8.89

 

1.51

1.27

Micro-Cap

 

 

OBMCX

OMCIX1

 

8.69

8.79

 

35.71

36.03

 

33.19

33.55

 

15.43

15.74

 

16.90

17.19

 

11.63

11.91

 

1.52

1.27

Small-Cap
Opportunities

 

OBSOX

OBSIX1

 

2.73

2.81

 

30.75

31.05

 

25.69

26.02

 

15.59

15.87

 

14.59

14.88

 

8.77

9.04

 

1.25

1.00

China
Opportunities

 

OBCHX

OCHIX1

 

-7.01

-6.89

 

-27.00

-26.80

 

-10.79

-10.58

 

-3.38

-3.13

 

4.08

4.33

 

8.35

8.62

 

2.03

1.78

International
Opportunities

 

OBIOX

 

-1.54

 

2.92

 

-1.16

 

-0.10

 

6.47

 

6.94

 

1.60

Emerging Markets

 

 

OBEMX

OIEMX

 

2.77

2.83

 

9.23

9.42

 

7.78

8.01

 

6.69

6.95

 

n/a

n/a

 

5.42

5.67

 

1.75

1.50

Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that you may have gain or loss when shares are sold. Current performance may be higher or lower than quoted. Unusually high returns may not be sustainable. Visit us online at oberweisfunds.com for most recent month-end performance.

The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations. There is no guarantee that the funds can achieve their objectives. Holdings in the Funds are subject to change.

Before investing, consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. To obtain a copy of the prospectus or summary prospectus containing this and other information please visit our website at oberweisfunds.com or call 800-323-6166. Read it carefully before investing. The Oberweis Funds are distributed by Oberweis Securities, Inc. Member: FINRA & SIPC.

1 Institutional Class shares OBGIX, OMCIX, OBSIX and OCHIX performance information was calculated using the historical performance of Investor Class shares for periods prior to May 1, 2017.

Life of Fund returns are from commencement of operations on 01/07/87 for the Global Opportunities Fund, 01/01/96 for the Micro-Cap Fund, 09/15/96 for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, 10/01/05 for the China Opportunities Fund, 02/01/07 for the International Opportunities Fund, 05/01/17 for the Institutional Share Classes, 05/01/18 for the Emerging Markets Fund Share Classes.

December 31, 2022 data. Expense ratio is the total net annualized fund operating expense ratio. The expense ratio gross of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursements was 1.52%, 1.28%, 1.53%, 1.27%, 1.45%, 1.20%, 2.05%, 1.80%, 1.87%, 2.90%, and 2.65% for OBEGX, OBGIX, OBMCX, OMCIX, OBSOX, OBSIX, OBCHX, OCHIX, OBIOX, OBEMX, and OIEMX respectively. Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (OAM), the Fund’s investment advisor is contractually obligated through April 30, 2024 to reduce its management fees or reimburse OBEGX and OBMCX to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year the following amounts expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets: 1.8% of the first $50 million; plus 1.6% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million and for OBGIX and OMCIX 1.55% of the first $50 million; plus 1.35% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. OAM is also contractually obligated through April 30, 2024 to reduce its management fees or reimburse OBSOX, OBCHX, OBIOX, OBEMX and OFIGX to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses exceed in any one year 1.25%, 2.24%, 1.60%,1.75% and 0.95% expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets, respectively, and for OBSIX, OCHIX and OIEMX 1.00%,1.99% and1.50% respectively. Effective May 15, 2023, for OBCHX, OCHIX, OBIOX, OBIIX, OBEMX,

4

 

PRESIDENT’S LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

and OIEMX, respectively, the adviser may recoup the amount of any expenses reimbursed under the contract within three years following the date of the reimbursement if the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time of the recoupment, or the expense limitation in effect at the time of the initial reimbursement, whichever is lower.

The MSCI World ex-US Small Cap Growth Index (Net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of small cap growth developed markets excluding the US, with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax. The MSCI ACWI Small Cap Index (Net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of small cap developed and emerging markets with dividends reinvested net of withholding tax. The MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of small-cap stocks in 24 emerging markets. The MSCI China Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted Index of Chinese equities that include China-affiliated corporations and H shares listed on the Hong Kong Exchange, and B shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges and P chips and foreign listings with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax.

The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of approximately 2,000 companies with small-market capitalizations. The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted earnings growth rates. The Russell Microcap Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell Micro Cap companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The performance data includes reinvested dividends. The Russell Microcap Index is represented by the smallest 1,000 securities in the small cap Russell 2000 Index plus the next 1,000 securities. Each index is an unmanaged group of stocks, whose performance does not reflect the deduction of fees, expenses or taxes.

5

 

Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

97.9

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

2.1

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Aehr Test Systems

 

5.1

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

 

4.0

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.

 

2.1

Extreme Networks, Inc.

 

2.0

Blue Bird Corp.

 

1.9

Navitas Semiconductor Corp.

 

1.9

Ultra Clean Hldgs., Inc.

 

1.9

Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.

 

1.8

OneSpan, Inc.

 

1.8

ADMA Biologics, Inc.

 

1.8

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

21.0

Healthcare
Equipment & Supplies

 

12.1

Communications Equipment

 

6.0

Software

 

5.4

Biotechnology

 

4.9

Trading Co. & Distribution

 

3.9

Commercial Services & Supplies

 

3.5

Machinery

 

3.5

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

3.3

Media

 

3.0

Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

97.1

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

2.9

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Aehr Test Systems

 

5.4

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

 

4.1

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.

 

2.0

Visteon Corp.

 

1.8

Lantheus Hldgs., Inc.

 

1.7

Crocs, Inc.

 

1.7

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

 

1.7

Power Integrations, Inc.

 

1.6

Encompass Health Corp.

 

1.6

Vertiv Hldgs. Co.

 

1.6

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

18.0

Healthcare
Equipment & Supplies

 

11.4

Machinery

 

6.3

Healthcare Providers & Services

 

4.7

Professional Services

 

4.2

Aerospace & Defense

 

3.9

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

3.3

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

3.3

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods

 

3.3

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

2.9

6

 

Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

94.4

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

5.6

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

 

4.8

Belden, Inc.

 

4.3

Ashtead Technology Hldgs. PLC

 

4.0

Alphatec Hldgs., Inc.

 

3.4

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

3.1

Impinj, Inc.

 

3.1

M31 Technology Corp.

 

2.7

Veracyte, Inc.

 

2.6

Bel Fuse, Inc.

 

2.6

Perion Network Ltd.

 

2.4

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

20.6

Healthcare Equipment &
Supplies

 

10.3

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

8.1

Trading Co. & Distribution

 

5.4

Communications Equipment

 

4.6

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods

 

4.0

Food Products

 

3.2

Energy Equipment & Services

 

3.1

Professional Services

 

3.1

Information Technology Services

 

2.8

Oberweis China Opportunities Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

97.9

Short-Term Investments

 

1.7

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

0.4

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Alibaba Group Hldg. Ltd.

 

4.8

Tencent Hldgs. Ltd.

 

4.7

NetEase, Inc.

 

3.5

Meituan

 

3.1

Wistron Corp.

 

2.9

M31 Technology Corp.

 

2.8

Alchip Technologies Ltd.

 

2.3

Li Auto, Inc. ADS

 

2.3

PDD HIdgs. ADS

 

2.2

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.

 

2.2

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

 

10.9

Broadline Retail

 

9.0

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

8.7

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

8.7

Interactive Media & Services

 

6.2

Entertainment

 

6.0

Electrical Equipment

 

5.8

Beverages

 

4.2

Machinery

 

4.0

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods

 

3.7

7

 

Oberweis International Opportunities Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

98.9

Rights

 

0.1

Short-Term Investments

 

0.4

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

0.6

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

5.1

The Sage Group PLC

 

3.9

ATS Corp.

 

3.5

Saab AB

 

3.1

Edenred SA

 

2.9

Gerresheimer AG

 

2.7

Element Fleet Management Corp.

 

2.6

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

 

2.6

Constellium SE

 

2.6

Davide Campari-Milano NV

 

2.6

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Machinery

 

9.9

Information Technology Services

 

6.6

Food Products

 

5.7

Financial Services

 

5.6

Professional Services

 

5.1

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

 

4.4

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

4.2

Metals & Mining

 

4.2

Trading Co. & Distribution

 

4.0

Software

 

3.9

Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

94.7

Short-Term Investments

 

5.0

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

0.3

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Alchip Technologies Ltd.

 

2.6

LEENO Industrial, Inc.

 

2.1

Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd.

 

2.1

OPT Machine Vision Tech Co. Ltd.

 

2.0

Classys, Inc.

 

2.0

Zhejiang Shuanghuan Driveline Co. Ltd.

 

2.0

Cera Sanitaryware Ltd.

 

2.0

Chongqing Brewery Co. Ltd.

 

2.0

Tokai Carbon Korea Co. Ltd.

 

2.0

Park Systems Corp.

 

1.9

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

12.0

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

11.5

Software

 

10.6

Pharmaceuticals

 

6.0

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

5.7

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

 

5.0

Beverages

 

4.2

Chemicals

 

3.6

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

3.5

Professional Services

 

3.2

8

 

OBERWEIS MICRO-CAP FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 97.9%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Aerospace & Defense – 1.4%

     

 

 

V2X, Inc.*

 

97,800

 

$

4,846,968

       

 

 

Automobile Components – 1.1%

     

 

 

Modine Manufacturing Co.*

 

115,000

 

 

3,797,300

       

 

 

Banks – 2.3%

     

 

 

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

 

180,000

 

 

1,573,200

Heritage Financial Corp.

 

126,500

 

 

2,045,505

Mercantile Bank Corp.

 

39,700

 

 

1,096,514

Preferred Bank

 

57,000

 

 

3,134,430

       

 

7,849,649

       

 

 

Biotechnology – 4.9%

     

 

 

ADMA Biologics, Inc.*

 

1,668,700

 

 

6,157,503

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

183,400

 

 

2,464,896

Dynavax Technologies Corp.*

 

245,400

 

 

3,170,568

Veracyte, Inc.*

 

202,700

 

 

5,162,769

       

 

16,955,736

       

 

 

Building Products – 1.0%

     

 

 

JELD WEN Hldg., Inc.*

 

201,900

 

 

3,541,326

       

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies – 3.5%

     

 

 

CECO Environmental Corp.*

 

392,600

 

 

5,245,136

SP Plus Corp.*

 

113,700

 

 

4,446,807

VSE Corp.

 

47,700

 

 

2,608,713

       

 

12,300,656

       

 

 

Communications Equipment – 6.0%

     

 

 

Aviat Networks, Inc.*

 

109,507

 

 

3,654,249

Digi International, Inc.*

 

120,600

 

 

4,750,434

Extreme Networks, Inc.*

 

266,800

 

 

6,950,140

Harmonic, Inc.*

 

294,300

 

 

4,758,831

KVH Industries, Inc.*

 

91,000

 

 

831,740

       

 

20,945,394

       

 

 

Construction & Engineering – 3.0%

     

 

 

Granite Construction, Inc.

 

110,100

 

 

4,379,778

Sterling Construction Co. Inc.*

 

106,700

 

 

5,953,860

       

 

10,333,638

       

 

 

Consumer Finance – 1.7%

     

 

 

EZCORP, Inc.*

 

506,200

 

 

4,241,956

NerdWallet, Inc.*

 

187,700

 

 

1,766,257

       

 

6,008,213

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

9

 

OBERWEIS MICRO-CAP FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail – 1.5%

     

 

 

The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc.*

 

141,500

 

$

5,060,040

       

 

 

Electrical Equipment – 1.7%

     

 

 

Allied Motion Technologies, Inc.

 

56,600

 

 

2,260,604

LSI Industries, Inc.

 

283,700

 

 

3,563,272

       

 

5,823,876

       

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 3.3%

     

 

 

Bel Fuse, Inc.

 

96,500

 

 

5,540,065

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.

 

59,300

 

 

2,054,745

RF Industries Ltd.*

 

63,100

 

 

261,865

ScanSource, Inc.*

 

58,200

 

 

1,720,392

Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*

 

54,500

 

 

2,024,675

       

 

11,601,742

       

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services – 1.9%

     

 

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc.*

 

235,800

 

 

903,114

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

 

226,500

 

 

2,711,205

RPC, Inc.

 

407,200

 

 

2,911,480

       

 

6,525,799

       

 

 

Financial Services – 0.8%

     

 

 

International Money Express, Inc.*

 

108,300

 

 

2,656,599

       

 

 

Food Products – 1.0%

     

 

 

SunOpta, Inc.*

 

537,700

 

 

3,597,213

       

 

 

Healthcare Equipment & Supplies – 12.1%

     

 

 

Alphatec Hldgs., Inc.*

 

319,800

 

 

5,750,004

Artivion, Inc.*

 

211,300

 

 

3,632,247

Lantheus Hldgs., Inc.*

 

63,200

 

 

5,303,744

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

 

31,600

 

 

2,126,048

SI BONE, Inc.*

 

220,200

 

 

5,940,996

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*

 

294,950

 

 

7,353,104

TransMedics Group, Inc.*

 

66,600

 

 

5,593,068

Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.*

 

251,500

 

 

6,433,370

       

 

42,132,581

       

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 2.9%

     

 

 

Everi Hldgs. Inc.*

 

229,200

 

 

3,314,232

Full House Resorts, Inc.*

 

223,143

 

 

1,495,058

Playa Hotels & Resorts NV*

 

655,300

 

 

5,334,142

       

 

10,143,432

       

 

 

Household Durables – 1.0%

     

 

 

M/I Homes, Inc.*

 

40,400

 

 

3,522,476

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

10

 

OBERWEIS MICRO-CAP FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Insurance – 1.0%

     

 

 

Employers Hldgs., Inc.

 

95,100

 

$

3,557,691

       

 

 

Machinery – 3.5%

     

 

 

Blue Bird Corp.*

 

301,300

 

 

6,773,224

Circor International, Inc.*

 

95,000

 

 

5,362,750

       

 

12,135,974

       

 

 

Media – 3.0%

     

 

 

Magnite, Inc.*

 

340,700

 

 

4,650,555

Perion Network Ltd.*

 

194,500

 

 

5,965,315

       

 

10,615,870

       

 

 

Metals & Mining – 1.1%

     

 

 

Haynes International, Inc.

 

72,600

 

 

3,689,532

       

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.9%

     

 

 

Earthstone Energy, Inc.*

 

223,000

 

 

3,186,670

       

 

 

Passenger Airlines – 1.4%

     

 

 

Sun Country Airlines Hldgs., Inc.*

 

213,200

 

 

4,792,736

       

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.4%

     

 

 

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

87,100

 

 

5,005,637

       

 

 

Professional Services – 1.5%

     

 

 

ICF International, Inc.

 

42,600

 

 

5,299,014

       

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 21.0%

     

 

 

ACM Research, Inc.*

 

285,600

 

 

3,735,648

Aehr Test Systems*

 

432,400

 

 

17,836,500

Amtech Systems, Inc.*

 

118,900

 

 

1,136,684

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

 

75,300

 

 

13,804,749

Camtek Ltd.*

 

148,202

 

 

5,280,437

CVD Equipment Corp.*

 

103,000

 

 

759,110

Impinj, Inc.*

 

52,700

 

 

4,724,555

Navitas Semiconductor Corp.*

 

640,000

 

 

6,745,600

PDF Solutions, Inc.*

 

54,500

 

 

2,457,950

Photronics, Inc.*

 

194,700

 

 

5,021,313

Ultra Clean Hldgs., Inc.*

 

170,900

 

 

6,572,814

Veeco Instruments, Inc.*

 

202,500

 

 

5,200,200

       

 

73,275,560

       

 

 

Software – 5.4%

     

 

 

A10 Networks, Inc.

 

208,600

 

 

3,043,474

Model N, Inc.*

 

146,618

 

 

5,184,412

OneSpan, Inc.*

 

416,845

 

 

6,185,980

Weave Communications, Inc.*

 

394,500

 

 

4,382,895

       

 

18,796,761

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

11

 

OBERWEIS MICRO-CAP FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Specialty Retail – 2.0%

     

 

 

Boot Barn Hldgs., Inc.*

 

37,800

 

$

3,201,282

Caleres, Inc.

 

66,900

 

 

1,600,917

Destination XL Group, Inc.*

 

415,700

 

 

2,036,930

       

 

6,839,129

       

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.7%

     

 

 

Oxford Industries, Inc.

 

27,600

 

 

2,716,392

       

 

 

Trading Co. & Distribution – 3.9%

     

 

 

Alta Equipment Group, Inc.

 

110,100

 

 

1,908,033

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

 

82,100

 

 

3,756,075

MRC Global, Inc.*

 

223,400

 

 

2,249,638

Veritiv Corp.

 

47,548

 

 

5,972,504

       

 

13,886,250

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $273,509,722)

     

$

341,439,854

       

 

 

Total Investments – 97.9%

     

 

 

(Cost: $273,509,722)

     

$

341,439,854

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.1%

     

 

7,330,929

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

348,770,783

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

12

 

OBERWEIS SMALL-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 97.1%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Aerospace & Defense – 3.9%

     

 

 

Hexcel Corp.

 

59,000

 

$

4,485,180

Parsons Corp.*

 

90,400

 

 

4,351,856

Woodward, Inc.

 

37,100

 

 

4,411,561

       

 

13,248,597

       

 

 

Automobile Components – 1.8%

     

 

 

Visteon Corp.*

 

42,600

 

 

6,117,786

       

 

 

Banks – 0.9%

     

 

 

First Merchants Corp.

 

54,800

 

 

1,547,004

Washington Federal, Inc.

 

58,200

 

 

1,543,464

       

 

3,090,468

       

 

 

Beverages – 1.4%

     

 

 

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

 

44,700

 

 

4,750,716

       

 

 

Biotechnology – 1.4%

     

 

 

Veracyte, Inc.*

 

184,500

 

 

4,699,215

       

 

 

Building Products – 1.2%

     

 

 

Janus International Group, Inc.*

 

224,700

 

 

2,395,302

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.*

 

12,600

 

 

1,745,100

       

 

4,140,402

       

 

 

Chemicals – 2.0%

     

 

 

Cabot Corp.

 

40,800

 

 

2,729,112

Quaker Chemical Corp.

 

20,800

 

 

4,053,920

       

 

6,783,032

       

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies – 2.2%

     

 

 

ABM Industries, Inc.

 

68,500

 

 

2,921,525

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

 

28,200

 

 

4,636,926

       

 

7,558,451

       

 

 

Communications Equipment – 0.9%

     

 

 

Ciena Corp.*

 

75,400

 

 

3,203,746

       

 

 

Construction & Engineering – 0.5%

     

 

 

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

 

10,500

 

 

1,724,100

       

 

 

Consumer Finance – 1.1%

     

 

 

FirstCash Hldgs., Inc.

