N-CSR 1 d204707dncsr.htm THE RBB FUND, INC. The RBB Fund, Inc.

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  811-05518                

                             The RBB Fund, Inc.                            

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Bellevue Park Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

                             Wilmington, DE 19809                            

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Faia

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

103 Bellevue Parkway

                             Wilmington, DE 19809                            

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  302-791-1851

Date of fiscal year end:  August 31

Date of reporting period:  August 31, 2016

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, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


LOGO

ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.



ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) Class I Shares returned -1.68% net of fees for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2016. The period commenced with relatively strong trends in energy and industrial metals prior to corrections in these sectors at the start of 2016. Trends were exhibited in global bond markets through most of the period, although choppy trading conditions in currency and equity markets proved difficult for the Fund’s allocation to trendfollowing strategies. The Fund allocates to its underlying trading advisors through its investment in Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited (the “ACOF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. The Fund invests up to 25% of its assets into the ACOF.

 

 

   2016 YTD   SEPT. 1, 2015 TO
AUG. 31, 2016
  SEPT. 1, 2014 TO
AUG. 31, 2015
  ANNUALIZED SINCE
INCEPTION ON

JULY 1, 2014
Class I Shares        (2.32 )%       (1.68 )%       18.46 %       9.05 %
Class A Shares* (pro forma July 1, 2014 to Aug. 29, 2014)        (2.49 )%       (1.94 )%       18.17 %       8.78 %
Class A Shares* (max load) (pro forma July 1, 2014 to Aug. 29, 2014)        (8.12 )%       (7.56 )%       11.40 %       5.85 %
Class C Shares** (pro forma July 1, 2014 to Oct. 6, 2015)        (2.98 )%       (2.64 )%       17.28 %       7.98 %
BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index        0.19 %       0.23 %       0.03 %       0.12 %
S&P 500 Total Return Index        7.82 %       12.55 %       0.48 %       7.09 %
Barclay CTA Index        0.65 %       0.47 %       4.01 %       2.46 %

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the returns quoted. Visit www.abbeycapital.com for returns updated daily. Call (U.S. toll-free) 1-844-261-6484 or (international callers) + 1-508-871-3276 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

Please note the performance of the above referenced indices is shown for illustrative purposes only.

*Performance figures for Class A include the performance of Class I from July 1 to August 29, 2014, adjusted for the fees and expenses of Class A. Returns for Class A with load reflect a deduction for the maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%.

**Class C performance prior to October 6, 2015 is the performance of Class I, adjusted for the Class C expense ratio.

Abbey Capital Limited (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses in order to the limit total fund annual operating expenses (excluding certain items) to 1.99% for Class I, 2.24% for Class A and 2.99% for Class C. The expense limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. Without the limitation arrangement, the expense ratios are 2.46% for Class I, 2.71% for Class A and 3.46% for Class C, as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). The quoted performance would have been lower without the expense limitation. Please see pages 26-28 for current figures.

Market Commentary

Concerns over the global economy, energy market volatility and divergence in monetary policy between the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) and other major central banks were some of the key market drivers over the year. Investor risk appetite improved early in the period as the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) responded to the economic downturn by cutting interest rates. In the eurozone, persistently weak inflation prompted speculation of increased stimulus from the European Central Bank (“ECB”); ultimately, the ECB increased its asset-purchase program in December, but the measures fell short of expectations and triggered a reversal in the EUR and eurozone bonds. In contrast, the Fed raised interest rates in December, ending speculation that had dominated markets for much of 2015. The removal of uncertainty was taken positively by equity markets, which had a strong finish to 2015, despite the fact that oil markets remained pressured by persistent supply glut concerns.

 

1


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

In early 2016, weak Chinese economic data sparked a sell-off in global equities, with significant declines in crude oil accelerating the downtrend. Banking stocks were particularly pressured amid fears over nonperforming energy loans, while decisions by central banks to adopt negative rates raised additional fears over the profitability of the banking sector. The risk-averse environment drove strong demand for perceived safe-haven assets such as core government debt and gold. Global equities recovered somewhat from mid-February after fresh stimulus measures from the ECB and the PBOC, although the weak inflation outlook continued to support demand for sovereign bonds. EUR/USD also appreciated strongly, despite the ECB’s reduction in their key policy rate, while the JPY benefited from the sell-off in risk assets.

Risk appetite recovered further during April and May 2016, as a rebound in oil prices and improved US data supported global equities. The Fed continued to delay a second rate hike, but an improvement in US labour market conditions prompted Fed policymakers to acknowledge that further improvements in economic data would probably warrant a summer rate hike. Sentiment changed sharply in June following a particularly weak US nonfarm payrolls report, while the UK’s decision to leave the EU provoked declines in UK and eurozone equities. Heightened levels of risk aversion overcame markets following the UK referendum, with the GBP sustaining a heavy depreciation, although US equities remained firm as investors speculated that the impact of Brexit would mostly be felt in Europe.

Central bank policy returned to the fore near the end of the period, as increased US rate hike prospects contrasted with expectations of easing from other major central banks. The Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates and increase its asset-purchasing programme fuelled a rally in UK and eurozone equities. Furthermore, speculation of oil-producer cooperation saw crude oil prices rally in August, supporting risk assets. US equities touched all time highs before correcting slightly as hawkish commentary from various Fed officials lifted expectations of a 2016 US rate hike. Consequentially, a sell-off in treasuries spilled over into European bond markets, while precious metals sustained losses as the higher US yields discouraged investors from purchasing non-interest bearing assets.

Performance Attribution

Negative performance for ACOF was driven by losses in major currencies. Within this sector, long USD positions against the EUR and CHF, as well as mixed AUD/USD exposure were the primary detractors. Losses in equities were driven by short Nikkei 225, long CAC 40 and long Nasdaq 100 positioning. In base metals, losses stemmed from trading in lead and aluminum, while losses in soft commodities stemmed from long cocoa and short coffee exposure. Performance in interest rates was also negative, with a short Eurodollar 3-month position generating losses. Positive performance was seen from bond trading, with long positions in German contracts driving gains. In energy, mostly short positions in natural gas and crude oil proved profitable, while precious metal gains stemmed from mixed gold exposure over the period.

At the trading style level, Global Macro and Value managers performed negatively, while Diversified Trendfollowing (“Trendfollowing”) managers were positive. The largest losses for Global Macro managers were incurred in major currencies and interest rates, due to long USD positions against the EUR and short positions in US interest rate futures. Trendfollowing managers were similarly hampered by short EUR/USD and long USD/CHF positions. Negative performance for Value managers stemmed from spread trading in bonds, as gains from mostly long German 10-year bond positions were outweighed by losses from short positions in Australian and Japanese debt. Further losses came from mixed positions in UK and US 10-year contracts. In contrast, Trendfollowing managers were positive in bonds, benefiting from long positions in German, US and Japanese debt, while further positive performance was seen in energy, as Trendfollowing managers captured gains from the downtrend in energy prices at the start of the period.

 

2


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Portfolio Allocations

 

MANAGER

     PROGRAM      TRADING STYLE*      ALLOCATION
DATE
 

Cantab Capital Partners, LLP

     CCP Core Macro Fund      Diversified Trendfollowing        July 02, 2014   

Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited

     Altis Emerald      Diversified Trendfollowing        July 10, 2014   

P/E Global, LLC

     P/E Emerald      Global Macro        July 14, 2014   

Harmonic Capital Partners LLP

     Harmonic Emerald      Value        July 17, 2014   

Revolution Capital Management, LLC

     Revolution Emerald      Diversified Trendfollowing        July 02, 2014   

Eclipse Capital Management, Inc.

     Eclipse Emerald      Diversified Trendfollowing        July 14, 2014   

Graham Capital Management L.P.