 

40,100

 

 

3,742,533

       

 

 

Containers & Packaging – 1.1%

     

 

 

O-I Glass, Inc.*

 

168,100

 

 

3,585,573

       

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services – 1.1%

     

 

 

Frontdoor, Inc.*

 

117,700

 

 

3,754,630

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

13

 

OBERWEIS SMALL-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Electrical Equipment – 2.6%

     

 

 

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.*

 

139,600

 

$

3,568,176

Vertiv Hldgs. Co.*

 

212,300

 

 

5,258,671

       

 

8,826,847

       

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 3.3%

     

 

 

Belden, Inc.

 

49,900

 

 

4,772,935

Littelfuse, Inc.

 

15,200

 

 

4,427,912

Novanta, Inc.*

 

10,600

 

 

1,951,460

       

 

11,152,307

       

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services – 2.2%

     

 

 

Liberty Energy, Inc.

 

109,900

 

 

1,469,363

NOV, Inc.

 

94,500

 

 

1,515,780

Weatherford International PLC*

 

68,500

 

 

4,549,770

       

 

7,534,913

       

 

 

Healthcare Equipment & Supplies – 11.4%

     

 

 

Alphatec Hldgs., Inc.*

 

262,500

 

 

4,719,750

Axonics, Inc.*

 

86,900

 

 

4,385,843

Haemonetics Corp.*

 

47,500

 

 

4,044,150

Inmode Ltd.*

 

103,600

 

 

3,869,460

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.*

 

7,650

 

 

2,483,496

Lantheus Hldgs., Inc.*

 

68,300

 

 

5,731,736

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

 

67,200

 

 

5,620,608

Shockwave Medical, Inc.*

 

9,050

 

 

2,582,961

TransMedics Group, Inc.*

 

60,400

 

 

5,072,392

       

 

38,510,396

       

 

 

Healthcare Providers & Services – 4.7%

     

 

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

 

43,800

 

 

3,488,232

Encompass Health Corp.

 

78,100

 

 

5,288,151

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

 

213,000

 

 

3,422,910

Option Care Health, Inc.*

 

111,000

 

 

3,606,390

       

 

15,805,683

       

 

 

Healthcare Technology – 1.5%

     

 

 

Evolent Health, Inc.*

 

169,400

 

 

5,132,820

       

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 3.3%

     

 

 

Monarch Casino and Resort, Inc.

 

45,200

 

 

3,184,340

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.*

 

79,600

 

 

4,458,396

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

 

16,700

 

 

1,875,076

Wingstop, Inc.

 

7,600

 

 

1,521,216

       

 

11,039,028

       

 

 

Insurance – 0.9%

     

 

 

Unum Group

 

62,600

 

 

2,986,020

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

14

 

OBERWEIS SMALL-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Machinery – 6.3%

     

 

 

Allison Transmission Hldgs., Inc.

 

77,400

 

$

4,370,004

Federal Signal Corp.

 

73,900

 

 

4,731,817

Flowserve Corp.

 

119,200

 

 

4,428,280

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

 

40,900

 

 

4,208,610

SPX Technologies, Inc.*

 

41,500

 

 

3,526,255

       

 

21,264,966

       

 

 

Media – 1.4%

     

 

 

Perion Network Ltd.*

 

151,800

 

 

4,655,706

       

 

 

Metals & Mining – 1.4%

     

 

 

ATI, Inc.*

 

106,800

 

 

4,723,764

       

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.9%

     

 

 

Comstock Resources, Inc.

 

135,100

 

 

1,567,160

International Seaways, Inc.

 

74,800

 

 

2,860,352

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp.

 

77,400

 

 

1,617,660

Matador Resources Co.

 

38,300

 

 

2,003,856

PDC Energy, Inc.

 

24,700

 

 

1,757,158

       

 

9,806,186

       

 

 
       

 

 

Passenger Airlines – 1.1%

     

 

 

Allegiant Travel Co.*

 

30,400

 

 

3,838,912

       

 

 

Personal Care Products – 1.2%

     

 

 

Inter Parfums, Inc.

 

30,400

 

 

4,110,992

       

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 1.6%

     

 

 

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

60,700

 

 

3,488,429

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

85,000

 

 

1,833,450

       

 

5,321,879

       

 

 

Professional Services – 4.2%

     

 

 

Alight, Inc.*

 

361,300

 

 

3,338,412

ICF International, Inc.

 

37,600

 

 

4,677,064

Insperity, Inc.

 

18,000

 

 

2,141,280

Maximus, Inc.

 

47,800

 

 

4,039,578

       

 

14,196,334

       

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 18.0%

     

 

 

Aehr Test Systems*

 

440,408

 

 

18,166,830

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.*

 

152,000

 

 

6,861,280

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

 

74,900

 

 

13,731,417

FormFactor, Inc.*

 

143,000

 

 

4,893,460

Impinj, Inc.*

 

52,200

 

 

4,679,730

MACOM Technology Solutions Hldgs., Inc.*

 

55,700

 

 

3,650,021

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

15

 

OBERWEIS SMALL-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Power Integrations, Inc.

 

56,600

 

$

5,358,322

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

 

20,850

 

 

3,288,879

       

 

60,629,939

       

 

 

Software – 2.8%

     

 

 

Alteryx, Inc.*

 

56,200

 

 

2,551,480

New Relic, Inc.*

 

45,300

 

 

2,964,432

Zeta Global Hldgs. Corp.*

 

474,500

 

 

4,052,229

       

 

9,568,141

       

 

 

Specialty Retail – 0.4%

     

 

 

Murphy USA, Inc.

 

4,800

 

 

1,493,328

       

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 1.0%

     

 

 

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

 

13,100

 

 

3,265,175

       

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 3.3%

     

 

 

Crocs, Inc.*

 

50,900

 

 

5,723,196

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

 

9,300

 

 

4,907,238

       

 

10,630,434

       

 

 

Trading Co. & Distribution – 2.1%

     

 

 

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

 

24,400

 

 

3,533,852

Veritiv Corp.

 

25,242

 

 

3,170,648

       

 

6,704,500

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $284,139,546)

     

$

327,597,519

       

 

 

Total Investments – 97.1%

     

 

 

(Cost: $284,139,546)

     

$

327,597,519

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.9%

     

 

9,701,188

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

337,298,707

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

16

 

OBERWEIS GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 94.4%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Brazil – 1.4%

     

 

 

Vamos Locacao de Caminhoes Maquinas e Equipamentos SA

 

300,000

 

$

758,740

       

 

 

Canada – 5.4%

     

 

 

ATS Corp.*

 

25,000

 

 

1,150,174

BRP, Inc.

 

8,800

 

 

743,895

Element Fleet Management Corp.

 

33,800

 

 

514,858

Stantec, Inc.

 

8,500

 

 

554,925

       

 

2,963,852

       

 

 

China – 1.1%

     

 

 

MINISO Group Hldg. Ltd. ADS*

 

35,000

 

 

594,650

       

 

 

Finland – 1.1%

     

 

 

Kemira Oyj

 

38,000

 

 

604,998

       

 

 

France – 2.3%

     

 

 

Rexel SA

 

29,700

 

 

732,777

Sopra Steria Group SA

 

2,600

 

 

518,638

       

 

1,251,415

       

 

 

Germany – 5.1%

     

 

 

AIXTRON SE

 

30,000

 

 

1,017,787

Elmos Semiconductor SE

 

14,800

 

 

1,214,491

Gerresheimer AG

 

5,000

 

 

562,527

       

 

2,794,805

       

 

 

Israel – 3.7%

     

 

 

Inmode Ltd.*

 

19,400

 

 

724,590

Perion Network Ltd.*

 

43,200

 

 

1,324,944

       

 

2,049,534

       

 

 

Japan – 8.1%

     

 

 

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

46,000

 

 

1,711,272

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

 

14,000

 

 

610,278

Future Corp.

 

84,400

 

 

998,446

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.*

 

26,000

 

 

1,171,752

       

 

4,491,748

       

 

 

Netherlands – 1.4%

     

 

 

Be Semiconductor Industries NV*

 

7,200

 

 

780,183

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

17

 

OBERWEIS GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Sweden – 2.9%

     

 

 

HMS Networks AB

 

21,900

 

$

1,072,116

Saab AB

 

10,000

 

 

540,731

       

 

1,612,847

       

 

 

Taiwan – 2.7%

     

 

 

M31 Technology Corp.*

 

48,000

 

 

1,493,426

       

 

 

United Kingdom – 7.3%

     

 

 

Ashtead Technology Hldgs. PLC

 

459,400

 

 

2,228,738

Oxford Instruments PLC

 

19,200

 

 

665,685

Premier Foods PLC

 

365,400

 

 

591,211

Whitbread PLC*

 

12,900

 

 

554,729

       

 

4,040,363

       

 

 

United States of America – 51.9%

     

 

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

 

7,600

 

 

605,264

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.*

 

20,000

 

 

902,800

Alphatec Hldgs., Inc.*

 

105,300

 

 

1,893,294

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

 

14,329

 

 

2,626,936

Axonics, Inc.*

 

18,700

 

 

943,789

Bel Fuse, Inc.

 

25,000

 

 

1,435,250

Belden, Inc.

 

24,500

 

 

2,343,425

Cabot Corp.

 

8,400

 

 

561,876

Ciena Corp.*

 

19,000

 

 

807,310

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

 

7,900

 

 

1,298,997

Comstock Resources, Inc.

 

64,900

 

 

752,840

Crocs, Inc.*

 

9,500

 

 

1,068,180

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

 

2,200

 

 

1,160,852

Evolent Health, Inc.*

 

29,600

 

 

896,880

Extreme Networks, Inc.*

 

25,000

 

 

651,250

Impinj, Inc.*

 

19,030

 

 

1,706,040

Lantheus Hldgs., Inc.*

 

15,500

 

 

1,300,760

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

 

10,000

 

 

836,400

Model N, Inc.*

 

16,200

 

 

572,832

Power Integrations, Inc.*

 

10,000

 

 

946,700

RPC, Inc.

 

159,000

 

 

1,136,850

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

 

4,200

 

 

662,508

Veracyte, Inc.*

 

57,100

 

 

1,454,337

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

18

 

OBERWEIS GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Vertiv Hldgs. Co.*

 

32,500

 

$

805,025

Visteon Corp.*

 

4,600

 

 

660,606

Weatherford International PLC*

 

8,800

 

 

584,496

       

 

28,615,497

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $42,345,299)

     

$

52,052,058

       

 

 

Total Investments – 94.4%

     

 

 

(Cost: $42,345,299)

     

$

52,052,058

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 5.6%

     

 

3,071,663

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

55,123,721

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

ADS—American depositary share

SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

Communication Services

 

2.4

%

Consumer Discretionary

 

8.7

%

Consumer Staples

 

3.2

%

Energy

 

4.5

%

Financials

 

0.9

%

Healthcare

 

16.7

%

Industrials

 

18.9

%

Information Technology

 

37.0

%

Materials

 

2.1

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

19

 

OBERWEIS CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 97.9%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Automobiles – 3.6%

     

 

 

BYD Co. Ltd.

 

20,000

 

$

641,293

Li Auto, Inc. ADS*

 

33,000

 

 

1,158,300

       

 

1,799,593

       

 

 

Banks – 1.3%

     

 

 

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd.

 

1,400,000

 

 

658,229

       

 

 

Beverages – 4.2%

     

 

 

China Resources Beer Hldgs. Co. Ltd.

 

120,000

 

 

792,986

Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd.*

 

25,000

 

 

722,279

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd.

 

25,000

 

 

564,383

       

 

2,079,648

       

 

 

Biotechnology – 1.7%

     

 

 

Legend Biotech Corp. ADS*

 

12,000

 

 

828,360

       

 

 

Broadline Retail – 9.0%

     

 

 

Alibaba Group Hldg. Ltd.*

 

230,000

 

 

2,394,260

MINISO Group Hldg. Ltd. ADS*

 

60,000

 

 

1,019,400

PDD Hldgs. ADS*

 

16,000

 

 

1,106,240

       

 

4,519,900

       

 

 

Chemicals – 1.3%

     

 

 

Nanjing Cosmos Chemical Co. Ltd.

 

25,000

 

 

271,378

Tianqi Lithium Corp.*

 

55,000

 

 

384,444

       

 

655,822

       

 

 

Communications Equipment – 1.2%

     

 

 

Accton Technology Corp.*

 

55,000

 

 

618,651

       

 

 

Construction & Engineering – 0.5%

     

 

 

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd.*

 

550,000

 

 

271,547

       

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services – 1.2%

     

 

 

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc.*

 

155,000

 

 

610,972

       

 

 

Electrical Equipment – 5.8%

     

 

 

Chung-Hsin Electric & Machinery
Manufacturing Corp.*

 

150,000

 

 

662,579

Fortune Electric Co. Ltd.*

 

120,000

 

 

570,580

Phihong Technology Co. Ltd.*

 

150,000

 

 

377,474

Ta Ya Electric Wire & Cable*

 

500,000

 

 

622,341

Teco Electric and Machinery Co. Ltd.

 

400,000

 

 

686,335

       

 

2,919,309

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

20

 

OBERWEIS CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 1.7%

     

 

 

Cowell e Hldgs., Inc.*

 

300,000

 

$

556,558

Global Brands Manufacture Ltd.*

 

200,000

 

 

295,522

       

 

852,080

       

 

 

Entertainment – 6.0%

     

 

 

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

 

80,000

 

 

316,204

NetEase, Inc.

 

90,000

 

 

1,743,202

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADS*

 

125,000

 

 

922,500

       

 

2,981,906

       

 

 

Ground Transportation – 1.3%

     

 

 

Guangshen Railway Co. Ltd.*

 

2,000,000

 

 

633,920

       

 

 

Healthcare Equipment & Supplies – 0.4%

     

 

 

AK Medical Hldgs. Ltd.

 

230,000

 

 

200,419

       

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 8.7%

     

 

 

H World Group Ltd.*

 

90,000

 

 

348,783

Meituan*

 

100,000

 

 

1,568,092

Sands China Ltd.*

 

250,000

 

 

856,180

Trip.com Group Ltd.*

 

30,000

 

 

1,047,283

Wowprime Corp.*

 

50,000

 

 

512,796

       

 

4,333,134

       

 

 

Household Durables – 1.8%

     

 

 

Hisense Home Appliances Group Co. Ltd.*

 

350,000

 

 

901,299

       

 

 

Insurance – 2.9%

     

 

 

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.*

 

450,000

 

 

753,291

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd.

 

110,000

 

 

702,561

       

 

1,455,852

       

 

 

Interactive Media & Services – 6.2%

     

 

 

Baidu, Inc.*

 

45,000

 

 

767,510

Tencent Hldgs. Ltd.

 

55,000

 

 

2,332,065

       

 

3,099,575

       

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.4%

     

 

 

Wuxi Biologics (Cayman), Inc.*

 

45,000

 

 

216,273

       

 

 

Machinery – 4.0%

     

 

 

Lucky Harvest Co. Ltd.

 

70,000

 

 

537,625

Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co. Ltd.*

 

190,000

 

 

568,760

Waffer Technology Corp.*

 

180,000

 

 

901,205

       

 

2,007,590

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

21

 

OBERWEIS CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Media – 1.1%

     

 

 

Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd.*

 

600,000

 

$

562,657

       

 

 

Metals & Mining – 2.5%

     

 

 

CMOC Group Ltd.

 

501,000

 

 

263,773

Gloria Material Technology Corp.

 

250,000

 

 

464,518

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd.

 

350,000

 

 

518,310

       

 

1,246,601

       

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.1%

     

 

 

PetroChina Co. Ltd.

 

1,500,000

 

 

1,041,539

       

 

 

Passenger Airlines – 0.8%

     

 

 

China Airlines Ltd.*

 

480,000

 

 

405,333

       

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%

     

 

 

Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co. Ltd.

 

230,000

 

 

422,098

       

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development – 3.2%

     

 

 

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.

 

221,538

 

 

1,103,517

Longfor Group Hldgs. Ltd.

 

200,000

 

 

488,389

       

 

1,591,906

       

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 8.7%

     

 

 

Alchip Technologies Ltd.*

 

20,000

 

 

1,158,485

Global Unichip Corp.

 

14,000

 

 

724,616

M31 Technology Corp.*

 

45,000

 

 

1,408,412

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADS

 

10,500

 

 

1,059,660

       

 

4,351,173

       

 

 

Specialty Retail – 0.9%

     

 

 

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.*

 

17,000

 

 

444,881

       

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 10.9%

     

 

 

Aopen, Inc.*

 

130,000

 

 

400,653

Asia Vital Components Co. Ltd.*

 

60,000

 

 

523,141

Getac Hldgs. Corp.*

 

250,000

 

 

538,330

Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd.*

 

70,000

 

 

548,965

Innodisk Corp.*

 

70,000

 

 

730,136

Lite-On Technology Corp.*

 

80,000

 

 

266,395

Qisda Corp.*

 

150,000

 

 

221,475

Quanta Computer, Inc.*

 

160,000

 

 

781,418

Wistron Corp.*

 

500,000

 

 

1,458,884

       

 

5,469,397

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

22

 

OBERWEIS CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 3.7%

     

 

 

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

 

75,000

 

$

405,013

Makalot Industrial Co. Ltd.*

 

80,000

 

 

778,025

PRADA SpA

 

90,000

 

 

605,542

       

 

1,788,580

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $46,011,468)

     

$

48,968,244

       

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.7%

     

 

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio Class I 4.99%b

 

861,040

 

 

861,040

       

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

     

 

 

(Cost: $861,040)

     

$

861,040

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.6%

     

 

 

(Cost: $46,872,508)

     

$

49,829,284

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.4%

     

 

209,636

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

50,038,920

a Certain securities were fair valued under the discretion of the Board of Trustees

b Annualized seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2023.

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

ADS—American depositary share

COUNTRY ALLOCATION (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

China ( Includes the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong)

 

97.9

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

23

 

OBERWEIS International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 98.9%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Australia – 3.3%

     

 

 

GrainCorp Ltd.*

 

435,700

 

$

2,272,536

JB Hi-Fi Ltd.

 

49,200

 

 

1,433,853

Super Retail Group Ltd.

 

87,900

 

 

669,263

       

 

4,375,652

       

 

 

Belgium – 0.4%

     

 

 

Barco NV

 

20,500

 

 

510,934

       

 

 

Canada – 13.7%

     

 

 

Ag Growth International, Inc.

 

49,300

 

 

1,885,591

ATS Corp.*

 

101,800

 

 

4,683,507

BRP, Inc.

 

18,100

 

 

1,530,057

Element Fleet Management Corp.

 

231,400

 

 

3,524,798

Finning International, Inc.

 

54,500

 

 

1,676,385

Parex Resources, Inc.

 

109,224

 

 

2,189,757

Stantec, Inc.

 

43,100

 

 

2,813,798

       

 

18,303,893

       

 

 

Denmark – 3.4%

     

 

 

D/S Norden A/S

 

5,100

 

 

254,421

Demant A/S*

 

51,400

 

 

2,173,210

Jyske Bank A/S*

 

6,500

 

 

493,823

NKT A/S*

 

26,000

 

 

1,576,727

       

 

4,498,181

       

 

 

Finland – 4.0%

     

 

 

Cargotec Oyj

 

30,100

 

 

1,653,792

Metso Corp.

 

176,500

 

 

2,127,283

Outokumpu Oyj

 

161,200

 

 

862,290

Valmet Oyj

 

23,100

 

 

642,283

       

 

5,285,648

       

 

 

France – 9.4%

     

 

 

Alten SA*

 

11,700

 

 

1,842,329

Edenred SA

 

58,600

 

 

3,922,440

Rexel SA

 

99,500

 

 

2,454,927

Sopra Steria Group SACA

 

9,900

 

 

1,974,814

Spie SA

 

72,000

 

 

2,325,622

       

 

12,520,132

       

 

 

Germany – 7.1%

     

 

 

AIXTRON SE

 

45,000

 

 

1,526,680

CTS Eventim AG & Co.*

 

39,500

 

 

2,493,534

Gerresheimer AG

 

31,500

 

 

3,543,922

Hugo Boss AG

 

19,500

 

 

1,522,294

Krones AG

 

2,900

 

 

351,582

       

 

9,438,012

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

24

 

OBERWEIS International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Italy – 4.0%

     

 

 

Brunello Cucinelli SpA

 

20,800

 

$

1,829,419

Davide Campari-Milano NV*

 

249,300

 

 

3,452,223

       

 

5,281,642

       

 

 

Japan – 20.7%

     

 

 

ABC-Mart, Inc.*

 

45,300

 

 

2,450,931

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

183,000

 

 

6,807,887

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

 

605,800

 

 

3,108,034

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

 

47,800

 

 

2,083,662

Future Corp.

 

201,100

 

 

2,378,999

Information Services International-Dentsu Ltd.

 

35,900

 

 

1,253,931

M&A Capital Partners Co. Ltd.*

 

14,700

 

 

339,243

Nissin Foods Hldgs. Co. Ltd.

 

38,100

 

 

3,144,745

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.*

 

79,000

 

 

670,948

Sundrug Co. Ltd.*

 

43,800

 

 

1,295,529

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

 

77,700

 

 

3,501,737

Toyo Tanso Co. Ltd.*

 

18,300

 

 

649,336

       

 

27,684,982

       

 

 

Netherlands – 5.0%

     

 

 

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

 

30,000

 

 

3,250,764

Constellium SE*

 

202,800

 

 

3,488,160

       

 

6,738,924

       

 

 

Norway – 1.9%

     

 

 

Aker Solutions ASA

 

521,100

 

 

1,888,536

Subsea 7 SA

 

50,700

 

 

631,294

       

 

2,519,830

       

 

 

Sweden – 5.6%

     

 

 

AAK AB*

 

51,500

 

 

968,365

AddTech AB*

 

53,000

 

 

1,153,819

Alleima AB

 

72,600

 

 

330,239

Indutrade AB*

 

5,700

 

 

128,371

Saab AB

 

75,400

 

 

4,077,112

SSAB AB*

 

132,300

 

 

939,866

       

 

7,597,772

       

 

 

United Kingdom – 20.4%

     

 

 

B&M European Value Retail SA

 

194,400

 

 

1,375,169

Games Workshop Group PLC*

 

10,000

 

 

1,386,843

IMI PLC

 

84,500

 

 

1,759,970

Indivior PLC*

 

114,600

 

 

2,653,236

Informa PLC*

 

72,000

 

 

663,856

Keywords Studios PLC

 

57,400

 

 

1,319,456

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

25

 

OBERWEIS International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Marks and Spencer Group PLC*

 

963,300

 

$

2,357,479

Melrose Industries PLC*

 

131,300

 

 

844,095

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

 

30,600

 

 

711,176

Oxford Instruments PLC*

 

76,100

 

 

2,638,468

Spectris PLC

 

54,800

 

 

2,501,981

Telecom Plus PLC*

 

65,700

 

 

1,410,122

The Sage Group PLC

 

439,700

 

 

5,164,269

Whitbread PLC

 

61,300

 

 

2,636,039

       

 

27,422,159

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $117,990,871)

     

$

132,177,761

       

 

 

Rights – 0.1%

     

 

 

Denmark – 0.1%

     

 

 

NKT A/S*

 

6,500

 

 

151,271

       

 

 

Total Rights

     

 

 

(Cost: $ 0)

     

$

151,271

       

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 0.4%

     

 

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government
Portfolio Class I 4.99%a

 

476,468

 

 

476,468

       

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

     

 

 

(Cost: $476,468)

     

$

476,468

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.4%

     

 

 

(Cost: $118,467,339)

     

$

132,805,500

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.6%

     

 

808,016

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

133,613,516

a Annualized seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2023.

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

Communication Services

 

2.4

%

Consumer Discretionary

 

11.1

%

Consumer Staples

 

12.7

%

Energy

 

3.5

%

Financials

 

8.5

%

Healthcare

 

6.8

%

Industrials

 

30.5

%

Information Technology

 

18.2

%

Materials

 

4.2

%

Utilities

 

1.1

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

26

 

OBERWEIS Emerging Markets Fund

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 94.7%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Argentina – 1.5%

     

 

 

Arcos Dorados Hldgs., Inc.

 

23,200

 

$

237,800

       

 

 

Brazil – 5.2%

     

 

 

Hypera SA*

 

21,200

 

 

203,712

Petro Rio SA*

 

27,200

 

 

210,638

TOTVS SA

 

25,500

 

 

159,661

Vamos Locacao de Caminhoes Maquinas e Equipamentos SA

 

95,000

 

 

240,268

       

 

814,279

       

 

 

Canada – 1.0%

     

 

 

Orla Mining Ltd.*

 

35,600

 

 

149,408

       

 

 

Chile – 1.1%

     

 

 

Embotelladora Andina SA*

 

66,700

 

 

174,787

       

 

 

China – 12.0%

     

 

 

AK Medical Hldgs. Ltd.

 

191,000

 

 

166,435

Chongqing Brewery Co. Ltd.

 

24,000

 

 

304,773

Dada Nexus Ltd. ADS*

 

22,800

 

 

121,068

Glodon Co. Ltd.

 

25,480

 

 

114,137

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd.

 

12,800

 

 

113,511

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.*

 

210,000

 

 

281,997

OPT Machine Vision Tech Co. Ltd.*

 

13,800

 

 

313,833

Xiabuxiabu Catering Management
China Hldgs. Co. Ltd.*

 

290,000

 

 

136,811

Zhejiang Shuanghuan Driveline Co. Ltd.

 

62,616

 

 

313,404

       

 

1,865,969

       

 

 

France – 1.0%

     

 

 

Gaztransport & Technigaz SA

 

1,550

 

 

157,794

       

 

 

Greece – 1.4%

     

 

 

Greek Organization of Football Prognostics SA

 

12,500

 

 

217,983

       

 

 

Hungary – 1.5%

     

 

 

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

 

9,200

 

 

227,126

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

27

 

OBERWEIS Emerging Markets Fund

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

India – 21.6%

     

 

 

Affle India Ltd.*

 

13,400

 

$

179,590

AMI Organics Ltd.*

 

10,300

 

 

160,011

C.E. Info Systems Ltd.*

 

13,500

 

 

198,878

Cera Sanitaryware Ltd.

 

3,332

 

 

311,626

Emudhra Ltd.

 

48,900

 

 

257,013

Federal Bank Ltd.*

 

103,000

 

 

158,873

Kaynes Technology India Ltd.*

 

11,100

 

 

204,393

KEI Industries Ltd.*

 

8,198

 

 

232,023

KPIT Technologies Ltd.

 

18,500

 

 

246,635

Linde India Ltd.*

 

3,000

 

 

158,163

Navin Fluorine International Ltd*

 

4,300

 

 

236,364

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd*

 

4,000

 

 

188,621

Route Mobile Ltd.*

 

14,000

 

 

272,484

Tube Investments of India Ltd.

 

4,300

 

 

166,790

TVS Motor Co. Ltd.*

 

12,000

 

 

194,446

Varun Beverages Ltd.

 

18,236

 

 

178,821

       

 

3,344,731

       

 

 

Indonesia – 8.5%

     

 

 

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk*

 

340,700

 

 

257,357

PT Kalbe Farma Tbk

 

1,585,000

 

 

216,910

PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk*

 

2,158,900

 

 

243,655

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk

 

1,502,500

 

 

258,899

PT Samator Indo Gas Tbk

 

1,292,700

 

 

162,099

PT United Tractors Tbk

 

112,000

 

 

173,701

       

 

1,312,621

       

 

 

Japan – 1.2%

     

 

 

RS Technologies Co. Ltd.*

 

8,000

 

 

178,596

       

 

 

Malaysia – 1.5%

     

 

 

CTOS Digital Bhd

 

777,800

 

 

232,298

       

 

 

Mexico – 6.6%

     

 

 

Alsea, S.A.B. de CV*

 

88,300

 

 

286,355

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion,
S.A.B de CV ADS*

 

12,000

 

 

167,400

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte
SAB de CV ADS

 

2,700

 

 

229,068

Prologis Property Mexico SA de CV

 

49,200

 

 

182,808

Regional SAB de CV

 

22,300

 

 

161,573

       

 

1,027,204

       

 

 

Philippines – 0.9%

     

 

 

Wilcon Depot, Inc.

 

324,800

 

 

142,101

       

 

 

Poland – 1.6%

     

 

 

Dino Polska SA*

 

2,100

 

 

245,347

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

28

 

OBERWEIS Emerging Markets Fund

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

South Africa – 1.0%

     

 

 

Clicks Group Ltd.

 

10,980

 

$

152,432

       

 

 

South Korea – 8.0%

     

 

 

Classys, Inc.

 

12,727

 

 

313,488

LEENO Industrial, Inc.

 

2,938

 

 

330,132

Park Systems Corp.

 

2,056

 

 

294,716

Tokai Carbon Korea Co. Ltd.*

 

3,450

 

 

303,327

       

 

1,241,663

       

 

 

Taiwan – 17.0%

     

 

 

91APP, Inc.*

 

39,000

 

 

179,159

Alchip Technologies Ltd.*

 

7,000

 

 

405,470

Andes Technology Corp.

 

9,000

 

 

138,264

ASPEED Technology, Inc.

 

2,400

 

 

221,051

Chroma ATE, Inc.*

 

31,000

 

 

250,177

Ennoconn Corp.*

 

23,000

 

 

202,281

Innodisk Corp.*

 

23,881

 

 

249,091

M31 Technology Corp.*

 

9,000

 

 

281,682

Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd.*

 

27,000

 

 

320,770

Unimicron Technology Corp.*

 

43,000

 

 

244,527

Yageo Corp.*

 

9,551

 

 

151,312

       

 

2,643,784

       

 

 

Thailand – 0.8%

     

 

 

Mega Lifesciences PCL

 

111,300

 

 

117,878

       

 

 

United Kingdom – 1.3%

     

 

 

WAG Payment Solutions PLC*

 

173,000

 

 

194,224

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $12,796,260)

     

$

14,678,025

       

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 5.0%

     

 

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government
Portfolio Class I 4.99%b

 

783,040

 

 

783,040

       

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

     

 

 

(Cost: $783,040)

     

$

783,040

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.7%

     

 

 

(Cost: $13,579,300)

     

$

15,461,065

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.3%

     

 

54,119

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

15,515,184

a Certain securities were fair valued under the discretion of the Board of Trustees

b Annualized seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2023.

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

ADS—American depositary share

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

29

 

OBERWEIS Emerging Markets Fund

Schedule of Investmentsa June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

Communication Services

 

1.2

%

Consumer Discretionary

 

12.5

%

Consumer Staples

 

10.9

%

Energy

 

3.5

%

Financials

 

3.3

%

Healthcare

 

9.1

%

Industrials

 

11.5

%

Information Technology

 

36.9

%

Materials

 

4.6

%

Real Estate

 

1.2

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

30

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

   

Micro-Cap
Fund

 

Small-Cap
Opportunities
Fund

 

Global
Opportunities
Fund

 
   

ASSETS

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Investment securities at valuea

$

341,439,854

 

$

327,597,519

 

$

52,052,058

 
   

Cash

 

23,645,834

 

 

38,311,990

 

 

3,093,622

 
   

Receivable from securities sold

 

306,744

 

 

879,625

 

 

 
   

Dividends and interest receivable

 

121,169

 

 

119,111

 

 

45,495

 
   

Prepaid expenses

 

66,374

 

 

42,747

 

 

22,705

 
   

Total Assets

 

365,579,975

 

 

366,950,992

 

 

55,213,880

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

LIABILITIES

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Payable for securities purchased

 

16,459,210

 

 

29,375,707

 

 

 
   

Payable to advisor (see note 3)

 

262,099

 

 

191,245

 

 

37,810

 
   

Payable to distributor

 

38,504

 

 

38,533

 

 

7,467

 
   

Accrued expenses

 

49,379

 

 

46,800

 

 

44,882

 
   

Total Liabilities

 

16,809,192

 

 

29,652,285

 

 

90,159

 
   

NET ASSETS

$

348,770,783

 

$

337,298,707

 

$

55,123,721

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

NET ASSETS

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Investor Class

$

206,285,883

 

$

205,587,348

 

$

36,791,686

 
   

Institutional Class

 

142,484,900

 

 

131,711,359

 

 

18,332,035

 
   

Total

$

348,770,783

 

$

337,298,707

 

$

55,123,721

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value)

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Investor Class

 

5,499,470

 

 

9,425,806

 

 

1,350,523

 
   

Institutional Class

 

3,726,411

 

 

5,912,122

 

 

659,795

 
   

Total

 

9,225,881

 

 

15,337,928

 

 

2,010,318

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

NET ASSET VALUE

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

$

37.51

 

$

21.81

 

$

27.24

 
   

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

$

38.24

 

$

22.28

 

$

27.78

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Capital

$

285,096,398

 

$

304,476,618

 

$

51,598,632

 
   

Accumulated earnings

 

63,674,385

 

 

32,822,089

 

 

3,525,089

 
   

Net assets

$

348,770,783

 

$

337,298,707

 

$

55,123,721

 
     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

a Investment securities at cost

$

273,509,722

 

$

284,139,546

 

$

42,345,299

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

31

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

   

China
Opportunities
Fund

 

International
Opportunities
Fund

 

Emerging
Markets
Fund

 
   

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Investment securities at valuea

$

49,829,284

 

 

$

132,805,500

 

 

$

15,461,065

 
   

Cash

 

36,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,025

 
   

Foreign Currencyb

 

180,054

 

 

 

327,208

 

 

 

1,716

 
   

Receivable from securities sold

 

301,357

 

 

 

445,160

 

 

 

48,463

 
   

Dividends and interest receivable

 

225,904

 

 

 

941,769

 

 

 

12,689

 
   

Prepaid expenses

 

19,508

 

 

 

21,458

 

 

 

21,727

 
   

Total Assets

 

50,592,188

 

 

 

134,541,095

 

 

 

15,643,685

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Payable for securities purchased

 

441,564

 

 

 

556,383

 

 

 

 
   

Payable to advisor (see note 3)

 

51,855

 

 

 

97,570

 

 

 

3,653

 
   

Payable to distributor

 

8,348

 

 

 

27,728

 

 

 

594

 
   

Payable to Custodian

 

 

 

 

169,931

 

 

 

 
   

Accrued expenses

 

51,501

 

 

 

75,967

 

 

 

124,254

 
   

Total Liabilities

 

553,268

 

 

 

927,579

 

 

 

128,501

 
   

NET ASSETS

$

50,038,920

 

 

$

133,613,516

 

 

$

15,515,184

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Investor Class

$

40,158,967

 

 

$

133,613,516

 

 

$

2,931,368

 
   

Institutional Class

 

9,879,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,583,816

 
   

Total

$

50,038,920

 

 

$

133,613,516

 

 

$

15,515,184

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Investor Class

 

6,176,768

 

 

 

7,734,951

 

 

 

263,196

 
   

Institutional Class

 

1,492,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,115,422

 
   

Total

 

7,668,833

 

 

 

7,734,951

 

 

 

1,378,618

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

NET ASSET VALUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

$

6.50

 

 

$

17.27

 

 

$

11.14

 
   

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

$

6.62

 

 

$

 

 

$

11.28

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

Capital

$

76,345,623

 

 

$

167,713,345

 

 

$

15,015,333

 
   

Accumulated earnings (losses)

 

(26,306,703

)

 

 

(34,099,829

)

 

 

499,851

 
   

Net assets

$

50,038,920

 

 

$

133,613,516

 

 

$

15,515,184

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

a Investment securities at cost

$

46,872,508

 

 

$

118,467,339

 

 

$

13,579,300

 
   

b Foreign currency at cost

$

179,147

 

 

$

326,377

 

 

$

1,627

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

32

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Operations Period Ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

   

Micro-Cap
Fund

 

Small-Cap
Opportunities
Fund

 
   

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Dividends

$

514,013

 

 

$

852,419

 

 
   

Interest

 

266,787

 

 

 

184,521

 

 
   

Total investment income

 

780,800

 

 

 

1,036,940

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investment advisory fees (see note 3)

 

716,633

 

 

 

472,749

 

 
   

Management fees (see note 3)

 

477,755

 

 

 

472,749

 

 
   

Distribution fees and shareholder services
(see note 3)

 

172,036

 

 

 

175,978

 

 
   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

150,036

 

 

 

140,040

 

 
   

Custodian fees and expenses

 

9,072

 

 

 

6,107

 

 
   

Accounting services fees

 

47,571

 

 

 

47,105

 

 
   

Other

 

100,044

 

 

 

100,177

 

 
   

Total expenses before reimbursed expenses

 

1,673,147

 

 

 

1,414,905

 

 
   

Earnings credit (see note 6)

 

(5,627

)

 

 

(5,847

)

 
   

Expense reimbursement (see note 3)

 

 

 

 

(51,237

)

 
   

Total expenses

 

1,667,520

 

 

 

1,357,821

 

 
   

NET INVESTMENT LOSS

 

(886,720

)

 

 

(320,881

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) FROM INVESTMENTS

 

 
   

Net realized losses on investment transactions

 

(809,576

)

 

 

(6,361,437

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

 

42,912,063

 

 

 

36,045,740

 

 
   

Net realized/unrealized gains on investments

 

42,102,487

 

 

 

29,684,303

 

 
   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

$

41,215,767

 

 