     Tactical Trend      Diversified Trendfollowing        July 02, 2014   

Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC

     Trigon Emerald      Global Macro        July 02, 2014   

Conquest Capital, LLC

     Conquest Emerald      Global Macro        October 27, 2015   

 

 

* Trading advisors appointed to ACOF have been classified in accordance with the Trading Style that best describes each of their primary trading strategies as determined by the Adviser.

 

AUD

  

Australian Dollar

CAD

  

Canadian Dollar

JPY

  

Japanese Yen

EUR

  

Euro

GBP

  

British Pound Sterling

CHF

  

Swiss Franc

TRY

  

Turkish Lira

ZAR

  

South African Rand

BRL

  

Brazilian Real

USD

  

US Dollar

 

3


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund - Class A Shares vs. BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, S&P 500 Total Return Index and Barclay CTA Index

 

LOGO

Class A Shares growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425. Performance of Class C Shares will vary from Class A Shares due to the difference in class specific fees.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

  

     One
    Year    
     Since
Inception†
 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class A Shares (without sales charge) (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to Aug. 29, 2014)

     -1.94%         8.78%

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class A Shares (with sales charge) (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to Aug. 29, 2014)

     -7.56%         5.85%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

     0.23%         0.12% ** 

S&P 500 Total Return Index

     12.55%         7.09% ** 

Barclay CTA Index

     0.47%         2.46% ** 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class C Shares (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to Oct. 6, 2015)

     -2.64%         7.98% *** 

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

     0.23%         0.12% ** 

S&P 500 Total Return Index

     12.55%         7.09% ** 

Barclay CTA Index

     0.47%         2.46% ** 

 

Inception dates of Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund were August 29, 2014 and October 6, 2015, respectively.

 

*

Class A Share performance prior to its inception on August 29, 2014 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class A Shares expense ratio.

 

**

Performance is from the inception date of the Fund and is not the inception date of the index itself. The above is shown for illustrative purposes only the Fund is not benchmarked against any of the indices referenced.

 

***

Class C Shares performance prior to its inception on October 6, 2015 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class C Shares expense ratio.

The Barclay CTA Index is derived from data which is self-reported by investment managers based on the performance of privately managed funds. In contrast, the S&P 500 Total Return Index and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index are comprised of publicly traded securities. As a result of these differences, these indices may not be directly comparable and the above is shown for illustrative purposes only.

 

4


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

An investment in the Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of their investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards, spot contracts, swaps, and options, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should be read carefully before investing.

The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 2.24% and 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. Without the limitation arrangement, the expense ratios are 2.71% for Class A Shares and 3.46% for Class C Shares, as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see pages 26 and 28 for current figures.

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is the total return version of the S&P 500® Index. Dividends are reinvested on a daily basis and all regular cash dividends are assumed reinvested in the index on the ex-dividend date.

The Barclay CTA Index is a leading industry benchmark of representative performance of commodity trading advisors.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

5


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund – Class I Shares vs. BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, S&P 500 Total Return Index and Barclay CTA Index

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

  

    

ONE
   YEAR  

   SINCE
INCEPTION

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class I Shares

       -1.68%          9.05%  

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

       0.23%          0.12% *

S&P 500 Total Return Index

       12.55%          7.09% *

Barclay CTA Index

      

 

0.47%

 

 

 

      

 

2.46%

 

*

 

 

Inception date of Class I Shares of the Fund was July 1, 2014.

 

*

Benchmark performance is from the inception date of Class I Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

The Barclay CTA Index is derived from data which is self-reported by investment managers based on the performance of privately managed funds. In contrast, the S&P 500 Total Return Index and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index are comprised of publicly traded securities. As a result of these differences these indices may not be directly comparable and the above is shown for illustrative purposes only.

An investment in the Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of their investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards, spot contracts, swaps, and options, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. Without the limitation arrangement, the expense ratio is 2.46% for Class I Shares, as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see page 27 for current figures.

 

6


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is the total return version of the S&P 500® Index. Dividends are reinvested on a daily basis and all regular cash dividends are assumed reinvested in the index on the ex-dividend date.

The Barclay CTA Index is a leading industry benchmark of representative performance of commodity trading advisors.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

7


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, (if any) and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line of the accompanying table 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 the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (if any). Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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.

 

     CLASS A SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2016    AUGUST 31, 2016    DURING PERIOD

Actual*

   $1,000.00      $ 935.60    $11.04  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,013.72    11.49
     CLASS I SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2016    AUGUST 31, 2016    DURING PERIOD

Actual**

   $1,000.00      $937.30    $9.84

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,014.98    10.23
     CLASS C SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2016    AUGUST 31, 2016    DURING PERIOD

Actual***

   $1,000.00    $931.60    $14.66  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,009.95    15.26

 

8


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

 

*

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 of 2.26% for the Class A Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) then divided by 366 days to reflect the one-half year period. The annualized amount of interest expense was 0.02% for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 2.24%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month return for the Class A Shares of the Fund of (6.44%).

 

**

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 of 2.01% for the Class I Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) then divided by 366 days to reflect the one-half year period. The annualized amount of interest expense was 0.02% for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 1.99%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month return for the Class I Shares of the Fund of (6.27%).

 

***

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 of 3.01% for the Class C Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) then divided by 366 days to reflect the one-half year period. The annualized amount of interest expense was 0.02% for the period March 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 2.99%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month return for the Class C Shares of the Fund of (6.84%).

 

9


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at August 31, 2016.

 

     OF NET         
SECURITY TYPE    ASSETS      VALUE  

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

     

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     84.8%       $ 648,676,904   

PURCHASED OPTIONS

     0.3            2,398,431   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

(including futures, forward foreign currency contracts and written options)

     14.9            114,271,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0%       $   765,346,431   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Refer to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

 

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

 

10


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

 

            MATURITY       PAR        
      COUPON*         DATE           (000’S)           VALUE  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 84.8%

       

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—84.8%

       

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.420%         09/01/16      $ 35,866      $ 35,866,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.382%         09/22/16        63,136        63,128,487   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.335%         10/13/16        33,115        33,105,827   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.410%         11/17/16        49,300        49,272,293   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.340%         12/01/16        52,269        52,225,669   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.278%         12/22/16        92,286        92,192,607   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.376%         01/05/17        55,218        55,150,524   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.401%         01/12/17        10,851        10,836,688   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.347%         01/19/17        26,302        26,264,046   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.373%         01/26/17        2,218        2,214,305   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.399%         02/02/17        72,875        72,740,108   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.408%         02/09/17        122,858        122,617,567   

U.S. Treasury Bills

    0.416%         02/16/17        33,131        33,062,783   
       

 

 

 
          648,676,904   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $ 648,686,988)

          648,676,904   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.3%**
(Cost $ 2,788,103)

          2,398,431   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 85.1%
(Cost $ 651,475,091)

          651,075,335   
       

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 14.9%

          114,271,096   
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

        $ 765,346,431   
       

 

 

 

 

 

*

Short-term investments reflect the annualized effective yield on the date of purchase for discounted investments.

**

See page 20 for detail information regarding the Purchased Options.