$

29,363,422

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

33

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Operations Period Ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Global
Opportunities
Fund

China
Opportunities
Fund

International
Opportunities
Fund

Emerging
Markets
Fund

 
   

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Dividendsa

$

214,942

 

$

351,635

 

$

2,062,701

 

$

144,005

 

 
   

Interest

 

21,754

 

 

6,581

 

 

34,674

 

 

14,573

 

 
   

Total investment income

 

236,696

 

 

358,216

 

 

2,097,375

 

 

158,578

 

 
   

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investment advisory fees
(see note 3)

 

119,847

 

 

346,739

 

 

896,684

 

 

99,504

 

 
   

Management fees (see note 3)

 

107,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distribution fees and shareholder services (see note 3)

 

45,541

 

 

55,053

 

 

179,337

 

 

3,455

 

 
   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

31,049

 

 

49,452

 

 

136,392

 

 

15,686

 

 
   

Custodian fees and expenses

 

18,591

 

 

47,540

 

 

57,944

 

 

30,637

 

 
   

Accounting services fees

 

17,594

 

 

19,122

 

 

33,987

 

 

13,101

 

 
   

Federal and state registration fees

 

16,241

 

 

17,994

 

 

15,199

 

 

15,349

 

 
   

Audit fees

 

10,998

 

 

10,998

 

 

10,998

 

 

10,998

 

 
   

Other

 

20,376

 

 

21,731

 

 

47,421

 

 

8,739

 

 
   

Total expenses before reimbursed expenses

 

387,687

 

 

568,629

 

 

1,377,962

 

 

197,469

 

 
   

Earnings credit (see note 6)

 

(3,522

)

 

(3,966

)

 

(14,935

)

 

(7,377

)

 
   

Expense reimbursement
(see note 3)

 

 

 

 

 

(215,272

)

 

(67,233

)

 
   

Total Expenses

 

384,165

 

 

564,663

 

 

1,147,755

 

 

122,859

 

 
   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

 

(147,469

)

 

(206,447

)

 

949,620

 

 

35,719

 

 
   

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) FROM INVESTMENTS

 

 
   

Net realized losses on investment transactions

 

(342,281

)

 

(3,756,423

)

 

(5,558,840

)

 

(3,325

)

 
   

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(77,252

)

 
   

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions

 

1,770

 

 

12,462

 

 

1,954

 

 

(273

)

 
   

Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(340,511

)

 

(3,743,961

)

 

(5,556,886

)

 

(80,850

)

 
   

Change in net deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,917

 

 
   

Change in net unrealized
appreciation/depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

4,789,105

 

 

(1,536,441

)

 

9,783,337

 

 

1,382,629

 

 
   

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currencies

 

4,448,594

 

 

(5,280,402

)

 

4,226,451

 

 

1,344,696

 

 
   

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

$

4,301,125

 

$

(5,486,849

)

$

5,176,071

 

$

1,380,415

 

 

a       Dividends are net of foreign withholding tax of $31,343, $35,395, $237,832, and $19,586 for the Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Markets Fund respectively.

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

34

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

Micro-Cap Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment loss

$

(886,720

)

$

(1,252,328

)

 
   

Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions

 

(809,576

)

 

440,411

 

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

 

42,912,063

 

 

(16,127,343

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

41,215,767

 

 

(16,939,260

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

(1,309,953

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

(970,504

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(2,280,457

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

115,178,081

 

 

56,866,010

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

1,148,717

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(28,779,341

)

 

(37,721,248

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

86,398,740

 

 

20,293,479

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

59,453,968

 

 

48,191,773

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

535,090

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(7,194,792

)

 

(18,739,798

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share transactions

 

52,259,176

 

 

29,987,065

 

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

109,252

 

 

109,101

 

 
   

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

 

138,767,168

 

 

50,389,645

 

 
   

Total increase in net assets

 

179,982,935

 

 

31,169,928

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

168,787,848

 

 

137,617,920

 

 
   

End of period

$

348,770,783

 

$

168,787,848

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

3,309,149

 

 

1,782,331

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

36,306

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(853,074

)

 

(1,217,062

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

2,456,075

 

 

601,575

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

1,680,526

 

 

1,471,975

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

16,613

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(205,191

)

 

(610,465

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share transactions

 

1,475,335

 

 

878,123

 

 
   

Net increase from capital share transactions

 

3,931,410

 

 

1,479,698

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

35

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment loss

$

(320,881

)

$

(499,133

)

 
   

Net realized losses on investment transactions

 

(6,361,437

)

 

(3,923,184

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

 

36,045,740

 

 

450,435

 

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

29,363,422

 

 

(3,971,882

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

(161,156

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

(103,813

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(264,969

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

111,978,011

 

 

93,036,426

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

147,510

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(18,597,907

)

 

(13,146,967

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

93,380,104

 

 

80,036,969

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

72,946,380

 

 

55,903,334

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

95,053

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(15,317,947

)

 

(4,007,340

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share transactions

 

57,628,433

 

 

51,991,047

 

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

40,394

 

 

46,333

 

 
   

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

 

151,048,931

 

 

132,074,349

 

 
   

Total increase in net assets

 

180,412,353

 

 

127,837,498

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

156,886,354

 

 

29,048,856

 

 
   

End of period

$

337,298,707

 

$

156,886,354

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

5,405,341

 

 

4,858,138

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

7,699

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(906,400

)

 

(696,651

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

4,498,941

 

 

4,169,186

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

3,439,036

 

 

2,843,183

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

4,865

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(748,536

)

 

(206,936

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share transactions

 

2,690,500

 

 

2,641,112

 

 
   

Net increase from capital share transactions

 

7,189,441

 

 

6,810,298

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

36

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

   

Global Opportunities Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment loss

$

(147,469

)

$

(353,269

)

 
   

Net realized losses on investment and foreign currency transactions

 

(340,511

)

 

(5,696,680

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

4,789,105

 

 

(14,254,269

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

4,301,125

 

 

(20,304,218

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

(900,921

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

(426,487

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(1,327,408

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

1,998,142

 

 

2,803,731

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

817,261

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(3,020,611

)

 

(6,856,467

)

 
   

Net decrease from investor class share transactions

 

(1,022,469

)

 

(3,235,475

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

1,064,726

 

 

7,322,246

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

357,317

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(1,026,766

)

 

(7,869,826

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) from institutional class share transactions

 

37,960

 

 

(190,263

)

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

2,485

 

 

1,616

 

 
   

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

 

(982,024

)

 

(3,424,122

)

 
   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

3,319,101

 

 

(25,055,748

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

51,804,620

 

 

76,860,368

 

 
   

End of period

$

55,123,721

 

$

51,804,620

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

74,994

 

 

102,805

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

32,431

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(113,709

)

 

(257,569

)

 
   

Net decrease from investor class share transactions

 

(38,715

)

 

(122,333

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

40,323

 

 

275,023

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

13,920

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(37,210

)

 

(288,395

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share
transactions

 

3,113

 

 

548

 

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(35,602

)

 

(121,785

)

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

37

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

   

China Opportunities Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment loss

$

(206,447

)

$

(612,274

)

 
   

Net realized losses on investment and foreign currency transactions

 

(3,743,961

)

 

(24,276,628

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

(1,536,441

)

 

(10,954,305

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

 

(5,486,849

)

 

(35,843,207

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

(549,877

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

(120,710

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(670,587

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

1,386,812

 

 

4,872,214

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

520,397

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(2,950,760

)

 

(10,629,431

)

 
   

Net decrease from investor class share transactions

 

(1,563,948

)

 

(5,236,820

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

3,317,670

 

 

7,464,227

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

109,388

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(2,592,400

)

 

(5,794,362

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share
transactions

 

725,270

 

 

1,779,253

 

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

48,225

 

 

22,697

 

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(790,453

)

 

(3,434,870

)

 
   

Total decrease in net assets

 

(6,277,302

)

 

(39,948,664

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

56,316,222

 

 

96,264,886

 

 
   

End of period

$

50,038,920

 

$

56,316,222

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

184,638

 

 

567,266

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

71,680

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(418,818

)

 

(1,269,813

)

 
   

Net decrease from investor class share transactions

 

(234,180

)

 

(630,867

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

432,973

 

 

897,133

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

14,822

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(387,599

)

 

(771,295

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share
transactions

 

45,374

 

 

140,660

 

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(188,806

)

 

(490,207

)

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

38

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

   

International Opportunities Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment income

$

949,620

 

$

1,162,475

 

 
   

Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(5,556,886

)

 

(40,116,589

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

9,783,337

 

 

(68,979,632

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

5,176,071

 

 

(107,933,746

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

4,101,459

 

 

22,084,380

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(20,638,468

)

 

(79,575,084

)

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

4,510

 

 

38,129

 

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(16,532,499

)

 

(57,452,575

)

 
   

Total decrease in net assets

 

(11,356,428

)

 

(165,386,321

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

144,969,944

 

 

310,356,265

 

 
   

End of period

$

133,613,516

 

$

144,969,944

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

234,244

 

 

1,103,401

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(1,191,419

)

 

(4,123,116

)

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(957,175

)

 

(3,019,715

)

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

39

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

   

Emerging Markets Fund

 
     

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 
   

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Net investment income (loss)

$

35,719

 

$

(28,674

)

 
   

Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(80,850

)

 

(1,160,556

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

1,425,546

 

 

(2,592,626

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

1,380,415

 

 

(3,781,855

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

(42,452

)

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

(294,995

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(337,447

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

1,902,239

 

 

1,197,372

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

38,456

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(719,897

)

 

(743,874

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

1,182,342

 

 

491,954

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

2,608,506

 

 

3,351,358

 

 
   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

255,307

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(2,251,215

)

 

(948,787

)

 
   

Net increase from institutional class share transactions

 

357,291

 

 

2,657,878

 

 
   

Redemption fees (see note 5)

 

4,660

 

 

3,324

 

 
   

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

 

1,544,293

 

 

3,153,156

 

 
   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

2,924,708

 

 

(966,146

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Beginning of period

 

12,590,476

 

 

13,556,622

 

 
   

End of period

$

15,515,184

 

$

12,590,476

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investor Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

173,509

 

 

105,005

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

3,800

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(67,439

)

 

(72,461

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

106,070

 

 

36,344

 

 
   

Institutional Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Shares sold

 

234,994

 

 

283,306

 

 
   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

24,957

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(203,502

)

 

(90,401

)

 
   

Net increase from investor class share transactions

 

31,492

 

 

217,862

 

 
   

Net increase from capital share transactions

 

137,562

 

 

254,206

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

40

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

1. Description of Organization

Description of business.    The Oberweis Funds (the ‘‘Trust’’) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is authorized to operate numerous Funds under various trading strategies. The Trust consists of eight Funds of which six are in this report: the Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund, the Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis International Opportunities Fund, and the Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund (collectively, ‘‘the Funds’’) are each a series of the Trust. Each Fund in this report except for Oberweis International Opportunities Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Institutional Class. Oberweis International Opportunities Fund offers only Investor Class shares. Each class of shares has identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except each class may be subject to different class expenses as outlined in the relevant prospectus and each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters solely affecting such class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Funds are each an investment company and follow accounting and reporting guidance under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services — Investment Companies.”

Investment valuation.    Investments in securities are stated at value as of the close of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) (generally 3 p.m., Central Standard Time). Each listed and unlisted security for which last sale information is regularly reported is valued at the last reported sales price on that day. If there has been no sale on such day, then such security is valued at the current day’s bid price. Any unlisted security for which last sale information is not regularly reported and any listed debt security which has an inactive listed market for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available is valued at the closing bid price determined on the basis of reasonable inquiry. Restricted securities and any other securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued by appraisal at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board of Trustees. Short-term debt obligations, commercial paper and repurchase agreements are valued on the basis of quoted yields for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type or on the basis of amortized cost.

The Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis International Opportunities Fund and the Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund hold foreign equity securities. Foreign securities are fair valued as described in the following circumstances. Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is completed each day at various times prior to the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE. Due to the time differences between the closings of the relevant foreign securities exchanges and the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE for the Funds, the Funds will fair value their foreign investments when it is determined that the market quotations for the foreign investments either are not readily available or are unreliable and, therefore, do not represent fair value. When the fair value prices are utilized, these prices will attempt to reflect the impact of the U.S. financial markets’ perceptions and trading activities on the Funds’ foreign investments since the last closing prices of the foreign investments were calculated on their primary foreign securities

41

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

markets or exchanges. For these purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that movements in relevant indices, after the close of the foreign securities exchanges, may demonstrate that market quotations are unreliable, and may trigger fair value pricing for certain securities. Consequently, fair valuation of portfolio securities may occur on a daily basis. In determining fair value prices, the Trust utilizes data furnished by an independent pricing service (and that data draws upon, among other information, the market values of foreign investments). When a Fund uses fair value pricing, the values assigned to the Fund’s foreign investments may not be the quoted or published prices of the investments on their primary markets or exchanges.

Fair value measurements.    In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) guidance, the Funds utilize the ‘‘Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures’’ to define fair value, set out a framework for measuring fair value, and expand disclosures regarding fair value measurements.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three 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 — Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ net assets as of June 30, 2023:

 

Micro-Cap
Fund

 

Small-Cap
Opportunities
Fund

 
   

Level 1 – Equities

$

341,439,854

 

$

327,597,519

 
   

Total Level 1

 

341,439,854

 

 

327,597,519

 
   

Level 2

 

 

 

 
   

Level 3

 

 

 

 
   

Total Investments

$

341,439,854

 

$

327,597,519

 
 

Global
Opportunities
Fund

 

China
Opportunities
Fund

 

International
Opportunities
Fund

 
   

Level 1 – Equities

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Total Asia

$

8,629,358

 

$

6,094,460

 

$

27,684,982

 
   

Total Australia

 

 

 

 

 

4,375,652

 
   

Total Europe

 

11,084,611

 

 

 

 

81,813,234

 
   

Total North America

 

31,579,349

 

 

 

 

18,303,893

 
   

Total South America

 

758,740

 

 

 

 

 
   

Total Short-Term Investments

 

 

 

861,040

 

 

476,468

 
   

Total Level 1

 

52,052,058

 

 

6,955,500

 

 

132,654,229

 
   

Level 2 – Equities/Rights

 

   

 

   

 

   
   

Total Asia

 

 

 

42,873,784

 

 

 
   

Total Europe

 

 

 

 

 

151,271

 
   

Total Level 2

 

 

 

42,873,784

 

 

151,271

 
   

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Total Investments

$

52,052,058

 

$

49,829,284

 

$

132,805,500

 

42

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

   

Emerging Markets
Fund

 
   

Level 1 – Equities

 

 

   
   

Total Asia

 

$

  1,575,790

 
   

Total Africa

 

 

152,432

 
   

Total Europe

 

 

194,224

 
   

Total North America

 

 

1,176,612

 
   

Total South America

 

 

1,226,866

 
   

Total Short-Term Investments

 

 

783,040

 
   

Total Level 1

 

 

5,108,964

 
   

Level 2 – Equities

 

 

   
   

Total Asia

 

 

9,503,851

 
   

Total Europe

 

 

848,250

 
   

Total Level 2

 

 

10,352,101

 
   

Level 3

 

 

 
   

Total Investments

 

$

15,461,065

 

The Funds’ assets include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation. The pricing service provides fair market valuation on days when the movement in relevant indices exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Foreign currency transactions.    The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective date of these transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. These fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments and foreign currencies.

Risks associated with foreign securities and currencies.    Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers of industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and a high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries.

Fund share valuation.    Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuous basis at net asset value. On each day the NYSE is open for trading, the net asset value per share is determined as of the later of the close of the NYSE or the CBOE by dividing the total value of each Fund’s investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of each Fund’s shares outstanding.

43

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Investment transactions and investment income.    Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund, and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of premium and discount. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

Fund foreign taxation.    The Funds may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which they invest. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Funds record an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that may be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

Fund expense allocations.    The Funds account separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each Fund. Direct expenses of each Fund or class are charged to that Fund or class while general expenses are allocated pro-rata among the Funds based on net assets or other appropriate methods.

Federal income taxes and dividends to shareholders.    It is the policy of the Funds to continue to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (‘‘the Code’’), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. The Funds have met the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies for the period ended June 30, 2023. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Income and capital gains of the Funds are determined in accordance with both tax regulations and accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (‘‘GAAP’’). Such treatment may result in temporary and permanent differences between tax basis earnings and earnings reported for financial statement purposes. These reclassifications, which have no impact on the net asset value of the Funds, are primarily attributable to certain differences in computation of distributable income and capital gains under federal tax rules versus GAAP.

Certain Funds may utilize earnings and profits on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, permanent book and tax basis differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for net operating losses, foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment company (‘‘PFIC’’) adjustments and the tax practice known as equalization, were identified and reclassified among the components of the Funds’ net assets.

GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, permanent differences in book and tax accounting have been reclassified to paid in capital and accumulated earnings (loss) as follows:

   

Increases/(Decrease)

 
   

Capital

 

Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)

 
   

Micro-Cap Fund

$

(579,362

)

 

$

579,362

 
   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

(500,936

)

 

 

500,936

 
   

Global Opportunities Fund

 

(781,959

)

 

 

781,959

 
   

China Opportunities Fund

 

(255,615

)

 

 

255,615

 
   

International Opportunities Fund

 

(2,428,938

)

 

 

2,428,938

 
   

Emerging Markets Fund

 

(6,723

)

 

 

6,723

 

44

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

  

Distributions
Paid from
Ordinary
Income

 

Distributions
Paid from
Net Long-Term
Capital Gains

 

Total
Distributions
Paid

 
 

Micro-Cap Fund

$           

 

$         2,280,457

 

$      2,280,457

 
 

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

264,969

 

264,969

 
 

Global Opportunities Fund

 

1,327,408

 

1,327,408

 
 

China Opportunities Fund

 

670,587

 

670,587

 
 

International Opportunities Fund

 

 

 
 

Emerging Markets Fund

 

337,447

 

337,447

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:

  

Distributions
Paid from
Ordinary
Income

 

Distributions
Paid from
Net Long-Term
Capital Gains

 

Total
Distributions
Paid

 
 

Micro-Cap Fund

$      6,601,079

 

$      21,730,672

 

$     28,331,751

 
 

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

2,861,415

 

2,668,831

 

5,530,246

 
 

Global Opportunities Fund

2,861,842

 

13,000,295

 

15,862,137

 
 

China Opportunities Fund

4,018,595

 

24,805,173

 

28,823,768

 
 

International Opportunities Fund

 

54,761,352

 

54,761,352

 
 

Emerging Markets Fund

15,223

 

1,712,401

 

1,727,624

 

As of December 31, 2022, the following Funds had net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by treasury regulations:

   

Not Subject to Expiration

 
   

Short-Term

 

Long-Term

 
   

Micro-Cap Fund

$            

 

$           

 
   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

3,875,560

 

 
   

Global Opportunities Fund

5,328,265

 

 
   

China Opportunities Fund

23,446,626

 

 
   

International Opportunities Fund

39,322,654

 

823,206

 
   

Emerging Markets Fund

849,768

 

 

Post-October capital losses incurred after October 31 and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Funds’ next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Post October capital losses treated arising on January 1, 2023 was as follows:

 

Short-Term

 

Long-Term

 
   

Micro-Cap Fund

$      2,369,475

 

$         

 
   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

 
   

Global Opportunities Fund

 

 
   

China Opportunities Fund

 

 
   

International Opportunities Fund

 

 
   

Emerging Markets Fund

 

 

45

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

As of December 31, 2022 the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income (deficit)

 

Undistributed
long-term
capital gains

 

Accumulated
capital and
other losses

 

Unrealized
Appreciation on
investments

 

Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
foreign currency
translations and
India sales tax

 
   

Micro-Cap
Fund

         

 

$        

 

$  (2,369,475)

 

 

$  24,828,093

 

         

 

 
   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

 

 

(3,875,560

)

 

7,334,226

 

 

 
   

Global Opportunites Fund

   

 

(5,328,265

)

 

4,552,784

 

(556

)

 
   

China Opportunities Fund

 

 

(23,446,626

)

 

2,612,522

 

14,249

 

 
   

International Opportunities Fund

 

 

(40,145,860

)

 

899,530

 

(29,570

)

 
   

Emerging Markets
Fund

 

 

(849,768

)

 

12,511

 

(43,307

)

 

Accumulated capital and other losses consists of timing differences related to wash sales and capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2022 the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes are as follows:

 

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes

 

Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation)

 

Unrealized
Appreciation

 
   

Micro-Cap Fund

$   137,992,985

 

$   34,093,660

 

$    (9,265,567

)

 

$    24,828,093

 
   

Global Opportunities
Fund

143,148,399

 

14,056,265

 

(6,722,039

)

 

7,334,226

 
   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

47,254,575

 

8,713,446

 

(4,160,662

)

 

4,552,784

 
   

China Opportunities
Fund

53,256,649

 

6,412,523

 

(3,800,001

)

 

2,612,522

 
   

International Opportunities Fund

143,653,212

 

18,828,362

 

(17,928,832

)

 

899,530

 
   

Emerging Markets
Fund

12,082,909

 

1,666,974

 

(1,654,463

)

 

12,511

 

The Funds have reviewed all open tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for exam by taxing authorities and, as of June 30, 2023, open Federal tax years include the tax years ended 2019 through 2023. The Funds have no examinations in progress and 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 twelve months.

46

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Use of estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Indemnifications.    Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its present and former Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

3. Transactions with affiliates

The Funds have written agreements with Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (‘‘OAM’’) as the Funds’ investment advisor and manager. Oberweis Securities, Inc. (‘‘OSI’’), the Funds’ principal distributor, is an affiliate of OAM.

Investment advisory agreement.    Under the Advisory Agreement, OAM provides investment advisory services to the Micro-Cap, Global Opportunities, and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds and pursuant to a separate Management Agreement, OAM provides non-investment advisory management services such as administrative, compliance and accounting services to these Funds. For investment advisory services, the Micro-Cap Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .60% of average daily net assets. The Global Opportunities Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .45% of the first $50 million of average daily net assets and .40% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .40% of average daily net assets. For investment advisory and management services, the China Opportunities Fund, the International Opportunities Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund paid monthly investment advisory and management fees at an annual rate equal to 1.25%, 1.25% and 1.25% of average daily net assets, respectively. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund and Global Opportunities Fund incurred investment advisory fees totaling $716,633, $472,749 and $119,847, respectively. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Market Fund incurred investment advisory fees totaling $346,739, $896,684, and $99,504, respectively.

Management agreement.    For management services and facilities furnished, the Micro-Cap Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund each paid a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to .40% of average daily net assets. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, and Global Opportunities Fund incurred management fees totaling $477,755, $472,749, and $107,450, respectively.

Expense reimbursement.    OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the Micro-Cap Fund and Global Opportunities Fund Investor Class Shares to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year the following amounts expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets: 1.80% of the first $50 million; plus 1.60% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund Investor Class Shares to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year 1.25%, 2.24%, 1.60% and 1.75% expressed as a percentage of the

47

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Fund’s average daily net assets, respectively. OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the Micro-Cap Fund Institutional and the Global Opportunities Fund Class Shares to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year the following amounts expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets: 1.55% of the first $50 million; plus 1.35% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund Institutional Class Shares to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year 1.00%, 1.99% and 1.50% expressed as a percentage of the Funds’ average daily net assets, respectively. For the period ended June 30, 2023 OAM reimbursed the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the International Opportunities Fund, and the Emerging Markets Fund in the amount of $51,237, $215,272, and $67,233, respectively.

Officers and trustees.    Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of OAM and OSI. During the period ended June 30, 2023, the Trust made no direct payments to its officers and paid $85,250 to its unaffiliated trustees.

Distribution and shareholder service agreement.    The Funds have a distribution and shareholder services agreement with OSI. For services under the distribution and shareholder services agreement, the Funds pay OSI a fee at the annual rate of .25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class Shares as compensation for services. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Markets Fund incurred distribution fees totaling $172,036, $175,978, $45,541, $55,053, $179,337, and $3,455, respectively.

Affiliated Commissions.    For the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Markets Fund did not execute any security transactions through OSI and therefore did not pay commissions to OSI.

4. Investment transactions

The cost of securities purchased and proceeds from securities sold during the period ended June 30, 2023, other than money market investments, aggregated $171,927,447 and $35,411,158, respectively, for the Micro-Cap Fund, $199,850,853 and $52,420,263, respectively, for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, $25,776,657 and $29,967,559, respectively, for the Global Opportunities Fund, $64,382,115 and $66,004,513, respectively, for the China Opportunities Fund, $97,938,403,and $114,373,785, respectively, for the International Opportunities Fund, $12,350,494 and $11,185,010, respectively, for the Emerging Markets Fund. There were no long-term purchases or sales of U.S. Government Obligations during the period ended June 30, 2023.

The Funds may write covered call options. The premiums received provide a partial hedge (protection) against declining prices and enables each Fund to generate a higher return during periods when OAM does not expect the underlying security to make any major price moves in the near future but still deems the underlying security to be, over the long term, an attractive investment for each Fund. The Funds write covered call options for which premiums received are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options, which are either exercised or closed, are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. Amounts recovered for securities litigation are included in the realized gains of the Fund and are recorded when received. The Funds did not write covered call options during the period ended June 30, 2023.

48

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

5. Redemption fee

The Oberweis Funds are designed for long-term investors. To discourage market timers, redemptions of shares of the Micro-Cap Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund within 90 days of purchase are subject to a 1% redemption fee of the total redemption amount and 2% for the China Opportunities Fund, the Emerging Markets Fund and the International Opportunities Fund. The redemption fee is deducted from the redemption proceeds and is retained by the Fund.

The redemption fee is retained by the Funds for the expense they incur in connection with shareholder redemptions. Redemption fees received by the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Markets Fund were $109,252, $40,394, $2,485, $48,225, $4,510 and $4,660, respectively, for the period ended June 30, 2023, and were recorded as a reduction of the redemption of shares in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

6. Earnings credits and interest charges

The Trust, as part of the agreement with the Custodian, receives credits against its custodian fees on its uninvested cash balances and is allowed to borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowings are not to exceed 5% of the value of each Fund’s total assets at the time of any such borrowing. Interest on amounts borrowed is calculated at the prime rate and is payable monthly. During the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Emerging Markets Fund received credits of $5,627, $5,847, $3,522, $3,966, $14,935, and $7,377, respectively. During the period ended June 30, 2023, the Micro-Cap Fund, the Small Cap Opportunities Fund, the Global Opportunities Fund, the China Opportunities Fund, the International Opportunities Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund incurred interest charges of $5, $5, $458, $4,777, $3,678, and $844 respectively, which is included in custodian fees and expenses in the Statements of Operations.

7. Subsequent events

The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

49

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

MICRO-CAP FUND

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

31.64

   

$

35.88

   

$

29.10

   

$

22.40

   

$

18.37

   

$

25.12

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

Net investment lossa

   

(.14

)

   

(.32

)

   

(.43

)

   

(.26

)

   

(.22

)

   

(.35

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments

 

 

5.99

   

 

(3.52

)

 

 

15.93

   

 

6.96

   

 

4.25

   

 

(2.82

)

 
 

Total from investment operations

   

5.85

     

(3.84

)

   

15.50

     

6.70

     

4.03

     

(3.17

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

.02

     

.03

     

.02

     

     

     

.03

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.43

)

 

 

(8.74

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

(3.61

)

 
 

Net asset value at end
of period

 

$

37.51

   

$

31.64

   

$

35.88

   

$

29.10

   

$

22.40

   

$

18.37

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

18.55

d

   

(10.60

)

   

53.38

     

29.91

     

21.94

     

(12.30

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

206,286

   

$

96,281

   

$

87,603

   

$

45,345

   

$

46,546

   

$

53,094

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.51

c

   

1.53

     

1.48

     

1.59

     

1.60

     

1.57

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%)b

   

1.50

c

   

1.52

     

1.48

     

1.58

     

1.58

     

1.55

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.85

)c

   

(1.02

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(1.22

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(1.30

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

16

d

   

61

     

81

     

92

     

112

     

119

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

50

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Institutional Class

   

MICRO-CAP FUND

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

32.21

   

$

36.43

   

$

29.36

   

$

22.55

   

$

18.47

   

$

25.17

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.10

)

   

(.24

)

   

(.33

)

   

(.21

)

   

(.13

)

   

(.28

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments

 

 

6.11

   

 

(3.58

)

 

 

16.12

   

 

7.02

   

 

4.21

   

 

(2.84

)

 
 

Total from investment operations

   

6.01

     

(3.82

)

   

15.79

     

6.81

     

4.08

     

(3.12

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

0.02

     

.03

     

.02

     

     

     

.03

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.43

)

   

(8.74

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

(3.61

)

 
 

Net asset value at end
of period

 

$

38.24

   

$

32.21

   

$

36.43

   

$

29.36

   

$

22.55

   

$

18.47

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

18.72

d

   

(10.39

)

   

53.90

     

30.20

     

22.09

     

(12.07

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period
(in thousands)

 

$

142,485

   

$

72,507

   

$

50,015

   

$

31,202

   

$

30,994

   

$

14,445

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.26

c

   

1.28

     

1.23

     

1.34

     

1.34

     

1.33

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%)b

   

1.25

c

   

1.27

     

1.23

     

1.33

     

1.32

     

1.32

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.60

)c

   

(.76

)

   

(.85

)

   

(.97

)

   

(.61

)

   

(1.05

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

16

d

   

61

     

81

     

92

     

112

     

119

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

51

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

19.10

   

$

21.54

   

$

18.29

   

$

14.36

   

$

11.83

   

$

16.40

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.04

)

   

(.16

)

   

(.28

)

   

(.17

)

   

(.13

)

   

(.18

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments

 

 

2.75

   

 

(2.26

)

 

 

8.23

   

 

4.84

   

 

3.10

   

 

(1.05

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

2.71

     

(2.42

)

   

7.95

     

4.67

     

2.97

     

(1.23

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

     

.01

     

.01

     

     

     

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.03

)

 

 

(4.71

)

 

 

(.74

)

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

(3.34

)

 
 

Net asset value at end
of period

 

$

21.81

   

$

19.10

   

$

21.54

   

$

18.29

   

$

14.36

   

$

11.83

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

14.19

d

   

(11.17

)

   

43.57

     

32.47

     

25.07

     

(7.23

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period
(in thousands)

 

$

205,587

   

$

94,110

   

$

16,322

   

$

7,767

   

$

6,110

   

$

5,299

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.30

c

   

1.45

     

1.59

     

2.03

     

2.21

     

2.13

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.25

c

   

1.25

     

1.55

     

1.55

     

1.55

     

1.55

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.37

)c

   

(.82

)

   

(1.22

)

   

(1.14

)

   

(.95

)

   

(1.06

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

23

d

   

45

     

106

     

147

     

142

     

160

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

52

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Institutional Class

   

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

19.49

   

$

21.92

   

$

18.51

   

$

14.49

   

$

11.90

   

$

16.44

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.01

)

   

(.11

)

   

(.23

)

   

(.13

)

   

(.10

)

   

(.14

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments

 

 

2.80

   

 

(2.30

)

 

 

8.34

   

 

4.89

   

 

3.13

   

 

(1.06

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

2.79

     

(2.41

)

   

8.11

     

4.76

     

3.03

     

(1.20

)

 
 

Redemption feesa

   

     

.01

     

.01

     

     

     

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.03

)

 

 

(4.71

)

 

 

(.74

)

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

(3.34

)

 
 

Net asset value at end
of period

 

$

22.28

   

$

19.49

   

$

21.92

   

$

18.51

   

$

14.49

   

$

11.90

   
 

Total return (%)

   

14.32

d

   

(10.93

)

   

43.92

     

32.80

     

25.43

     

(7.05

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period
(in thousands)

 

$

131,711

   

$

62,776

   

$

12,727

   

$

8,866

   

$

5,622

   

$

4,538

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.05

c

   

1.20

     

1.34

     

1.78

     

1.96

     

1.88

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.00

c

   

1.00

     

1.30

     

1.30

     

1.30

     

1.30

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.13

)c

   

(.59

)

   

(.97

)

   

(.89

)

   

(.69

)

   

(.80

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

23

d

   

45

     

106

     

147

     

142

     

160

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

53

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

Global Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

25.17

   

$

35.29

   

$

36.51

   

$

24.82

   

$

19.75

   

$

28.36

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.08

)

   

(.19

)

   

(.37

)

   

(.32

)

   

(.24

)

   

(.20

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency

 

 

2.15

   

 

(9.27

)

 

 

7.99

   

 

14.13

   

 

5.31

   

 

(7.09

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

2.07

     

(9.46

)

   

7.62

     

13.81

     

5.07

     

(7.29

)

 
 

Redemption feesa

   

     

     

.01

     

     

     

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.66

)

 

 

(8.85

)

 

 

(2.12

)

 

 

   

 

(1.32

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

27.24

   

$

25.17

   

$

35.29

   

$

36.51

   

$

24.82

   

$

19.75

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

8.22

d

   

(26.80

)

   

20.92

     

55.55

     

25.67

     

(25.66

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period
(in thousands)

 

$

36,792

   

$

34,968

   

$

53,342

   

$

45,566

   

$

32,004

   

$

28,847

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.52

c

   

1.52

     

1.38

     

1.53

     

1.58

     

1.52

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.51

c

   

1.51

     

1.38

     

1.53

     

1.55

     

1.50

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.63

)c

   

(.73

)

   

(.86

)

   

(1.14

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(.72

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

49

d

   

73

     

111

     

129

     

120

     

155

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

54

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Institutional Class

   

Global Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

25.64

   

$

35.84

   

$

36.87

   

$

24.99

   

$

19.84

   

$

28.41

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.05

)

   

(.12

)

   

(.26

)

   

(.25

)

   

(.18

)

   

(.13

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency

 

 

2.19

   

 

(9.42

)

 

 

8.07

   

 

14.25

   

 

5.33

   

 

(7.12

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

2.14

     

(9.54

)

   

7.81

     

14.00

     

5.15

     

(7.25

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

     

     

.01

     

     

     

   
 

Less distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

 

 

   

 

(.66

)

 

 

(8.85

)

 

 

(2.12

)

 

 

   

 

(1.32

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

27.78

   

$

25.64

   

$

35.84

   

$

36.87

   

$

24.99

   

$

19.84

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

8.35

d

   

(26.61

)

   

21.23

     

55.94

     

25.96

     

(25.48

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period
(in thousands)

 

$

18,332

   

$

16,837

   

$

23,518

   

$

17,109

   

$

10,644

   

$

8,937

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.27

c

   

1.28

     

1.14

     

1.28

     

1.33

     

1.28

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.26

c

   

1.27

     

1.13

     

1.27

     

1.30

     

1.25

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.38

)c

   

(.44

)

   

(.61

)

   

(.88

)

   

(.78

)

   

(.49

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

49

d

   

73

     

111

     

129

     

120

     

155

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

55

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

China Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

7.14

   

$

11.51

   

$

17.29

   

$

12.33

   

$

9.35

   

$

15.95

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.03

)

   

(.08

)

   

(.11

)

   

(.16

)

   

(.09

)

   

(.10

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

 

(.62

)

 

 

(4.20

)

 

 

(.88

)

 

 

7.11

   

 

3.47

   

 

(4.06

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

(.65

)

   

(4.28

)

   

(.99

)

   

6.95

     

3.38

     

(4.16

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

.01

     

     

     

     

.02

     

   
 

Less dividends and
distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

   

     

(.09

)

   

(4.79

)

   

(1.99

)

   

(.42

)

   

(2.44

)

 
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Total dividends and
distributions

 

 

   

 

(.09

)

 

 

(4.79

)

 

 

(1.99

)

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

(2.44

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

6.50

   

$

7.14

   

$

11.51

   

$

17.29

   

$

12.33

   

$

9.35

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

(8.96

)d

   

(37.23

)

   

(5.41

)

   

56.51

     

36.33

     

(26.01

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

40,159

   

$

45,803

   

$

81,018

   

$

98,527

   

$

75,487

   

$

60,844

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

2.10

c

   

2.05

     

1.87

     

1.95

     

1.95

     

1.91

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

2.09

c

   

2.03

     

1.87

     

1.95

     

1.84

     

1.86

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.79

)c

   

(.97

)

   

(.63

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(.77

)

   

(.68

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

119

d

   

254

     

241

     

192

     

184

     

85

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

56

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Institutional Class

   

China Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

7.27

   

$

11.67

   

$

17.42

   

$

12.39

   

$

9.36

   

$

15.93

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossa

   

(.02

)

   

(.05

)

   

(.07

)

   

(.13

)

   

(.07

)

   

(.06

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

 

(.64

)

 

 

(4.26

)

 

 

(.89

)

 

 

7.15

   

 

3.50

   

 

(4.07

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

(.66

)

   

(4.31

)

   

(.96

)

   

7.02

     

3.43

     

(4.13

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

.01

     

     

     

     

.02

     

   
 

Less dividends and
distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

   

     

(.09

)

   

(4.79

)

   

(1.99

)

   

(.42

)

   

(2.44

)

 
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Total dividends and
distributions

 

 

   

 

(.09

)

 

 

(4.79

)

 

 

(1.99

)

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

(2.44

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

6.62

   

$

7.27

   

$

11.67

   

$

17.42

   

$

12.39

   

$

9.36

   
 

Total return (%)

   

(8.94

)d

   

(36.97)

     

(5.23)

     

56.79

     

36.82

     

(25.85)

   
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

9,880

   

$

10,513

   

$

15,247

   

$

21,497

   

$

14,301

   

$

10,998

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.85

c

   

1.80

     

1.62

     

1.69

     

1.70

     

1.65

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.84

c

   

1.78

     

1.62

     

1.69

     

1.59

     

1.61

   
 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%)

   

(.57

)c

   

(.62

)

   

(.38

)

   

(.85

)

   

(.55

)

   

(.42

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

119

d

   

254

     

241

     

192

     

184

     

85

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

57

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

International Opportunities Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

16.68

   

$

26.50

   

$

31.52

   

$

19.43

   

$

16.01

   

$

25.49

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment income
(loss)
a

   

.11

     

.11

     

(.26

)

   

(.16

)

   

(.03

)

   

(.04

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

 

.48

   

 

(9.93

)

 

 

.72

   

 

12.37

   

 

3.69

   

 

(6.30

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

.59

     

(9.82

)

   

.46

     

12.21

     

3.66

     

(6.34

)

 
 

Redemption Feesa

   

     

     

     

     

     

   
 

Less dividends and
distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

   

     

     

(5.48

)

   

     

     

(3.10

)

 
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

(.12

)

 

 

(.24

)

 

 

(.04

)

 
 

Total dividends and
distributions

 

$

   

$

   

 

(5.48

)

 

 

(.12

)

 

 

(.24

)

 

 

(3.14

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

17.27

   

$

16.68

   

$

26.50

   

$

31.52

   

$

19.43

   

$

16.01

   
 

Total return (%)

   

3.54

d

   

(37.06

)

   

1.52

     

62.86

     

22.85

     

(24.73

)

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

133,614

   

$

144,970

   

$

310,356

   

$

327,354

   

$

324,254

   

$

498,164

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.92

c

   

1.87

     

1.77

     

1.87

     

1.82

     

1.77

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
b

   

1.60

c

   

1.60

     

1.60

     

1.60

     

1.60

     

1.60

   
 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)

   

1.32

c

   

.60

     

(.79

)

   

(.75

)

   

(.19

)

   

(.16

)

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

69

d

   

74

     

93

     

130

     

142

     

145

   

Notes:

a The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Annualized.

d Not annualized.