 

 

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

 

11


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF                 NOTIONAL                 APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                COST         (DEPRECIATION)      

10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond Futures

  09/09/16     14                  $ 2,057,121      $ (8,099

2-Year Euro Swapnote Futures

  09/19/16     38                    4,767,122        151   

3-Month Euro Euribor

  12/19/16     6                    1,678,862        (251

3-Month Euro Euribor

  03/13/17     485                    135,727,775        (26,506

3-Month Euro Euribor

  06/19/17     18                    5,036,907        (70

3-Month Euro Euribor

  09/18/17     67                    18,747,434        1,729   

3-Month Euro Euribor

  12/18/17     457                    127,848,675        43,781   

3-Month Euro Euribor

  03/19/18     82                    22,944,506        3,374   

3-Month Euro Euribor

  06/18/18     88                    24,630,717        (4,950

3-Month Euro Euribor

  09/17/18     3                    839,794        (321

3-Month Euro Euribor

  12/17/18     3                    839,250        139   

3-Month Euro Euribor

  03/18/19     2                    559,704        (167

3-Month Euro Euribor

  06/17/19     1                    279,782        (56

5-Year Euro Swapnote Futures

  09/19/16     86                    12,500,078        44,506   

90-Day Bank Bill

  12/08/16     143                    107,012,526        23,926   

90-Day Bank Bill

  03/09/17     165                    123,484,744        37,055   

90-Day Bank Bill

  06/08/17     174                    130,225,514        43,436   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  12/19/16     2,353                    584,274,775        (1,613,150

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  06/18/18     5                    1,237,487        (2,175

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  09/17/18     12                    2,967,712        (3,862

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  12/17/18     10                    2,470,750        (1,875

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  03/18/19     13                    3,213,075        (4,350

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  06/17/19     16                    3,953,238        (5,239

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  09/16/19     23                    5,679,475        (6,238

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  12/16/19     14                    3,453,100        (1,225

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  03/16/20     14                    3,452,262        (1,262

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  09/21/16     3                    490,788        (205

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  12/21/16     113                    18,481,412        11,129   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  03/15/17     1,714                    279,774,336        779,418   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  06/21/17     162                    26,500,597        18,811   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  09/20/17     118                    19,306,544        11,999   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  12/20/17     663                    108,266,336        277,681   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  03/21/18     124                    20,260,873        39,969   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  06/20/18     126                    20,585,039        41,167   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  09/19/18     7                    1,145,375        410   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  12/19/18     5                    817,860        394   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  03/20/19     3                    490,542        312   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

  06/19/19     1                    163,470        115   

Amsterdam Index Futures

  09/16/16     61                    6,111,099        71,233   

AUD/CAD Futures

  09/19/16     16                    2,406,405        (2,867

AUD/USD Currency Futures

  09/19/16     281                    21,082,909        20,191   

Australian 10-Year Bond Futures

  09/15/16     490                    50,083,096        697,760   

Australian 3-Year Bond Futures

  09/15/16     173                    14,723,347        37,828   

Brent Crude Futures

  10/14/16     188                    9,281,030        (465,710

Brent Crude Futures

  11/15/16     6                    295,730        (12,110

Brent Crude Futures

  11/30/16     6                    303,110        (17,030

Brent Crude Futures

  12/29/16     6                    302,940        (14,400

Brent Crude Futures

  01/31/17     6                    302,750        (11,690

Brent Crude Futures

  02/28/17     4                    205,640        (10,120

CAC40 10 Euro Futures

  09/16/16     453                    22,563,865        (138,723

CAD Currency Futures

  09/20/16     178                    13,808,439        (237,719

Canadian 10-Year Bond Futures

  12/19/16     421                    47,062,811        54,903   

Cocoa Futures

  03/16/17     5                    150,620        (6,870

Cocoa Futures

  05/15/17     6                    180,530        (8,330

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  09/15/16     22                    696,676        (15,180

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  12/13/16     136                    4,239,150        (117,343

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  03/16/17     54                    1,676,887        (75,033

 

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

 

12


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF                 NOTIONAL                 APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                COST         (DEPRECIATION)      

Coffee ‘C’ Futures

  12/19/16     91                  $ 4,896,262      $ 121,819   

Coffee ‘C’ Futures

  03/21/17     6                    340,631        (2,681

Coffee ‘C’ Futures

  05/18/17     5                    284,288        900   

Coffee Robusta Futures

  11/30/16     32                    572,690        12,270   

Coffee Robusta Futures

  01/31/17     61                    1,104,450        22,220   

Coffee Robusta Futures

  03/31/17     4                    74,320        160   

Cotton No.2 Futures

  10/07/16     3                    110,185        (12,205

Cotton No.2 Futures

  12/07/16     44                    1,485,585        (42,825

Cotton No.2 Futures

  03/09/17     7                    264,355        (33,320

DAX Index Futures

  09/16/16     96                    28,053,555        351,576   

DJIA Mini E-CBOT

  09/16/16     219                    19,707,195        435,330   

Dollar Index

  09/19/16     40                    3,873,565        (33,085

E-Mini Crude Oil

  10/19/16     1                    23,762        (1,109

E-Mini Crude Oil

  11/18/16     2                    48,462        (2,552

E-Mini Natural Gas

  10/26/16     3                    22,388        135   

EUR/CHF Futures

  09/19/16     24                    3,338,652        7,085   

EUR/GBP Futures

  09/19/16     19                    2,662,132        (9,816

Euro BUXL 30-Year Bond Futures

  09/08/16     18                    3,917,390        (42,722

Euro E-Mini Futures

  09/19/16     6                    424,781        (6,038

Euro STOXX 50

  09/16/16     158                    5,298,695        41,405   

Euro-Bobl Futures

  09/08/16     735                    109,092,482        431,947   

Euro-Bobl Futures

  12/08/16     685                    100,583,826        (38,204

Euro-BTP Futures

  09/08/16     36                    5,785,086        57,635   

Euro-Bund Futures

  09/08/16     664                    123,509,928        461,428   

Euro-Bund Futures

  12/08/16     202                    37,186,927        (83,369

Euro-Oat Futures

  09/08/16     14                    2,523,770        (5,020

Euro-Schatz Futures

  09/08/16     285                    35,615,756        (7,446

FTSE 100 Index Futures

  09/16/16     727                    63,776,023        1,007,006   

FTSE 250 Index Futures

  09/16/16     44                    1,995,207        50,149   

Gasoline RBOB Futures

  10/31/16     4                    233,617        (11,420

Gasoline RBOB Futures

  11/30/16     7                    405,804        (19,723

Gasoline RBOB Futures

  12/30/16     8                    464,730        (22,117

Gold 100 Oz Futures

  10/27/16     6                    806,150        (21,410

Gold 100 Oz Futures

  12/28/16     242                    32,538,540        (802,660

Gold 100 Oz Futures

  02/24/17     9                    1,221,010        (37,870

Hang Seng Index Futures

  09/29/16     252                    37,105,001        136,834   

H-Shares Index Futures

  09/29/16     77                    4,722,206        17,370   

IBEX 35 Index Futures

  09/16/16     26                    2,486,397        43,825   

JPN 10-Year Bond (Osaka Securities Exchange)

  09/12/16     51                    74,908,423        (275,359

JPY Currency Futures

  09/19/16     521                    64,163,707        (1,161,782

JPY E-Mini Futures

  09/19/16     41                    2,521,750        (42,788

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

  09/21/16     13                    174,346        345,898   

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

  10/19/16     51                    2,173,121        (125,790

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

  11/16/16     39                    1,654,568        (84,086

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

  12/21/16     515                    21,354,580        (538,924

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

  09/21/16     275                    33,196,750        (1,521,906

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

  09/21/16     6                    338,496        (53,496

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

  10/19/16     16                    744,345        16,455   

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

  11/16/16     7                    328,275        4,925   

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

  09/21/16     3                    207,549        (32,562

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

  10/19/16     7                    469,482        (60,507

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

  11/16/16     4                    278,184        (44,052

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

  09/21/16     4                    337,925        39,935   

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

  10/19/16     3                    268,550        14,740   

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

  11/16/16     5                    461,950        10,050   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

  09/21/16     20                    462,836        691,039   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

  10/19/16     38                    2,114,389        80,348   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

  11/16/16     24                    1,370,525        17,125   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

  12/21/16     69                    3,978,500        14,444   

 

 

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

 

13


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF                 NOTIONAL                 APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                COST         (DEPRECIATION)      

Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures

  09/12/16     4                  $ 174,000      $ (8,200

Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures

  11/10/16     11                    485,875        (20,850

Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures

  12/12/16     12                    533,100        (22,200

Mini HSI Index Futures

  09/29/16     65                    1,914,322        6,884   

MSCI Singapore Exchange ETS

  09/29/16     43                    1,003,677        (24,030

MSCI Taiwan Index

  09/29/16     100                    3,380,560        (27,560

Nasdaq 100 E-Mini

  09/16/16     902                    85,576,185        542,265   

Natural Gas Futures

  09/28/16     365                    10,371,200        166,350   

Natural Gas Futures

  10/27/16     5                    148,550        1,600   

Natural Gas Futures

  11/28/16     1                    31,910        120   

Natural Gas Futures

  03/29/17     2                    61,040        (560

Natural Gas Futures

  04/26/17     17                    514,400        (5,760

Natural Gas Futures

  05/26/17     8                    240,900        540   

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel  Futures

  09/30/16     206                    13,019,047        (683,890

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

  10/31/16     6                    384,636        (20,521

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

  11/30/16     7                    453,180        (23,499

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

  12/30/16     6                    390,923        (18,089

Nikkei 225 (Chicago Mercantile Exchange)

  09/08/16     7                    586,525        5,850   

Nikkei 225 (Singapore Exchange)

  09/08/16     3                    242,449        2,344   

Nikkei 225 Mini

  09/08/16     59                    954,685        8,452   

NZD Futures

  09/19/16     76                    5,445,840        64,160   

OMX Stockholm 30 Index Futures

  09/16/16     23                    378,068        2,841   

Palladium Futures

  12/28/16     9                    618,560        (15,605

Platinum Futures

  10/27/16     8                    448,330        (26,930

Rapeseed Euro

  10/31/16     53                    1,113,608        (11,782

Rapeseed Euro

  01/31/17     87                    1,822,881        (17,861

Rapeseed Euro

  04/28/17     38                    794,060        (10,429

Russell 2000 Mini

  09/16/16     119                    14,275,600        466,120   

S&P 500 E-Mini Futures

  09/16/16     406                    43,536,325        504,525   

S&P Mid 400 E-mini

  09/16/16     44                    6,661,470        219,250   

S&P/TSX 60 IX Futures

  09/15/16     95                    12,147,940        168,592   

SGX Nifty 50

  09/29/16     192                    3,351,276        45,012   

Silver Futures

  12/28/16     46                    4,352,180        (49,570

Silver Futures

  03/29/17     3                    294,850        (12,640

Soybean Futures

  11/14/16     61                    3,164,625        (288,475

Soybean Meal Futures

  12/14/16     49                    1,815,430        (312,600

Soybean Oil Futures

  10/14/16     46                    929,706        (29,946

Soybean Oil Futures

  12/14/16     2                    133,584        (94,140

Soybean Oil Futures

  01/13/17     40                    809,304        (15,384

Sugar No. 11 (World)

  09/30/16     197                    4,251,038        175,000   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

  02/28/17     59                    1,331,859        26,746   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

  04/28/17     66                    1,458,128        23,229   

Swiss Federal Bond Futures

  09/08/16     7                    1,204,016        4,748   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes (Chicago Board of
Trade)

  12/20/16     480                    63,042,266        (199,766

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes (Chicago Board of
Trade)

  12/30/16     17                    3,713,500        (2,187

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes (Chicago Board of
Trade)

  12/30/16     455                    55,288,094        (119,344

U.S. Treasury Long Bond (Chicago Board of
Trade)

  12/20/16     132                    22,550,969        (61,469

U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond (Chicago Board
of Trade)

  12/20/16     10                    1,866,484        8,204   

USD/SEK Futures

  09/19/16     3                    293,544        6,337   

White Sugar (Intercontinental Exchange)

  09/15/16     16                    418,355        4,925   

White Sugar (Intercontinental Exchange)

  11/15/16     39                    1,003,135        44,600   

White Sugar (Intercontinental Exchange)

  02/13/17     51                    1,389,755        (8,930

WTI Crude Futures

  09/20/16     100                    4,794,520        (324,520

WTI Crude Futures

  10/20/16     1                    48,170        (2,860

WTI Crude Futures

  11/21/16     1                    48,820        (2,910

 

 

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

 

14


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF     NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                            COST                      (DEPRECIATION)      

WTI Crude Futures

  12/20/16     2                  $ 98,230      $ (5,210

WTI Crude Futures

  01/20/17     2                    99,880        (5,760

WTI Crude Futures

  02/21/17     6                    303,780        (18,540

WTI Crude Futures

  03/21/17     6                    304,690        (16,930

WTI Crude Futures

  04/20/17     6                    303,920        (14,180
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 3,256,080,599      $ (1,318,933
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF     NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                          COST                      (DEPRECIATION)      

3-Month Euroyen Futures

  09/16/16     1                  $ (241,483   $ (12

3-Month Euroyen Futures

  12/19/16     85                    (20,540,895     4,603   

3-Month Euroyen Futures

  03/13/17     27                    (6,524,127     (1,776

3-Month Euroyen Futures

  06/19/17     25                    (6,041,548     (2,163

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  09/19/16     127                    (31,476,162     7,150   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  03/13/17     94                    (23,274,250     6,900   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  06/19/17     90                    (22,272,512     5,388   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  09/18/17     64                    (15,832,400     4,400   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  12/18/17     2,679                    (664,113,165     1,864,365   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  03/19/18     7                    (1,729,538     (425

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

  06/18/18     5                    (1,235,275     (37

AUD/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     21                    (3,128,169     (23,100

AUD/NZD Futures

  09/19/16     36                    (5,478,207     66,334   

Bank Acceptance Futures

  09/19/16     17                    (3,212,368     886   

Bank Acceptance Futures

  12/19/16     132                    (24,927,453     (4,985

Bank Acceptance Futures

  03/13/17     195                    (36,825,730     (6,281

Bank Acceptance Futures

  06/19/17     164                    (30,970,690     (5,976

CAD/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     19                    (2,895,627     1,140   

Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)

  11/14/16     106                    (761,473     20,750   

Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)

  01/13/17     94                    (665,416     (340

Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)

  03/14/17     69                    (500,238     5,547   

Cattle Feeder Futures

  10/27/16     10                    (684,838     (6,912

Cattle Feeder Futures

  11/17/16     11                    (738,712     (6,125

CBOE VIX Futures

  09/21/16     1                    (14,950     375   

CBOE VIX Futures

  10/19/16     5                    (83,650     25   

CHF Currency Futures

  09/19/16     28                    (3,268,361     (294,639

CHF/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     14                    (3,532,426     (27,280

Cocoa Futures

  12/14/16     26                    (762,090     8,610   

Copper Futures

  12/28/16     149                    (7,826,138     87,450   

Copper Futures

  03/29/17     25                    (1,312,188     8,125   

Copper Futures

  05/26/17     9                    (473,138     2,100   

Corn Futures

  12/14/16     1,049                    (17,235,262     687,288   

Corn Futures

  03/14/17     47                    (852,562     86,463   

Corn Futures

  05/12/17     47                    (879,125     95,400   

Corn Futures

  07/14/17     30                    (534,100     22,225   

E-Mini Natural Gas

  09/27/16     1                    (6,625     (592

E-Mini Natural Gas

  11/25/16     9                    (69,162     (2,905

EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures

  09/19/16     275                    (38,571,596     186,753   

EUR/AUD Futures

  09/19/16     20                    (2,805,891     12,185   

EUR/CAD Futures

  09/19/16     17                    (2,348,673     (24,735

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  09/19/16     40                    (10,260,256     15,734   

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  12/19/16     72                    (18,458,746     13,116   

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  03/13/17     98                    (25,125,210     16,166   

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

  06/19/17     93                    (23,843,068     15,098   

 

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

 

15


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                    UNREALZED  
    EXPIRATION   NUMBER OF     NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

  DATE             CONTRACTS                            COST                      (DEPRECIATION)      

EUR/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     21                  $ (2,874,704   $ (53,859

Fed Fund 30-Day Futures

  10/31/16     301                    (124,874,823     31,357   

Fed Fund 30-Day Futures

  01/31/17     168                    (69,637,925     27,856   

FTSE/JSE TOP 40

  09/15/16     7                    (217,041     (3,306

FTSE/MIB Index Futures

  09/16/16     16                    (1,476,213     (35,265

Gasoline RBOB Futures

  09/30/16     44                    (2,374,289     (89,834

GBP Currency Futures

  09/19/16     83                    (6,771,498     (39,690

GBP/AUD Futures

  09/19/16     8                    (1,317,010     3,034   

GBP/CAD Futures

  09/19/16     10                    (1,618,776     (22,791

GBP/CHF Futures

  09/19/16     11                    (1,774,287     (28,850

GBP/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     9                    (1,432,924     (42,792

GBP/NZD Futures

  09/19/16     10                    (1,652,613     9,991   

Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures

  12/14/16     228                    (5,184,325     652,825   

Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures

  03/14/17     45                    (1,049,762     118,263   

Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures

  05/12/17     17                    (384,362     23,325   

Lean Hogs Futures

  10/14/16     51                    (1,228,710     (53,430

Lean Hogs Futures

  12/14/16     31                    (695,810     (17,500

Lean Hogs Futures

  02/14/17     27                    (642,270     (20,040

Live Cattle Futures

  10/31/16     77                    (3,350,360     67,850   

Live Cattle Futures

  12/30/16     33                    (1,447,640     17,090   

Live Cattle Futures

  02/28/17     37                    (1,626,220     19,680   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

  09/21/16     275                    (32,283,700     608,856   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

  10/19/16     32                    (3,700,207     11,407   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

  11/16/16     9                    (1,055,681     17,250   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

  12/21/16     48                    (5,374,476     (169,224

Long Gilt Futures

  12/28/16     187                    (32,272,425     (25,856

Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures

  10/12/16     27                    (1,040,050     (93,275

Mill Wheat Euro

  12/12/16     115                    (1,053,862     24,442   

Mill Wheat Euro

  03/10/17     87                    (811,419     10,806   

MXN Futures

  09/19/16     54                    (1,439,075     8,885   

Natural Gas Futures

  12/28/16     6                    (193,070     (6,490

Natural Gas Futures

  01/27/17     3                    (95,920     (3,830

Natural Gas Futures

  02/24/17     4                    (126,020     (5,180

Nikkei 225 (Osaka Securities Exchange)

  09/08/16     123                    (19,502,856     (576,108

NZD/JPY Futures

  09/19/16     8                    (1,124,351     (34,611

Red Wheat Futures (Minneapolis Grain Exchange)

  12/14/16     24                    (609,000     31,200   

Red Wheat Futures (Minneapolis Grain Exchange)

  03/14/17     45                    (1,194,250     90,062   

Red Wheat Futures (Minneapolis Grain Exchange)

  05/12/17     17                    (441,850     16,638   

Soybean Futures

  01/13/17     5                    (244,425     7,925   

Soybean Futures

  03/14/17     5                    (243,462     6,400   

Soybean Futures

  05/12/17     2                    (95,988     862   

Soybean Meal Futures

  10/14/16     18                    (596,460     41,340   

Soybean Meal Futures

  01/13/17     16                    (507,830     19,030   

SPI 200 Futures

  09/15/16     8                    (783,155     (30,024

Topix Index Futures

  09/08/16     4                    (388,102     (126,275

Wheat (Chicago Board of Trade)

  12/14/16     452                    (10,044,562     1,270,112   

Wheat (Chicago Board of Trade)

  03/14/17     45                    (1,059,138     136,075   

Wheat (Chicago Board of Trade)

  05/12/17     28                    (638,150     44,200   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ (1,410,884,539   $ 4,674,824   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

      $ 1,845,196,060      $ 3,355,891   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                              UNREALIZED  
                              APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED     CURRENCY SOLD     EXPIRATION   COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
AUD     2,455,725        USD        1,844,488      09/01/16   BOA       $ 1,117   

 

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

 

16


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                                      UNREALIZED  
                                      APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED         CURRENCY SOLD    EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 

AUD

  667,283                    USD       501,396    09/02/16      BOA     $          101   

AUD

  14,565,000       USD       11,090,088    09/09/16      BOA     (145,709

AUD

  30,600,000       USD       23,334,826    09/12/16      BOA     (343,265

AUD

  20,928,680       USD       15,664,417    09/21/16      BOA     56,868   

AUD

  39,441,000       USD       29,716,009    09/23/16      BOA     (90,098

AUD

  1,155,000       USD       883,851    09/29/16      BOA     (16,413

BRL

  9,595,634       USD       2,822,146    09/21/16      BOA     132,624   

CAD

  840,471       USD       640,164    09/01/16      BOA     732   

CAD

  2,374,506       USD       1,825,000    09/09/16      BOA     (14,267

CAD

  55,074,125       USD       41,950,000    09/12/16      BOA     48,677   

CAD

  19,549,006       USD       15,131,466    09/21/16      BOA     (222,980

CAD

  17,856,000       USD       13,826,986    09/23/16      BOA     (209,477

CAD

  1,397,000       USD       1,081,280    09/29/16      BOA     (15,853

CHF

  1,288,549       USD       1,320,000    09/09/16      BOA     (9,314

CHF

  13,475,000       USD       13,928,543    09/23/16      BOA     (209,805

CLP

  235,559,343       USD       351,789    09/21/16      BOA     (6,287

CZK

  58,407,704       USD       2,427,877    09/21/16      BOA     (15,587

DKK

  1,150,415       USD       175,000    09/09/16      BOA     (2,517

EUR

  5,750,000       JPY       657,701,950    09/09/16      BOA     56,995   

EUR

  1,012,000       JPY       115,660,670    09/29/16      BOA     10,910   

EUR

  1,786,146       USD       1,990,660    09/01/16      BOA     1,695   

EUR

  390,397       USD       435,195    09/02/16      BOA     273   

EUR

  25,200,000       USD       28,377,737    09/09/16      BOA     (259,559

EUR

  6,250,000       USD       7,069,932    09/12/16      BOA     (95,235

EUR

  14,343,865       USD       16,130,679    09/21/16      BOA     (117,134

EUR

  25,978,000       USD       29,207,322    09/23/16      BOA     (202,774

EUR

  2,132,000       USD       2,405,574    09/29/16      BOA     (24,544

GBP

  3,925,000       JPY       524,267,990    09/09/16      BOA     86,250   

GBP

  338,437       USD       443,061    09/01/16      BOA     1,356   

GBP

  252,289       USD       331,061    09/02/16      BOA     231   

GBP

  11,310,000       USD       14,876,824    09/09/16      BOA     (22,457

GBP

  11,450,000       USD       15,008,151    09/12/16      BOA     31,255   

GBP

  7,451,346       USD       10,308,283    09/21/16      BOA     (518,774

GBP

  16,497,000       USD       23,614,460    09/23/16      BOA     (1,939,734

HUF

  1,235,813,818       USD       4,461,851    09/21/16      BOA     (9,847

INR

  508,648,513       USD       7,512,992    09/21/16      BOA     56,636   

JPY

  1,428,767,700       EUR       12,500,000    09/09/16      BOA     (133,756

JPY

  415,730,175       GBP       3,125,000    09/09/16      BOA     (84,920

JPY

  134,280,582       USD       1,304,835    09/01/16      BOA     (6,999

JPY

  88,871,571       USD       859,335    09/02/16      BOA     (382

JPY

  985,467,525       USD       9,725,000    09/09/16      BOA     (197,205

JPY

  1,736,790,737       USD       16,743,779    09/21/16      BOA     57,544   

JPY

  4,727,782,000       USD       45,290,405    09/23/16      BOA     449,411   

KRW

  4,798,966,160       USD       4,224,567    09/21/16      BOA     79,069   

MXN

  65,881,335       USD       3,550,487    09/21/16      BOA     (53,799

MXN

  25,950,000       USD       1,404,266    09/23/16      BOA     (27,221

MYR

  1,617,350       USD       402,272    09/21/16      BOA     (3,900

NOK

  3,919,557       USD       469,464    09/01/16      BOA     915   

NOK

  48,433,185       USD       5,700,000    09/12/16      BOA     112,515   

 