58

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Investor Class

   

Emerging Markets Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended
December 31,
2018
a

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

10.04

   

$

13.63

   

$

13.81

   

$

9.67

   

$

7.89

   

$

10.00

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment lossb

   

.02

     

(.07

)

   

(.13

)

   

(.06

)

   

(.02

)

   

(.01

)

 
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

 

1.08

   

 

(3.24

)

 

 

1.95

   

 

4.20

   

 

1.80

   

 

(2.10

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

1.10

     

(3.31

)

   

1.82

     

4.14

     

1.78

     

(2.11

)

 
 

Redemption Feesb

   

     

     

     

     

     

   
 

Less dividends and
distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

   

     

(.28

)

   

(2.00

)

   

     

     

   
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Total dividends and
distributions

 

 

   

 

(.28

)

 

 

(2.00

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

11.14

   

$

10.04

   

$

13.63

   

$

13.81

   

$

9.67

   

$

7.89

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

10.96

e

   

(24.31

)

   

13.24

     

42.81

     

22.56

     

(21.10

)e

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

2,931

   

$

1,578

   

$

1,646

   

$

789

   

$

587

   

$

426

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

2.69

d

   

2.90

     

2.80

     

3.79

     

3.86

     

3.99

d

 
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
c

   

1.75

d

   

1.75

     

1.75

     

1.75

     

1.75

     

1.75

d

 
 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)

   

.29

d

   

(.65

)

   

(.87

)

   

(.54

)

   

(.21

)

   

(.15

)d

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

76

e

   

70

     

67

     

131

     

153

     

111

e

 

Notes:

a For the period from May 1, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018.

b The net investment income (loss) per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

c The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the advisor, and expense reimbursement form the advisor

d Annualized.

e Not Annualized

59

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

Institutional Class

   

Emerging Markets Fund

   

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended
December 31,
2018
a

   
     

2022

     

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

10.16

   

$

13.75

   

$

13.90

   

$

9.71

   

$

7.90

   

$

10.00

   
       

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

   
 

Net investment income
(loss)
b

   

.03

     

(.02

)

   

(.10

)

   

(.03

)

   

     

.01

   
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

 

1.09

     

(3.29

)

 

 

1.97

   

 

4.22

   

 

1.81

   

 

(2.11

)

 
 

Total from investment
operations

   

1.12

     

(3.31

)

   

1.87

     

4.19

     

1.81

     

(2.10

)

 
 

Redemption Feesb

   

     

     

     

     

     

   
 

Less dividends and
distributions:

                                                 
 

Distribution from net realized gains on investments

   

     

(.28

)

   

(2.00

)

   

     

     

   
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

(.02

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Total dividends and
distributions

 

 

   

 

(.28

)

 

 

(2.02

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

   
 

Net asset value at end of
period

 

$

11.28

   

$

10.16

   

$

13.75

   

$

13.90

   

$

9.71

   

$

7.90

   
 

Total Return (%)

   

11.02

e

   

(24.10

)

   

13.50

     

43.15

     

22.91

     

(21.00

)e

 
       

 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

12,584

   

$

11,012

   

$

11,910

   

$

9,938

   

$

7,382

   

$

6,012

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

2.44

d

   

2.65

     

2.55

     

3.54

     

3.61

     

3.74

d

 
 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets (%)
c

   

1.50

d

   

1.50

     

1.50

     

1.50

     

1.50

     

1.50

d

 
 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)

   

.48

d

   

(.16

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.26

)

   

     

.10

d

 
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

76

e

   

70

     

67

     

131

     

153

     

111

e

 

Notes:

a For the period from May 1, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018.

b The net investment income (loss) per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

c The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian, and expense reimbursement form the advisor

d Annualized.

e Not Annualized

60

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Liquidity Risk Management Program:

Consistent with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), The Oberweis Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “LRMP”). The LRMP seeks to assess and manage the Funds’ liquidity risk, which is defined as the risk that a Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved an officer of the Funds (the “Administrator”) to serve as the administrator of the Funds’ LRMP.

The Fund’s LRMP includes a number of processes designed to support the assessment and management of its liquidity risk. In particular, the LRMP includes no less than annual assessments of factors that influence each Fund’s liquidity risk; no less than monthly classifications of a Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity classifications provided for in the Liquidity Rule; a 15% of net assets limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); establishment of a minimum percentage of a Fund’s assets to be invested in investments classified as “highly liquid” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule) if the Fund does not invest primarily in highly liquid investments; and regular reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board on May 17, 2023, the Administrator provided a written report (the “LRMP Report”) to the Board addressing the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Fund’s LRMP, including if and as applicable, (1) the operation of the Highly Liquid Investment Minimum established for each applicable Fund; (2) an assessment of the quality of the data and analysis provided, and of the particular methodologies used and metrics analyzed, by any third-party vendor engaged; and (3) a summary of any material changes to the LRMP during the prior annual period. The LRMP Report covered the period from May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 (the “Reporting Period”). The LRMP Report concluded that the LRMP had operated adequately and effectively to manage the Funds’ liquidity risk during the Reporting Period. There were no material changes to the LRMP during the Reporting Period. The LRMP Report further concluded that the Funds’ investment strategies were appropriate for an open-end fund and did not involve relatively concentrated portfolios.

There can be no assurance that the LRMP will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future.

Proxy Voting:

The Oberweis Funds has delegated authority to vote proxies related to the Funds’ (Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund) Portfolio securities to the Funds’ investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”). A description of the policies and procedures that OAM uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available, without charge upon request, by calling 1-800-323-6166. It also appears on www.oberweisfunds.com and in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov. Information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-323-6166, and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

61

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year (March 31 and September 30) on Form NPORT. The Funds’ Forms NPORT are available, without charge, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Effective March 9, 2023, BBD LLP (“BBD”) ceased to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the replacement of BBD as a result of Cohen & Company, Ltd.’s (“Cohen”) acquisition of BBD’s investment management group. On March 9, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees also recommended and approved the appointment of Cohen as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023.

The reports of BBD, LLP on the Funds’ financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the Funds’ most recent year, and through March 9, 2023, there were no disagreements with BBD, LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BBD, LLP, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the Funds’ financial statements for such years. During the year ended December 31, 2022, and through March 9, 2023, there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

The Funds requested BBD, LLP to furnish them with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. A copy of such letter will be filed as an Exhibit to the Form N-CSR filing.

Expense Examples:

As a shareholder of The Oberweis Funds, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (and/or service) 12b-1 fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in The Oberweis Funds 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 investment at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses:

The first line for each Fund in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below; 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

62

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:

The second line for each Fund in the table below 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of 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 for each Fund in 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.

63

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Beginning
Account
Value
1/1/23

 

Ending
Account
Value
6/30/23

 

Expenses Paid
During Period*
1/1/23 – 6/30/23

 

Expense Ratio
During Period
1/1/23 – 6/30/23

MICRO-CAP FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,185.50

 

$

8.13

 

1.50

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,017.36

 

$

7.50

 

1.50

%

Institutional Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,187.20

 

$

6.78

 

1.25

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,018.60

 

$

6.26

 

1.25

%

       

 

   

 

     

 

SMALL-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,141.90

 

$

6.64

 

1.25

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,018.60

 

$

6.26

 

1.25

%

Institutional Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,143.20

 

$

5.31

 

1.00

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,019.84

 

$

5.01

 

1.00

%

       

 

   

 

     

 

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,082.20

 

$

7.80

 

1.51

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,017.31

 

$

7.55

 

1.51

%

Institutional Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,083.50

 

$

6.51

 

1.26

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,018.55

 

$

6.31

 

1.26

%

       

 

   

 

     

 

CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

910.40

 

$

9.90

 

2.09

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,014.43

 

$

10.44

 

2.09

%

Institutional Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

910.60

 

$

8.72

 

1.84

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,015.67

 

$

9.20

 

1.84

%

       

 

   

 

     

 

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,035.40

 

$

8.07

 

1.60

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,016.86

 

$

8.00

 

1.60

%

       

 

   

 

     

 

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

 

Investor Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,109.60

 

$

9.15

 

1.75

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,016.12

 

$

8.75

 

1.75

%

Institutional Class

     

 

   

 

     

 

Actual

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,110.20

 

$

7.85

 

1.50

%

Hypothetical

 

$ 1,000.00

 

$

1,017.36

 

$

7.50

 

1.50

%

*        Expenses are equal to the average account value times the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year.

64

 

Trustees and Officers

   

Michael J. Simon
Trustee

James W. Oberweis
President, Trustee

David I. Covas
Vice President

Kenneth S. Farsalas
Vice President

Katherine Smith Dedrick
Trustee

 

Alix J. Charles
Trustee

Eric V. Hannemann
Treasurer

Thomas P. Joyce
Secretary
Chief Compliance Officer

Manager and Investment Advisor

Oberweis Asset Management, Inc.

3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532

800-323-6166

oberweisfunds.com

Distributor

Oberweis Securities, Inc.

3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532

630-577-2300

oberweisfunds.com

Custodian

UMB Bank, n.a.

928 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106

Transfer Agent

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 711, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0711
800-245-7311

Counsel

Vedder Price P.C.

222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Cohen & Co.

1835 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Oberweis Funds

Micro-Cap Fund

Small-Cap Opportunities Fund

Global Opportunities Fund

China Opportunities Fund

International Opportunities Fund

Emerging Markets Fund

800-245-7311

oberweisfunds.com

 

3333 Warrenville Road

Suite 500

Lisle, IL 60532

 

 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

   

Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional Fund (OBIIX)

   

Oberweis Focused International Growth Fund (OFIGX)

   

June 30, 2023

   

oberweisfunds.com

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President and Portfolio Manager’s LETTER (unaudited)

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

Year-to-date performance through june 30, 2023

For the first six months of 2023, the Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional fund returned +3.66% vs. +5.72% for the benchmark, the MSCI World Ex USA Small Cap Growth Index. The Oberweis Focused International Growth Fund returned +13.24% vs. +11.67% for the MSCI EAFE Index.

market environment

Developed equity markets continued to do well during the second quarter. Equities have been strengthened by improved earnings expectations as well as macro data, in particular from the United States, that has been supportive of a soft-landing scenario. Both U.S. consumer confidence and durable goods orders exceeded expectations in May, while new home sales increased by 20% year-on-year despite the increase in mortgage rates. This data contrasts with the prevailing consensus narrative among pundits that the United States will soon lead the global economy into a severe recession. Furthermore, the improvement in inflation data has been positive for equity markets. Sticky-Price CPI, which is comprised of a basket of goods and services that reprice slowly and which represent more than 60% of the core index, peaked at over +8% in September when expressed on an annualized month-over-month basis. In May it was +4.1%, down from +4.7% in April. Moreover, rents are the biggest part of this indicator, and they rolled over last year, a dynamic that has largely yet to be reflected in the shelter index. In addition, the growth rate in U.S. average hourly earnings has been decelerating and the quit rate of service workers has declined. Services inflation, which has been central to the Fed’s view of price pressure, also fell further in May. For the first time in over a year, at its June meeting the Federal Reserve left interest rates alone. The yield curve has steepened from its low in February, with the market building in, at a minimum, a pause from the Central Bank after one more rate increase next month. However, Chairman Powell has explicitly suggested otherwise, stating that more rate hikes are likely this year.

Internationally, the inflation trends in the U.S. have been mirrored, with the portion of countries reporting large positive surprises in headline inflation continuing to decrease. Euro area headline inflation fell to +5.5% year-on-year in the June report, below consensus. Inflation in Spain and Switzerland even fell below 2%. Similarly, in Japan, the BOJ is forecasting easing core inflation after slower than expected increases in CPI in June. This was allied with its latest Tankan survey signaling faster business investment and increased production.

In the United States, neither consumers nor public companies went on borrowing binges over the last decade, and both refinanced long near the extraordinary bottom in rates. Consequently, the rate sensitivity of the economy is lower compared to prior cycles. The unemployment rate in the U.S. for June was 3.6%, near a five-decade low. Indeed, it has been below 4% for the longest stretch in 50 years and is now around 100bps below where it was when the tightening campaign started. As such, at this moment, the argument that higher rates will harm the labor market is hard to make. Indeed, if anything, the data to date suggests the economy is highly resilient. Moreover, as mentioned above, the recent trends in inflation point to slowing inflation. A continuing combination of disinflation and healthy demand lowers the odds of an economic downturn and is likely a friendly environment for equities.

1

 

President and Portfolio Manager’s LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

A concern with an aggressive Fed is the impact on the banking sector, where the mini-financial crisis last spring could still foreshadow larger issues to come. In particular, commercial real estate looks vulnerable with significant refinancing needs (more than 40% of bank loans maturing this year and next). The cost of this refinancing is now above the rate embedded in the stock. Until now, there have been few non-performers in the banks’ commercial real estate loan books, but it may be that credit problems could worsen, even if set against a benign economic climate. Per above, the recent economic data has lent support to the soft-landing scenario, an outcome that would reduce the odds of a credit cycle.

Internationally, it is hard to find many strategists who have much that is positive to say on Europe, making the consensus opinion quite bearish on the region. However, Empirical Research Partners, who we have found to be among the best market strategists, have an overweight on Continental Europe. Notably, energy prices in Europe are down year-on-year, which contributes to input price deflation in the Eurozone and enables higher margins. Overall, the drags from input costs, inventories and capital spending appear to be easing in the developed world, resulting in improving margins of the core market (i.e. ex-commodities). As a result, we expect earnings to move higher over time within our investible universe.

In Japan, a series of corporate governance reforms announced by the Tokyo Stock Exchange encourages listed companies to create a plan to improve capital efficiency. Furthermore, the expansive monetary policy of the Bank of Japan, which started under Shinzo Abe, has continued in Kazuo Ueda’s term. Last but not least, Japan is emerging as an alternative to China, a gateway to Asia where the rule of law is respected. All this is leading to significant capital flows into Japan, including investments by Warren Buffett.

Precisely because the fate of the economy remains difficult to diagnose, many investors and analysts tend to — in line with basic human nature — “err on the side of caution”, which means they err. They tend to over-focus on the negative rather than analyze the reward/risk in an emotionally unbiased fashion. For example, for six quarters in a row, investors have been expecting a global recession to happen in the next 12 months. This has turned out to be wrong. As a result, many investors miss out on attractive buying opportunities. In a research note in May of last year, Morgan Stanley forecasted that the S&P would fall to 3,400. It never did, yet meanwhile risk aversion rose markedly. Many market participants got spooked and sold equites near the lows or did not take advantage of the attractive entry points. Today the S&P sits well north of 4,000, with New York Federal Reserve President John Williams recently stating that he does not have a recession in his forecast.

2

 

President and Portfolio Manager’s LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

valuation recap

Valuations for developed market equities outside of the US remain below-average with, for example, free cash flow yields for small cap stocks in developed markets still near historical highs:

3

 

President and Portfolio Manager’s LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

Further, investor sentiment and expectations for forward returns remain among the lowest they have ever been. Counter to common investor behavior, which tends to shy away from deploying new capital when consensus opinion becomes fearful, we have found that, historically, attractive valuations and near-trough expectations have generally made a favorable set-up for forward-looking long-term returns.

Our primary focus continues to be investing in strong companies with great underlying fundamentals, balance sheets and cash flows. Our holdings tend to be niche-oriented firms operating in disruptive markets. GDP matters, but it generally is not the main driver of long-term earnings growth. In that regard, our portfolio companies had in aggregate a solid set of earnings reports with strong underlying fundamentals. We are confident that whether the market goes up or down from here in the short-term, on a relative basis, the underlying fundamentals of our companies will continue to do well.

On behalf of the entire team at Oberweis, thank you for investing in the Oberweis Funds. If you have any questions about your account, please contact shareholder services at (800) 245-7311.

Sincerely,

 

   

James W. Oberweis, CFA
President

 

Ralf Scherschmidt
Portfolio Manager

   

For current performance information, please visit www.oberweisfunds.com.

4

 

President and Portfolio Manager’s LETTER (unaudited) (continued)

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) (as of June 30, 2023)

Ticker

 

Qtr

 

1 Yr

 

3 Yr

 

5 Yr

 

10 Yr

 

Life of
Fund
*

 

Expense
Ratio
**

OBIIX

 

-1.39

 

1.92

 

-1.13

 

0.31

 

n/a

 

3.77

 

1.10

OFIGX

 

2.37

 

11.72

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

-10.18

 

0.95

Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that you may have gain or loss when shares are sold. Current performance may be higher or lower than quoted. Unusually high returns may not be sustainable. Visit us online at oberweisfunds.com for most recent month-end performance.