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

 

17


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

                                      UNREALIZED  
                                      APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED         CURRENCY SOLD    EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 

NOK

  70,828,197                USD                8,543,433    09/21/16      BOA     $      (43,106

NZD

  1,675,000       USD       1,216,971    09/09/16      BOA     (1,955

NZD

  45,500,000       USD       32,756,099    09/12/16      BOA     244,580   

NZD

  27,892,317       USD       19,479,001    09/21/16      BOA     743,220   

NZD

  15,462,000       USD       10,965,639    09/23/16      BOA     243,513   

NZD

  871,000       USD       636,975    09/29/16      BOA     (5,708

PLN

  27,332,558       USD       7,055,376    09/21/16      BOA     (64,888

SEK

  9,363,877       USD       1,095,408    09/01/16      BOA     (1,580

SEK

  2,537,415       USD       300,000    09/09/16      BOA     (3,489

SEK

  90,679,378       USD       10,750,000    09/12/16      BOA     (151,991

SEK

  95,023,303       USD       11,370,933    09/21/16      BOA     (260,115

SGD

  3,852,433       USD       2,853,343    09/21/16      BOA     (25,911

TRY

  17,327,510       USD       5,789,053    09/21/16      BOA     44,623   

TWD

  12,615,972       USD       392,237    09/21/16      BOA     5,548   

USD

  1,853,456       AUD       2,455,725    09/01/16      BOA     7,851   

USD

  501,083       AUD       667,283    09/02/16      BOA     (415

USD

  14,592,717       AUD       19,340,000    09/09/16      BOA     60,326   

USD

  3,284,378       AUD       4,300,000    09/12/16      BOA     53,537   

USD

  9,828,066       AUD       13,139,920    09/21/16      BOA     (42,429

USD

  19,315,812       AUD       25,883,000    09/23/16      BOA     (126,075

USD

  1,651,527       AUD       2,178,000    09/29/16      BOA     15,787   

USD

  2,376,457       BRL       8,087,894    09/21/16      BOA     (114,036

USD

  640,705       CAD       840,471    09/01/16      BOA     (191

USD

  2,125,000       CAD       2,762,401    09/09/16      BOA     18,469   

USD

  16,227,877       CAD       21,141,655    09/21/16      BOA     104,803   

USD

  7,976,409       CAD       10,262,000    09/23/16      BOA     150,306   

USD

  2,454,896       CAD       3,198,000    09/29/16      BOA     15,929   

USD

  3,295,000       CHF       3,198,831    09/09/16      BOA     41,215   

USD

  28,586,736       CHF       27,639,000    09/23/16      BOA     447,798   

USD

  3,541,896       CHF       3,427,000    09/29/16      BOA     51,573   

USD

  64,691       CLP       45,220,584    09/21/16      BOA     (1,636

USD

  3,271,996       CZK       79,725,951    09/21/16      BOA     (20,758

USD

  75,000       DKK       498,998    09/09/16      BOA     185   

USD

  1,994,101       EUR       1,786,146    09/01/16      BOA     1,746   

USD

  434,945       EUR       390,397    09/02/16      BOA     (523

USD

  37,070,690       EUR       32,940,000    09/09/16      BOA     316,214   

USD

  59,888,679       EUR       53,900,000    09/12/16      BOA     (261,106

USD

  19,159,681       EUR       17,183,924    09/21/16      BOA     (24,516

USD

  36,287,321       EUR       32,523,000    09/23/16      BOA     (24,747

USD

  5,896,405       EUR       5,256,000    09/29/16      BOA     26,474   

USD

  442,306       GBP       338,437    09/01/16      BOA     (2,111

USD

  330,541       GBP       252,289    09/02/16      BOA     (752

USD

  21,263,988       GBP       16,170,000    09/09/16      BOA     26,577   

USD

  261,062       GBP       200,000    09/12/16      BOA     (1,635

USD

  12,816,476       GBP       9,427,139    09/21/16      BOA     431,188   

USD

  42,450,704       GBP       30,594,000    09/23/16      BOA     2,254,513   

USD

  3,535,059       HUF       998,238,933    09/21/16      BOA     (61,084

USD

  9,643,479       INR       655,810,486    09/21/16      BOA     (116,190

USD

  1,311,844       JPY       134,280,582    09/01/16      BOA     14,008   

 

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

 

18


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

                                      UNREALIZED  
                                      APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED         CURRENCY SOLD    EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 

USD

  860,603       JPY       88,871,570    09/02/16      BOA     $         1,650   

USD

  8,000,000       JPY       812,075,105    09/09/16      BOA     148,615   

USD

  47,950,000       JPY       4,877,879,469    09/12/16      BOA     782,525   

USD

  11,739,300       JPY       1,205,993,781    09/21/16      BOA     72,787   

USD

  26,789,246       JPY       2,763,192,000    09/23/16      BOA     56,226   

USD

  3,491,071       JPY       352,145,000    09/29/16      BOA     83,213   

USD

  2,436,128       KRW       2,790,443,563    09/21/16      BOA     (66,297

USD

  4,681,175                    MXN       88,068,514    09/21/16      BOA     6,890   

USD

  8,509,316       MXN       157,618,000    09/23/16      BOA     145,266   

USD

  306,661       MYR       1,247,935    09/21/16      BOA     (720

USD

  471,926       NOK       3,919,557    09/01/16      BOA     1,546   

USD

  18,600,000       NOK       154,059,776    09/12/16      BOA     111,133   

USD

  7,769,372       NOK       65,511,256    09/21/16      BOA     (92,851

USD

  507,402       NZD       700,000    09/09/16      BOA     (366

USD

  6,998,152       NZD       9,864,670    09/21/16      BOA     (153,837

USD

  1,435,269       NZD       2,000,000    09/23/16      BOA     (14,628

USD

  6,172,251       PLN       24,252,652    09/21/16      BOA     (30,529

USD

  1,100,977       SEK       9,363,877    09/01/16      BOA     7,150   

USD

  775,000       SEK       6,487,944    09/09/16      BOA     16,848   

USD

  39,700,000       SEK       339,927,042    09/12/16      BOA     (28,436

USD

  23,027,241       SEK       193,399,905    09/21/16      BOA     413,514   

USD

  9,035,000       SGD       12,274,843    09/13/16      BOA     25,877   

USD

  1,763,455       SGD       2,395,402    09/21/16      BOA     5,387   

USD

  2,565,339       SGD       3,484,000    09/29/16      BOA     8,367   

USD

  5,685,669       TRY       17,162,160    09/21/16      BOA     (92,339

USD

  209,939       TWD       6,729,145    09/21/16      BOA     (2,233

USD

  4,457,458       ZAR       67,214,614    09/21/16      BOA     (96,803

ZAR

  71,647,364       USD       4,903,245    09/21/16      BOA            (48,634

Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

    $  1,407,719   

 

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

 

19


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

     NUMBER        
     OF        
     CONTRACTS           VALUE        

PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.3%

  

 

CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED—0.0%

  

 

USD CNH Currency Futures
Expires 01/13/17
Strike Price 6.77

     30,239,000      $ 375,009   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED

(Cost $ 569,642)

  

  

    375,009   
    

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED—0.3%

  

 

CAD MXN Currency Futures
Expires 09/07/16
Strike Price 14.20

     37,447,000        68,340   

Gold 100-oz Futures
Expires 09/27/16
Strike Price 300

     154        257,180   

Gold 100-oz Futures
Expires 09/27/16
Strike Price 275

     77        59,290   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 06/19/17
Strike Price 98.75

     4,565        855,938   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 10/14/16
Strike Price 99

     1,506        112,950   

JPY Foreign Exchange Currency
Futures
Expires 09/09/16
Strike Price 98

     301        575,662   

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Bond Futures
Expires 09/23/16
Strike Price 130

     301        94,062   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED

(Cost $ 2,218,461)

  

  

    2,023,422   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.3%

(Cost $ 2,788,103)

  

  

  $     2,398,431   
    

 

 

 
     NUMBER         
     OF         
     CONTRACTS            VALUE        

WRITTEN OPTIONS — 0.0%

     

CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN—0.0%

  

  

USD CNH Currency Futures
Expires 01/13/17
Strike Price 7.10

     30,239,000       $ (96,417
     

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums Received $ 208,649)

   

     (96,417
     

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN—0.0%

  

  

CAD MXN Currency Futures
Expires 09/07/16
Strike Price 14.20

     19,576,000         (35,726

JPY Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/09/16
Strike Price 95

     151         (32,088

JPY Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/09/16
Strike Price 96

     150         (76,875

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Bond Futures
Expires 09/23/16
Strike Price 128

     301         (14,109
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums Received $ 295,485)

   

     (158,798
     

 

 

 

TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS — 0.0%
(Premiums Received $ 504,134)

   

   $ (255,215
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

20


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

AUD

   Australian Dollar

BOA

   Bank of America

BRL

   Brazilian Real

CAD

   Canadian Dollar

CBOT

   Chicago Board of Trade

CHF

   Swiss Franc

CLP

   Chilean Peso

CNH

   Chinese Renminbi

CZK

   Czech Koruna

DAX

   Deutscher Aktienindex

DJIA

   Dow Jones Industrial Average

DKK

   Danish Krone

EUR

   Euro

FTSE

   Financial Times Stock Exchange

GBP

   British Pound

HUF

   Hungarian Forint

IBEX

   Index of the Bolsa de Madrid

IMM

   International Monetary Market

INR

   Indian Rupee

JPY

   Japanese Yen

KRW

   Korean Won

MXN

   Mexican Peso

MYR

   Malaysian Ringgit

NOK

   Norwegian Krone

NZD

   New Zealand Dollar

PLN

   Polish Zloty

RBOB

   Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending

SEK

   Swedish Krona

SGD

   Singapore Dollar

SGX

   Singapore Exchange

TRY

   Turkish Lira

TSX

   Toronto Stock Exchange

TWD

   Taiwan Dollar

USD

   United States Dollar

WTI

   West Texas Intermediate

ZAR

   South African Rand

 

 

 

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

 

21


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $651,475,091)

   $ 651,075,335   

Cash

     40,820,724   

Deposits with broker for forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts

     64,564,103   

Foreign currency deposits with broker for forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts

     6,018,501   

Receivables for:

  

Capital shares sold

     3,002,570   

Variation margin

     3,355,891   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     113,076   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     8,392,151   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     777,342,351   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Options written, at value (premiums received $504,134)

     255,215   

Payables for:

  

Capital shares redeemed

     3,342,522   

Advisory fees

     1,210,724   

Administration and accounting services fees

     65,391   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     6,984,432   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     137,636   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     11,995,920   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 765,346,431   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 64,892   

Paid-in capital

     771,246,483   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (10,607,646

Accumulated net realized loss from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

     (1,299

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translations, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

     4,644,001   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 765,346,431   
  

 

 

 

CLASS A SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 17,125,125   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     1,455,427   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share

   $ 11.77   
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $11.77)

   $ 12.49   
  

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 739,841,753   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     62,721,499   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.80   
  

 

 

 

CLASS C SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 8,379,553   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     715,420   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.71   
  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

22


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,271,346   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,271,346   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     9,810,104   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     394,600   

Interest expense

     120,593   

Registration and filing fees

     129,905   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     108,725   

Legal fees

     64,674   

Audit and tax service fees

     62,830   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     50,256   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     41,927   

Distribution fees (Class A Shares) (Note 2)

     41,281   

Distribution fees (Class C Shares) (Note 2)

     38,531   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     37,420   

Insurance fees

     7,717   

Other expenses

     451   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     10,909,014   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (801,204
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     10,107,810   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (8,836,464
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Investments

     (13,254,190

Futures contracts

     (10,528,500

Foreign currency transactions

     (77,061

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (2,260,611

Written options

     4,878,351   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     705,101   

Futures contracts

     4,131,764   

Foreign currency translation

     34,693   

Forward foreign currency contracts

     1,208,976   

Written options

     45,777   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (15,115,700
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (23,952,164
  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

23


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    FOR THE            FOR THE         
    YEAR ENDED         YEAR ENDED      
   

AUGUST 31, 2016

   

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment loss

             $ (8,836,464              $ (2,036,556

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

      (21,242,011       5,019,708   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translation, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

      6,126,311          (2,287,685
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (23,952,164       695,467   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income

       

Class A Shares

      (7,540       (20,951

Class I Shares

      (651,985       (748,827

Class C Shares

      (994         
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from net investment income

      (660,519       (769,778
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized gains

       

Class A Shares

               (1,218

Class I Shares

               (41,776

Class C Shares

                 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from net realized gains

               (42,994
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

      (660,519       (812,772
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

       

Class A Shares

       

Proceeds from shares sold

      22,317,981          11,657,560   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

      6,739          15,771   

Shares redeemed

      (15,568,395       (1,511,325
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class A Shares

      6,756,325          10,162,006   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class I Shares

       

Proceeds from shares sold

      695,901,231          217,209,911   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

      584,466          416,475   

Shares redeemed

      (153,432,995       (20,564,998
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class I Shares

      543,052,702          197,061,388   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares

       

Proceeds from shares sold

      8,790,255            

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

      994            

Shares redeemed

      (95,781         
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class C Shares

      8,695,468            
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

      558,504,495          207,223,394   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      533,891,812          207,106,089   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of year

      231,454,619          24,348,530   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 765,346,431        $ 231,454,619   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

    $ (10,607,646     $ (2,842,736
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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

 

24


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(CONCLUDED)

 

    

FOR THE       

YEAR ENDED    

AUGUST 31, 2016

   

FOR THE       

YEAR ENDED     

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Class A Shares

                 

Shares sold

                1,830,248          942,331   

Shares reinvested

       557          1,381   

Shares redeemed

       (1,292,588       (123,027
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class A Shares

       538,217          820,685   
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class I Shares

        

Shares sold

       57,077,758          17,778,992   

Shares reinvested

       48,303          36,469   

Shares redeemed

       (12,727,922       (1,745,441
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class I Shares

       44,398,139          16,070,020   
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares

        

Shares sold

       723,323            

Shares reinvested

       82            

Shares redeemed

       (7,985         
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class C Shares

       715,420            
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

       45,651,776          16,890,705   
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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

 

25


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class A Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective years. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

     CLASS A SHARES  
     FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2016
    FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015(1)
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

                    $ 12.01                       $ 10.36   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

        (0.24        (0.27

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

        0.01           2.14   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

        (0.23        1.87   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

        (0.01        (0.21

Net realized gains

                  (0.01
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (0.01        (0.22
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

      $ 11.77         $ 12.01   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

        (1.94 )%         18.17
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

      $ 17,125         $ 11,013   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.26        2.28

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

        2.24        2.24

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.42        2.71

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

        (2.01 )%         (2.23 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

        0.00        0.00

 

(1)

Inception date of Class A Shares of the Fund was August 29, 2014.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the year.