The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations. There is no guarantee that the funds can achieve their objectives. Holdings in the Funds are subject to change.

Before investing, consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. To obtain a copy of the prospectus or summary prospectus containing this and other information please visit our website at oberweisfunds.com or call 800-323-6166. Read it carefully before investing. The Oberweis Funds are distributed by Oberweis Securities, Inc. Member: FINRA & SIPC.

*  Life of Fund returns are from commencement of operations on 03/10/14 for OBIIX and 4/1/22 for OFIGX.

** December 31, 2022. Expense ratio is the total net annualized fund operating expense ratio. The expense ratio gross of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursements were 1.14% for OBIIX and 1.97% for OFIGX. Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (OAM), the Fund’s investment advisor is contractually obligated through April 30, 2024 to reduce its management fees or reimburse OBIIX and OFIGX to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses exceed in any one year 1.10% and 0.95% expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets, respectively. Effective May 15, 2023, for OBIIX and OFIGX, respectively, the adviser may recoup the amount of any expenses reimbursed under the contract within three years following the date of the reimbursement if the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time of the recoupment, or the expense limitation in effect at the time of the initial reimbursement, whichever is lower.

The MSCI World ex-US Small Cap Growth Index (Net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of small cap growth developed markets excluding the US, with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax. The MSCI EAFE Index is an equity index that captures large and mid-cap representation across 21 developed markets countries around the world, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The index is comprehensive, covering approximately 85% of the free-float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

5

 

Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

97.7

Rights

 

0.1

Short-Term Investments

 

1.5

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

0.7

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

5.0

The Sage Group PLC

 

3.8

ATS Corp.

 

3.5

Saab AB

 

3.0

Edenred SA

 

2.9

Gerresheimer AG

 

2.6

Element Fleet Management Corp.

 

2.6

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

 

2.6

Constellium SE

 

2.6

Davide Campari-Milano NV

 

2.6

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Machinery

 

9.8

Information Technology Services

 

6.5

Food Products

 

5.6

Diversified Financial Services

 

5.5

Professional Services

 

5.0

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

 

4.4

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

4.2

Metals & Mining

 

4.2

Trading Co. & Distribution

 

3.9

Software

 

3.8

Oberweis Focused International Growth Fund

At June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

Equities

 

96.5

Short-Term Investments

 

2.8

Other Assets less Liabilities

 

0.7

     

Top Ten Holdings (% of Net Assets)

Sony Group Corp.

 

7.9

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

 

5.5

Schneider Electric SE

 

5.4

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

 

5.3

Zurich Insurance Group AG

 

4.7

HSBC Hldgs. PLC

 

4.3

Publicis Groupe SA

 

4.3

Adyen NV

 

4.2

UniCredit SpA

 

4.1

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

3.8

     

Top Ten Industries (% of Net Assets)

Pharmaceuticals

 

10.4

Banks

 

8.4

Household Durables

 

7.9

Software

 

7.1

Electrical Equipment

 

5.4

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

 

5.3

Insurance

 

4.7

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

4.7

Media

 

4.3

Financial Services

 

4.2

6

 

OBERWEIS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTITUTIONAL FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 97.7%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Australia – 3.2%

     

 

 

GrainCorp Ltd.*

 

1,014,023

 

$

5,288,969

JB Hi-Fi Ltd.

 

114,512

 

 

3,337,264

Super Retail Group Ltd.

 

204,448

 

 

1,556,648

       

 

10,182,881

       

 

 

Belgium – 0.4%

     

 

 

Barco NV

 

47,985

 

 

1,195,960

       

 

 

Canada – 13.5%

     

 

 

Ag Growth International, Inc.

 

114,800

 

 

4,390,788

ATS Corp.*

 

236,875

 

 

10,897,895

BRP, Inc.

 

42,273

 

 

3,573,485

Element Fleet Management Corp.

 

538,500

 

 

8,202,695

Finning International, Inc.

 

126,800

 

 

3,900,287

Parex Resources, Inc.

 

254,291

 

 

5,098,105

Stantec, Inc.

 

100,300

 

 

6,548,118

       

 

42,611,373

       

 

 

Denmark – 3.3%

     

 

 

D/S Norden A/S

 

11,735

 

 

585,417

Demant A/S*

 

119,600

 

 

5,056,730

Jyske Bank A/S*

 

15,100

 

 

1,147,188

NKT A/S*

 

60,600

 

 

3,674,988

       

 

10,464,323

       

 

 

Finland – 3.9%

     

 

 

Cargotec Oyj

 

70,060

 

 

3,849,325

Metso Corp.

 

410,768

 

 

4,950,821

Outokumpu Oyj

 

376,743

 

 

2,015,271

Valmet Oyj

 

54,000

 

 

1,501,440

       

 

12,316,857

       

 

 

France – 9.3%

     

 

 

Alten SA*

 

27,300

 

 

4,298,767

Edenred SA

 

136,300

 

 

9,123,354

Rexel SA

 

231,519

 

 

5,712,183

Sopra Steria Group SACA

 

23,100

 

 

4,607,900

Spie SA

 

167,500

 

 

5,410,301

       

 

29,152,505

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

7

 

OBERWEIS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTITUTIONAL FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Germany – 7.0%

     

 

 

AIXTRON SE

 

104,749

 

$

3,553,739

CTS Eventim AG & Co.*

 

91,851

 

 

5,798,320

Gerresheimer AG

 

73,300

 

 

8,246,650

Hugo Boss AG

 

45,400

 

 

3,544,212

Krones AG

 

6,700

 

 

812,276

       

 

21,955,197

       

 

 

Italy – 3.9%

     

 

 

Brunello Cucinelli SpA

 

48,500

 

 

4,265,714

Davide Campari-Milano NV*

 

580,100

 

 

8,033,030

       

 

12,298,744

       

 

 

Japan – 20.4%

     

 

 

ABC-Mart, Inc.*

 

105,300

 

 

5,697,197

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

425,900

 

 

15,844,147

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

 

1,409,900

 

 

7,233,438

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

 

111,200

 

 

4,847,347

Future Corp.

 

468,000

 

 

5,536,408

Information Services International-Dentsu Ltd.

 

83,500

 

 

2,916,525

M&A Capital Partners Co. Ltd.*

 

34,300

 

 

791,566

Nissin Foods Hldgs. Co. Ltd.

 

88,600

 

 

7,312,977

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.*

 

183,700

 

 

1,560,167

Sundrug Co. Ltd.*

 

101,900

 

 

3,014,028

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

 

180,700

 

 

8,143,679

Toyo Tanso Co. Ltd.*

 

42,500

 

 

1,508,022

       

 

64,405,501

       

 

 

Netherlands – 5.0%

     

 

 

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

 

69,900

 

 

7,574,280

Constellium SE*

 

472,039

 

 

8,119,071

       

 

15,693,351

       

 

 

Norway – 1.9%

     

 

 

Aker Solutions ASA

 

1,212,800

 

 

4,395,349

Subsea 7 SA

 

118,100

 

 

1,470,529

       

 

5,865,878

       

 

 

Sweden – 5.6%

     

 

 

AAK AB*

 

119,820

 

 

2,252,999

AddTech AB*

 

123,400

 

 

2,686,439

Alleima AB

 

169,034

 

 

768,892

Indutrade AB

 

13,100

 

 

295,028

Saab AB

 

175,400

 

 

9,484,422

SSAB AB*

 

308,021

 

 

2,188,196

       

 

17,675,976

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

8

 

OBERWEIS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTITUTIONAL FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

United Kingdom – 20.3%

     

 

 

B&M European Value Retail SA

 

452,400

 

$

3,200,239

Games Workshop Group PLC*

 

23,250

 

 

3,224,409

IMI PLC

 

196,516

 

 

4,093,043

Indivior PLC*

 

266,600

 

 

6,172,362

Informa PLC*

 

168,000

 

 

1,548,997

Keywords Studios PLC

 

133,700

 

 

3,073,368

Marks and Spencer Group PLC*

 

2,241,800

 

 

5,486,346

Melrose Industries PLC*

 

305,600

 

 

1,964,627

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

 

71,271

 

 

1,656,413

Oxford Instruments PLC*

 

177,200

 

 

6,143,713

Spectris PLC

 

127,630

 

 

5,827,151

Telecom Plus PLC*

 

152,900

 

 

3,281,699

The Sage Group PLC

 

1,023,270

 

 

12,018,289

Whitbread PLC

 

144,000

 

 

6,192,330

       

 

63,882,986

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $271,428,792)

     

$

307,701,532

       

 

 

Rights – 0.1%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Denmark – 0.1%

     

 

 

NKT A/S*

 

15,150

 

 

352,579

       

 

 

Total Rights

     

 

 

(Cost: $0)

     

$

352,579

       

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.5%

     

 

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio Class I 4.99%a

 

4,751,782

 

 

4,751,782

       

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

     

 

 

(Cost: $4,751,782)

     

$

4,751,782

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.3%

     

 

 

(Cost: $276,180,574)

     

$

312,805,893

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.7%

     

 

2,139,523

       

 

 

Net Assets100%

     

$

314,945,416

a Annualized seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2023.

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

9

 

OBERWEIS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTITUTIONAL FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

Communication Services

 

2.3

%

Consumer Discretionary

 

11.0

%

Consumer Staples

 

12.6

%

Energy

 

3.5

%

Financials

 

8.4

%

Healthcare

 

6.7

%

Industrials

 

30.2

%

Information Technology

 

18.0

%

Materials

 

4.2

%

Utilities

 

0.9

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

10

 

OBERWEIS FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Value

Equities – 96.5%

     

 

 
       

 

 

Australia – 3.5%

     

 

 

BHP Group Ltd.

 

4,400

 

$

131,865

Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

 

3,300

 

 

75,708

       

 

207,573

       

 

 

Denmark – 3.0%

     

 

 

Novo Nordisk A/S

 

1,100

 

 

177,232

       

 

 

France – 15.0%

     

 

 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

 

335

 

 

315,479

Publicis Groupe SA*

 

3,200

 

 

256,656

Schneider Electric SE

 

1,800

 

 

326,962

       

 

899,097

       

 

 

Germany – 3.8%

     

 

 

SAP SE*

 

700

 

 

95,589

Siemens AG*

 

800

 

 

133,165

       

 

228,754

       

 

 

Italy – 5.7%

     

 

 

Ferrari NV*

 

300

 

 

98,047

UniCredit SpA

 

10,600

 

 

245,972

       

 

344,019

       

 

 

Japan – 18.5%

     

 

 

BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.

 

6,200

 

 

230,650

Bridgestone Corp.

 

3,600

 

 

146,999

Sony Group Corp.

 

5,300

 

 

476,208

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

 

3,300

 

 

119,197

Toyota Motor Corp.

 

8,500

 

 

135,987

       

 

1,109,041

       

 

 

Netherlands – 8.2%

     

 

 

Adyen NV*

 

144

 

 

249,187

ASML Hldg. NV

 

150

 

 

108,522

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

 

4,000

 

 

136,447

       

 

494,156

       

 

 

Sweden – 2.9%

     

 

 

EQT AB

 

4,200

 

 

80,765

Volvo AB*

 

4,400

 

 

90,976

       

 

171,741

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

11

 

OBERWEIS FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value

Switzerland – 14.6%

     

 

 

Alcon AG

 

1,600

 

$

132,454

Nestle SA

 

1,600

 

 

192,336

Novartis AG*

 

800

 

 

80,438

Roche Hldg. AG

 

600

 

 

183,331

Zurich Insurance Group AG

 

600

 

 

284,818

       

 

873,377

       

 

 

United Kingdom – 15.9%

     

 

 

Anglo American PLC

 

2,900

 

 

82,242

AstraZeneca PLC*

 

1,300

 

 

186,167

BAE Systems PLC

 

8,000

 

 

94,183

BP PLC

 

14,400

 

 

83,823

HSBC Hldgs. PLC

 

32,600

 

 

257,397

Shell PLC

 

4,100

 

 

121,974

Unilever PLC

 

2,500

 

 

130,096

       

 

955,882

       

 

 

United States of America – 5.4%

     

 

 

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

 

1,400

 

 

328,328

       

 

 

Total Equities

     

 

 

(Cost: $5,623,217)

     

$

5,789,200

       

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 2.8%

     

 

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio Class I 4.99%a

 

169,951

 

 

169,951

       

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

     

 

 

(Cost: $169,951)

     

$

169,951

       

 

 

Total Investments – 99.3%

     

 

 

(Cost: $5,793,168)

     

$

5,959,151

       

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.7%

     

 

43,022

       

 

 

Net Assets – 100%

     

$

6,002,173

a Annualized seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2023.

* Non-income producing security during the period ended June 30, 2023

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

12

 

OBERWEIS FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND

Schedule of Investments June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a Percentage of Net Assets)

   

Communication Services

 

4.3

%

Consumer Discretionary

 

19.5

%

Consumer Staples

 

9.6

%

Energy

 

4.7

%

Financials

 

18.6

%

Healthcare

 

12.7

%

Industrials

 

14.6

%

Information Technology

 

8.9

%

Materials

 

3.6

%

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

13

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

   

International
Opportunities
Institutional
Fund

Focused
International
Growth
Fund

 
   

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Investment securities at valuea

$

312,805,893

 

$

5,959,151

 

 
   

Cash

 

78,649

 

 

 

 
   

Foreign Currencyb

 

762,162

 

 

 

 
   

Receivable from securities sold

 

1,046,948

 

 

49,416

 

 
   

Dividends and interest receivable

 

1,893,464

 

 

11,541

 

 
   

Receivable due from advisor (see note 3)

 

 

 

5,579

 

 
   

Prepaid expenses

 

45,078

 

 

11,835

 

 
   

Total Assets

 

316,632,194

 

 

6,037,522

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

1,337,041

 

 

20,081

 

 
   

Payable to advisor (see note 3)

 

232,844

 

 

 

 
   

Accrued expenses

 

116,893

 

 

15,268

 

 
   

Total Liabilities

 

1,686,778

 

 

35,349

 

 
   

NET ASSETS

$

314,945,416

 

$

6,002,173

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value)

 

37,031,944

 

 

694,532

 

 
   

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price

$

8.50

 

$

8.64

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

$

453,531,603

 

$

7,293,670

 

 
   

Accumulated earnings

 

(138,586,187

)

 

(1,291,497

)

 
   

Net Assets

$

314,945,416

 

$

6,002,173

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

a Investment securities at cost

$

276,180,574

 

$

5,793,168

 

 
   

b Foreign currency at cost

$

760,228

 

$

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

14

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Operations Period Ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

International
Opportunities
Institutional
Fund

Focused
International
Growth
Fund

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividendsa

$

4,953,120

 

$

84,498

 

 
   

Interest

 

118,875

 

 

2,075

 

 
   

Total Investment Income

 

5,071,995

 

 

86,573

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees (see note 3)

 

1,757,818

 

 

22,821

 

 
   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

32,172

 

 

7,122

 

 
   

Custodian fees and expenses

 

117,320

 

 

8,124

 

 
   

Accounting services fees

 

68,884

 

 

9,044

 

 
   

Audit Fees

 

10,998

 

 

9,893

 

 
   

Registration Fees

 

15,996

 

 

9,328

 

 
   

Other

 

121,923

 

 

4,107

 

 
   

Total expenses before reimbursed expenses

 

2,125,111

 

 

70,439

 

 
   

Earnings credit (see note 6)

 

(33,461

)

 

(1,943

)

 
   

Expense reimbursement (see note 3)

 

(158,050

)

 

(41,396

)

 
   

Total Expenses

 

1,933,600

 

 

27,100

 

 
   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

 

3,138,395

 

 

59,473

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) FROM INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investment transactions

 

(3,707,391

)

 

(133,131

)

 

   

Net realized gains on foreign currency transactions

 

4,954

 

 

725

 

 
   

Net realized losses on investment and foreign currency transactions

 

(3,702,437

)

 

(132,406

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

 

17,145,782

 

 

744,827

 

 
   

Net realized/unrealized gains on investments and foreign currencies

 

13,443,345

 

 

612,421

 

 
   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

$

16,581,740

 

$

671,894

 

 

a Dividends are net of foreign withholding tax of $579,669 and $9,564 for the International Opportunities. Institutional Fund and Focused International Growth Fund respectively.

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

15

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

International Opportunities
Institutional
Fund

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2023
(unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

 

 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Net investment income

$

3,138,395

 

$

6,730,008

 

 

   

Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(3,702,437

)

 

(163,161,932

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation\depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

17,145,782

 

 

(233,434,243

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

16,581,740

 

 

(389,866,167

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

14,558,648

 

 

43,941,613

 

 

   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(108,039,132

)

 

(340,658,949

)

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(93,480,484

)

 

(296,717,336

)

 
   

Total decrease in net assets

 

(76,898,744

)

 

(686,583,503

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

391,844,160

 

 

1,078,427,663

 

 

   

End of period

$

314,945,416

 

$

391,844,160

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

1,697,009

 

 

4,483,001

 

 

   

Less shares redeemed

 

(12,431,198

)

 

(38,982,152

)

 
   

Net decrease from capital share transactions

 

(10,734,189

)

 

(34,499,151

)

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

16

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

Focused International Growth Fund

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2023
(unaudited)

Period Ended
December 31,
2022a

 

 

 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Net investment income

$

59,473

 

$

57,383

 

 

   

Net realized losses on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(132,406

)

 

(1,381,459

)

 
   

Change in net unrealized appreciation\depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

 

744,827

 

 

(578,751

)

 
   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

671,894

 

 

(1,902,827

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

(63,069

)

 
   

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

 

 

 

(63,069

)

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

319,500

 

 

11,665,393

 

 

   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

37,596

 

 
   

Redemption of shares (see note 5)

 

(66,337

)

 

(4,659,977

)

 
   

Net increase from capital share transactions

 

253,163

 

 

7,043,012

 

 
   

Total increase in net assets

 

925,057

 

 

5,077,116

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

5,077,116

 

 

 

 

   

End of period

$

6,002,173

 

$

5,077,116

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

37,277

 

 

1,278,827

 

 

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

4,889

 

 
   

Less shares redeemed

 

(8,140

)

 

(618,321

)

 
   

Net increase from capital share transactions

 

29,137

 

 

665,395

 

 

a For the period from April 1, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

17

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited)

1. Description of Organization

Description of business.    The Oberweis Funds (the ‘‘Trust’’) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is authorized to operate numerous Funds under various trading strategies. The Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Oberweis Focused International Growth Fund (collectively, the “Funds”) are each Funds in a series issued by the Trust.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Funds are each an investment company and follow accounting and reporting guidance under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services — Investment Companies.”

Investment valuation.    Investments in securities are stated at value as of the close of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) (generally 3 p.m., Central Standard Time). Each listed and unlisted security for which last sale information is regularly reported is valued at the last reported sales price on that day. If there has been no sale on such day, then such security is valued at the current day’s bid price. Any unlisted security for which last sale information is not regularly reported and any listed debt security which has an inactive listed market for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the closing bid price determined on the basis of reasonable inquiry. Options are valued at the last reported bid price on the primary exchange as of the close of the regular trading session of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (‘‘CBOE’’). Restricted securities and any other securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued by appraisal at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board of Trustees. Short-term debt obligations, commercial paper and repurchase agreements are valued on the basis of quoted yields for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type or on the basis of amortized cost.

The Funds hold foreign equity securities. Foreign securities are fair valued as described in the following circumstances. Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is completed each day at various times prior to the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE. Due to the time differences between the closings of the relevant foreign securities exchanges and the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE for the Funds, the Funds will fair value their foreign investments when it is determined that the market quotations for the foreign investments either are not readily available or are unreliable and, therefore, do not represent fair value. When the fair value prices are utilized, these prices will attempt to reflect the impact of the U.S. financial markets’ perceptions and trading activities on the Funds’ foreign investments since the last closing prices of the foreign investments were calculated on their primary foreign securities markets or exchanges. For these purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that movements in relevant indices, after the close of the foreign securities exchanges, may demonstrate that market quotations are unreliable, and may trigger fair value pricing for certain securities. Consequently, fair valuation of portfolio securities may occur on a daily basis. In determining fair value prices, the Trust utilizes data furnished by an independent pricing service (and that data draws upon, among other information, the market values of foreign investments). When a Fund uses fair value pricing, the values assigned to the Fund’s foreign investments may not be the quoted or published prices of the investments on their primary markets or exchanges.

18

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Fair value measurements.    In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) guidance, the Funds utilize the ‘‘Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures’’ to define fair value, set out a framework for measuring fair value, and expand disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurement Standard applies to fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three 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 — Significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds net assets as of June 30, 2023:

 

 

International
Opportunities
Institutional
Fund

 

Focused
International
Growth

Fund

 
   

Level 1 – Equities

 

   

 

   
   

Total Asia

$

64,405,501

 

$

1,109,041

 
   

Total Australia

 

10,182,881

 

 

207,573

 
   

Total Europe

 

190,501,777

 

 

4,144,258

 
   

Total North America

 

42,611,373

 

 

328,328

 
   

Total Short Term-Investments

 

4,751,782

 

 

169,951

 
   

Total Level 1

 

312,453,314

 

 

5,959,151

 
   

Level 2 – Rights

 

   

 

   
   

Total Europe

 

352,579

 

 

 
   

Total Level 2

 

352,579

 

 

 
   

Level 3

 

 

 

 
   

Total Investments

$

312,805,893

 

$

5,959,151

 

The Funds’ assets may include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation. The pricing service provides fair market valuation on days when the movement in relevant indices exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Foreign currency transactions.    The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective date of these transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. These fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments and foreign currencies.

19

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Risks associated with foreign securities and currencies.    Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers of industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and a high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries.

Fund share valuation.    Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuous basis at net asset value. On each day the NYSE is open for trading, the net asset value per share is determined as of the later of the close of the NYSE or the CBOE by dividing the total value of investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.

Investment transactions and investment income.    Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund, and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of premium and discount. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Gains and losses on premiums from expired options are recognized on the date of expiration.

Federal income taxes and dividends to shareholders.    It is the policy of the Funds to continue to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (‘‘the Code’’), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. The Funds have met the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies for the period ended June 30, 2023. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Income and capital gains of the Funds are determined in accordance with both tax regulations and accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (‘‘GAAP’’). Such treatment may result in temporary and permanent differences between tax basis earnings and earnings reported for financial statement purposes. These reclassifications, which have no impact on the net asset value of the Funds, are primarily attributable to certain differences in computation of distributable income and capital gains under federal tax rules versus GAAP.

The Funds may utilize earnings and profits on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, permanent book and tax differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for foreign currency transactions, and passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) adjustments were identified and reclassified among the components of the Fund’s net assets.

20

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, permanent differences in book and tax accounting have been reclassified to paid in capital, accumulated net investment loss and accumulated net realized gain as follows:

   

Increases/(Decrease)

 
   

Capital

 

Accumulated
Earnings

 
   

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$   (6,335,656

)

 

$   6,335,656

 
   

Focused International Growth Fund

(2,505

)

 

2,505

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

 

Distributions
Paid from
Ordinary
Income

 

Distributions
Paid from
Net Long-Term
Capital Gains

 

Total
Distributions
Paid

 
   

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$                    

 

$                   

 

                 

 
   

Focused International Growth Fund

63,069

 

 

63,069

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:

 

Distributions
Paid from
Ordinary
Income

 

Distributions
Paid from
Net Long-Term
Capital Gains

 


Total
Distributions
Paid

 
   

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$                    

 

$    266,497,571

 

   266,497,571

 
   

Focused International Growth Fund

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2022, the following Funds had net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by treasury regulations:

   

Not Subject to Expiration

 
   

Short-Term

 

Long-Term

 
   

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$   152,972,176

 

$   9,407,340

 
   

Focused International Growth Fund

1,288,355

 

 

The International Institutional and Focused International Growth Fund utilized $0 and $0 of capital loss carryforward during the year ended December 31, 2022.

21

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

As of December 31, 2022 the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 


Undistributed
ordinary
income

 


Undistributed
long-term
capital gains

 


Accumulated
capital and
other losses

 


Unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation)
on investments

 

Unrealized
depreciation
foreign
currency
translations

 
   

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$                

 

$                

 

$(162,379,516

)

 

$7,254,861

 

 

         (43,271)

 
   

Focused International Growth Fund

 

 

(1,288,355

)

 

(675,120

)

 

85

 

Accumulated capital and other losses consists of timing differences related to wash sales.

As of December 31, 2022 the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes are as follows:

 

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes

 

Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation

 


Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation)

 



Unrealized
Appreciation

 
 

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

$   379,783,159

 

$   52,564,366

 

$   (45,309,505)

 

$    7,254,861

 
 

Focused International Growth Fund

5,746,382

 

98,631

 

(773,751)

 

(675,120)

 

The Funds have reviewed all open tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for exam by taxing authorities and, as of June 30, 2023, open Federal tax years include the tax years ended 2019 through 2023. The Funds have no examinations in progress and 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 twelve months.

Use of estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Indemnifications.    Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its present and former Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Trusts’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

3. Transactions with Affiliates

The Funds have written agreements with Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (‘‘OAM’’) as the Fund’s investment adviser and manager. Oberweis Securities, Inc. (‘‘OSI’’), the Fund’s principal distributor, is an affiliate of OAM.

22

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

Investment advisory agreement.    Under the Advisory Agreement, OAM provides investment advisory and management services to the Funds. The Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional Fund paid monthly investment advisory and management fees at an annual rate equal to 1.00% of average daily net assets and the Focused International Growth Fund paid investment advisory and management fees at an annual rate equal to 0.80% of average daily net assets. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the International Opportunities Institutional Fund incurred investment advisory and management fees totaling $1,757,818 and the Focused International Growth Fund incurred investment advisory and management fees totaling $22,821.

Expense reimbursement.    OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Focused International Growth Fund to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year 1.10% and 0.95%, respectively expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets. For the period ended June 30, 2023 OAM reimbursed the International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Focused International Growth Fund in the amount of $158,050 and $41,396, respectively.

Officers and trustees.    Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of OAM and OSI. During the period ended June 30, 2023, the Trust made no direct payments to its officers and paid $85,250 to its unaffiliated trustees.

Affiliated commissions.    For the period ended June 30, 2023, the International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Focused International Growth Fund did not execute any security transactions through OSI and therefore did not pay commissions to OSI.

4. Investment Transactions

The cost of securities purchased and proceeds from securities sold during the period ended June 30, 2023, other than options written and money market investments, aggregated $234,498,086 and $326,895,183, respectively for the International Opportunities Institutional Fund, and $2,557,001 and $2,450,749 respectively for the Focused International Growth Fund. There were no long-term purchases or sales of U.S. Government Obligations during the period ended June 30, 2023.

The Funds may write covered call options. The premiums received provide a partial hedge (protection) against declining prices and enables the Fund to generate a higher return during years when OAM does not expect the underlying security to make any major price moves in the near future but still deems the underlying security to be, over the long term, an attractive investment for the Fund. The Fund may write covered call options for which premiums received are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options, which are either exercised or closed, are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. Amounts recovered for securities litigation are included in the realized gains of the Fund and are recorded when received. The Fund did not write covered call options during the period ended June 30, 2023.

5. Redemption Fee

The Fund is designed for long-term investors. To discourage market timers, redemptions of shares within 90 days of purchase are subject to a 2% redemption fee of the total redemption amount. The redemption fee is deducted from the redemption proceeds and is retained by the Fund.

23

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 (unaudited) (continued)

The redemption fee is retained by the Funds for the expense they incur in connection with shareholder redemptions. Redemption fees received by the International Opportunities International Fund and Focused International Growth Fund were $7,704 and $0 respectively for the period ended June 30, 2023 and were recorded as a reduction of the redemption of shares in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

6. Earnings Credits and Interest Charges

The Trust, as part of the agreement with the Custodian, receives credits against its custodian fees on its uninvested cash balances and is allowed to borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowings are not to exceed 5% of the value of each Fund’s total assets at the time of any such borrowing. Interest on amounts borrowed is calculated at the prime rate and is payable monthly. During the period ended June 30, 2023, the International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Focused International Growth Fund received credits of $33,461 and $1,943 respectively. The International Opportunities Institutional Fund and the Focused International Growth Fund incurred interest charges of $30,383 and $166 respectively, which is included in custodian fees and expenses in the Statements of Operations.

7. Subsequent Events

The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

24

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:

 

 

 

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2023
(unaudited)

   



Years Ended December 31,

   
 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

8.20

   

$

13.11

   

$

16.95

   

$

10.41

   

$

8.54

   

$

12.77

   
     
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

 
 

Net investment income (loss)a

   

.08

     

.09

     

(.06

)

   

(.03

)

   

.04

     

.04

   
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

 

.22

   

 

(5.00

)

 

 

.40

   

 

6.66

   

 

1.97

   

 

(3.11

)

 
 

Total from investment operations

   

.30

     

(4.91

)

   

.34

     

6.63

     

2.01

     

(3.07

)

 
 

Redemption feesa

   

c

   

c

   

c

   

c

   

c

   

c

 
                                                     
 

Less dividends and distributions:

                                                 
 

Dividends from net realized gains on investments and foreign currency transactions

   

     

     

(4.18

)

   

(.04

)

   

     

(1.15

)

 
 

Dividends from net investment income

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

(.05

)

 

 

(.14

)

 

 

(.01

)

 
 

Total dividends and distributions

 

 

   

 

   

 

(4.18

)

 

 

(.09

)

 

 

(.14

)

 

 

(1.16

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

8.50

   

$

8.20

   

$

13.11

   

$

16.95

   

$

10.41

   

$

8.54

   
 

Total return (%)

   

3.66

e

   

(37.45

)

   

2.10

     

63.65

     

23.50

     

(23.91

)

 
     
 

RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 
 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

 

$

314,945

   

$

391,844

   

$

1,078,428

   

$

1,197,656

   

$

967,119

   

$

753,138

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)

   

1.21

d

   

1.14

     

1.09

     

1.13

     

1.12

     

1.11

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%)(b)

   

1.10

d

   

1.10

     

1.09

     

1.10

     

1.08

     

1.08

   
 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)

   

1.79

d

   

.99

     

(.32

)

   

(.27

)

   

.37

     

.35

   
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

   

68

e

   

77

     

91

     

134

     

153

     

145

   

Notes:

a The net investment income (loss) per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

b The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

c Less than $0.005 per share

d Annualized.

e Not Annualized.

25

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Financial Highlights (continued)

Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout the period is as follows:

Focused International Growth Fund

   
         

Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2023
(unaudited)

     

Period
Ended
December 31,
2022a

   
 

Net asset value at beginning of period

   

$

7.63

   

$

10.00

   
     
 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
 

Net investment incomeb

     

.09

     

.07

   
 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions

   

 

.92

   

 

(2.34

)

 
 

Total from investment operations

     

1.01

     

(2.27

)

 
 

Redemption Feesb

     

   

 

   
     
 

Less dividends and distributions:

   
 

Dividends from net investment income

   

 

   

 

(.10

)

 
 

Total dividends and distributions

   

 

   

 

(.10

)

 
 

Net asset value at end of period

   

$

        8.64

   

$

        7.63

   
 

Total Return (%)e

   

 

13.24

   

 

(22.75

)

 
     
 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

 
 

Net Assets at end of period (in thousands)

   

$

6,002

   

$

5,077

   
 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%)d

     

2.47

     

1.97

   
 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%)c,d

     

.95

     

.95

   
 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%)d

   

2.08

     

1.18

   
 

Portfolio turnover rate (%)e

     

45

     

54

   

Notes:

a For the period from April 1, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.

b The net investment income per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period.

c The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements with the custodian and expense reimbursement from the advisor.

d Annualized.

e Not Annualized

26

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Liquidity Risk Management Program:

Consistent with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), The Oberweis Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “LRMP”). The LRMP seeks to assess and manage the Funds liquidity risk, which is defined as the risk that a Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved an officer of the Funds (the “Administrator”) to serve as the administrator of the Funds’ LRMP.

The Funds LRMP includes a number of processes designed to support the assessment and management of its liquidity risk. In particular, the LRMP includes no less than annual assessments of factors that influence each Fund’s liquidity risk; no less than monthly classifications of a Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity classifications provided for in the Liquidity Rule; a 15% of net assets limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); establishment of a minimum percentage of a Fund’s assets to be invested in investments classified as “highly liquid” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule) if the Fund does not invest primarily in highly liquid investments; and regular reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board on May 17, 2023, the Administrator provided a written report (the “LRMP Report”) to the Board addressing the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Funds LRMP, including if and as applicable, (1) the operation of the Highly Liquid Investment Minimum established for each applicable Fund; (2) an assessment of the quality of the data and analysis provided, and of the particular methodologies used and metrics analyzed, by any third-party vendor engaged; and (3) a summary of any material changes to the LRMP during the prior annual period. The LRMP Report covered the period from May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 (the “Reporting Period”). The LRMP Report concluded that the LRMP had operated adequately and effectively to manage the Funds’ liquidity risk during the Reporting Period. There were no material changes to the LRMP during the Reporting Period. The LRMP Report further concluded that the Funds’ investment strategies were appropriate for an open-end fund and did not involve relatively concentrated portfolios.

There can be no assurance that the LRMP will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future.

Proxy Voting:

The Oberweis Funds has delegated authority to vote proxies related to the Funds portfolio securities to the Fund’s investment advisor, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”). A description of the policies and procedures that OAM uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available, without charge upon request, by calling 1-800-323-6166. It also appears on www.oberweisfunds.com and in the Funds Statement of Additional Information, which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov. Information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-323-6166, and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year (March 31 and September 30) on Form NPORT. The Funds Form NPORT are available, without charge, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov

27

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Effective March 9, 2023, BBD LLP (“BBD”) ceased to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the replacement of BBD as a result of Cohen & Company, Ltd.’s (“Cohen”) acquisition of BBD’s investment management group. On March 9, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees also recommended and approved the appointment of Cohen as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023.

The reports of BBD, LLP on the Funds’ financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the Funds’ most recent year, and through March 9, 2023, there were no disagreements with BBD, LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BBD, LLP, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the Funds’ financial statements for such years. During the year ended December 31, 2022, and through March 9, 2023, there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

The Funds requested BBD, LLP to furnish them with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. A copy of such letter will be filed as an Exhibit to the Form N-CSR filing.

Expense Examples:

As a shareholder of The Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (and/or service) 12b-1 fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in The 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 investment at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses:

The first line for each Fund in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below; 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

28

 

THE OBERWEIS FUNDS

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:

The second line for each Fund in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of 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 for each Fund in 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.

 

 

Beginning
Account
Value
1/1/23

 

Ending
Account
Value
6/30/23

 

Expenses Paid
During Period*
1/1/23 – 6/30/23

 

Expense Ratio
During Period
1/1/23 – 6/30/23

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTITUTIONAL FUND

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

 

$

1,036.60

 

$

5.55

 

1.10%

Hypothetical

 

$

1,000.00

 

$

1,019.34

 

$

5.51

 

1.10%

   

 

   

 

   

 

     

FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

 

$

1,132.40

 

$

5.02

 

0.95%

Hypothetical

 

$

1,000.00

 

$

1,020.08

 

$

4.76

 

0.95%

* Expenses are equal to the average account value times the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year.

29

 

Trustees and Officers

   

Michael J. Simon
Trustee

James W. Oberweis
President, Trustee

David I. Covas
Vice President

Kenneth S. Farsalas
Vice President

 

Katherine Smith Dedrick
Trustee

Alix J. Charles
Trustee

Eric V. Hannemann
Treasurer

Thomas P. Joyce
Secretary
Chief Compliance Officer

Manager and Investment Advisor

Oberweis Asset Management, Inc.

3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532

800-323-6166

oberweisfunds.com

Distributor

Oberweis Securities, Inc.

3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532

630-577-2300

oberweisfunds.com

Custodian

UMB Bank, n.a.

928 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106

Transfer Agent

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 711, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0711

800-245-7311

Counsel

Vedder Price P.C.

222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Cohen & Co.

1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

International Opportunities Institutional Fund

Focused International Growth Fund

800-245-7311

oberweisfunds.com

 

3333 Warrenville Road

Suite 500

Lisle, IL 60532

 

 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not required for the Semi-Annual Report.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Not required for the Semi-Annual Report.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not required for the Semi-Annual Report.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not Applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

See Schedule of Investments in Item 1.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not Applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not Applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not Applicable to the registrant.

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 since registrant last disclosed such procedures in its proxy statement dated April 16, 2004.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)     The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

(b)    There has been no change to the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the first and 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)

 

Not required for the Semi-Annual Report.

     

(a) (2)

 

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17CFR 270.30a-2) in the exact form set forth below: are attached hereto.

     

(a) (2) (2)

 

Change in the Registrant’s independent public accountant during the period covered by the report.

     

(a) (3)

 

Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.23c-1) 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 the registrant.

     

(b)

 

The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

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 Oberweis Funds

   

By (Signature and Title*)

 

/s/ James W. Oberweis

   
   

James W. Oberweis
President, The Oberweis Funds

   

Date 9/7/2023

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/ James W. Oberweis

   
   

James W. Oberweis
President, The Oberweis Funds

   

Date 9/7/2023

By (Signature and Title*)

 

/s/ Eric V. Hannemann

   
   

Eric V. Hannemann
Treasurer, The Oberweis Funds

   

Date 9/7/2023

____________

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