(3)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect any applicable sales charge.

 

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

 

26


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class I Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

     CLASS I SHARES  
     FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2016
    FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
    FOR THE
PERIOD
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2014(1)
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

                    $ 12.03                       $ 10.36                       $ 10.00   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

        (0.21        (0.24        (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

        0.01           2.14           0.39   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

        (0.20        1.90           0.36   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

               

Net investment income

        (0.03        (0.22          

Net realized gains

                  (0.01          
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (0.03        (0.23          
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $ 11.80         $ 12.03         $ 10.36   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

        (1.68 )%         18.46        3.60 %(4) 
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

               

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

      $ 739,842         $ 220,441         $ 24,349   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.01        2.03        2.01 %(5) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

        1.99        1.99        1.99 %(5) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.17        2.46        4.71 %(5) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

        (1.76 )%         (1.98 )%         (1.99 )%(5) 

Portfolio turnover rate

        0.00        0.00        0.00 %(4) 

 

(1)

Inception date of Class I Shares of the Fund was July 1, 2014.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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

 

27


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONCLUDED)

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

                 
     CLASS C SHARES  
     FOR THE
PERIOD

ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2016(1)
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

     

Net asset value, beginning of period

        $11.99   

Net investment loss(2)

        (0.30

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

            0.03   

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

           (0.27 ) 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

        (0.01

Net realized gains

               —   

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

           (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

        $11.71   

Total investment return(3)

           (2.22 )%(4) 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

        $8,380   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        3.01 %(5) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

        2.99 %(5) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        3.17 %(5) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

        (2.76 )%(5) 

Portfolio turnover rate

        0.00 %(6) 

 

(1)

Inception date of Class C Shares of the Fund was October 6, 2015.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire year.

 

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

 

28


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on July 1, 2014. The Fund is authorized to offer three classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares. Class A Shares are sold subject to a front-end maximum sales charge of 5.75%. Front-end sales charges may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. Class C Shares commenced investment operations on October 6, 2015.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by allocating its assets between a “Managed Futures” strategy and a “Fixed Income” strategy.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARY — The Managed Futures strategy will be achieved by the Fund investing up to 25% of its total assets in Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited, a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the Subsidiary. The Fund consolidates the results of subsidiaries in which the Fund holds a controlling economic interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of August 31, 2016, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $163,668,744, which represented 21.38% of the Fund’s net assets.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Forward exchange contracts are valued by interpolating between spot and forward currency rates as quoted by an independent pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued using the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. Options for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded, or, in the absence of any sale, will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Options not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last quoted bid price for long option positions and the closing ask price for short option positions. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

29


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

 

 

• 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.); and

 

• 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, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE
    

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

   

PRICE

 

   

INPUTS

 

   

INPUTS

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   $       648,676,904      $       648,676,904      $      $— 

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

     6,158,057        6,158,057            

Purchased Options

     316,470        316,470            

Equity Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

     4,127,263        4,127,263            

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     8,392,151               8,392,151     

Futures Contracts

     386,095        386,095            

Purchased Options

     1,019,011        1,019,011            

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

     5,146,974        5,146,974            

Purchased Options

     1,062,950        1,062,950            

 

Total Assets

   $ 675,285,875      $ 666,893,724      $         8,392,151      $— 

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE
    

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

   

PRICE

 

   

INPUTS

 

   

INPUTS

 

 

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

   $ (6,852,367   $ (6,852,367   $      $— 

Equity Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

     (961,291     (961,291         

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     (6,984,432            (6,984,432  

Futures Contracts

     (2,086,442     (2,086,442         

Written Options

     (241,106     (241,106         

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures Contracts

     (2,562,398     (2,562,398         

Written Options

     (14,109     (14,109         

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (19,702,145   $     (12,717,713   $       (6,984,432   $— 

 

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

 

30


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES — Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of another security or financial instrument. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include options, forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund used long and short contracts on U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, foreign currencies, interest rates, and commodities (through investment in the Subsidiary), to gain investment exposure in accordance with its investment objective.

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on the Fund’s derivative instruments as of and for the year ended August 31, 2016.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2016 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                   
    STATEMENT                                   
    OF ASSETS AND           INTEREST      FOREIGN                
    LIABILITIES    EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY      COMMODITY         

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

  

 

 

Purchased Options

 

Investments, at

value

   $       $ 1,062,950       $ 1,019,011       $ 316,470       $ 2,398,431   

 

 

Forward Contracts

 

Unrealized

appreciation on

forward foreign

currency contracts

                     8,392,151                 8,392,151   

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Receivable:

Variation Margin

     4,127,263         5,146,974         386,095         6,158,057         15,818,389   

 

 

Total Value - Assets

     $         4,127,263       $         6,209,924       $         9,797,257       $         6,474,527       $         26,608,971   

 

 

 

31


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

 

    CONSOLIDATED                               
    STATEMENT                               
    OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN              
    LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

  

 

 

Written Options

 

Options written, at

value

   $      $ (14,109   $ (241,106   $      $ (255,215

 

 

Forward Contracts            

 

Unrealized

depreciation on

forward foreign

currency contracts

                   (6,984,432            (6,984,432

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Receivable:

Variation Margin

     (961,291     (2,562,398     (2,086,442     (6,852,367     (12,462,498

 

 

Total Value - Liabilities

     $         (961,291   $         (2,576,507   $         (9,311,980   $         (6,852,367   $         (19,702,145

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or (losses) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

     CONSOLIDATED                                 
     STATEMENT            INTEREST     FOREIGN              
     OF OPERATIONS      EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Realized Gain (Loss)

  

 

 

Purchased Options            

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from

Investments

     $ (544,874   $ (3,627,795   $ (5,686,880   $ (3,393,637   $ (13,253,186

 

 

Futures Contracts

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from Futures

Contracts

       (8,983,092     10,309,917        (8,048,017     (3,807,308     (10,528,500

 

 

Forward Contracts

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

                     (2,260,611            (2,260,611

 

 

Written Options

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from Written

Options

       271,159        1,208,320        2,374,238        1,024,634        4,878,351   

 

 
Total Realized Gain (Loss)      $         (9,256,807   $         7,890,442      $         (13,621,270   $         (6,176,311   $         (21,163,946

 

 

 

32


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

                                        
     CONSOLIDATED                                  
     STATEMENT             INTEREST     FOREIGN              
     OF OPERATIONS      EQUITY      RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   

 

 

Purchased Options

  

Net change in

unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Investments

     $       $ (160,100   $ 631,081      $ 242,624      $ 713,605   

 

 

Futures Contracts

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Futures Contracts        4,384,130         3,501,241        (2,051,179     (1,702,428     4,131,764   

 

 

Forward Contracts

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Forward Foreign Currency Contracts                       1,208,976               1,208,976   

 

 

Written Options

  

Net change in

unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Written Options

               (10,894     89,297        (32,626     45,777   

 

 

Total change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)

     $           4,384,130       $           3,330,247      $               (121,825   $           (1,492,430   $           6,100,122   

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund’s average volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

PURCHASED
OPTIONS
(COST)
  WRITTEN
OPTIONS
(PROCEEDS)
  LONG FUTURES
NOTIONAL
COST
  SHORT FUTURES
NOTIONAL

COST
  FORWARD  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — PAYABLE
(VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
  FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — RECEIVABLE
(VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
$2,711,654   $(994,834)   $1,899,450,971   $(1,169,378,572)   $(739,818,798)   $740,320,758

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (receivables) or the obligation to return cash collateral (payables) arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

The following is a summary of financial and derivative instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements (or similar arrangements) and collateral received and pledged in connection with the master netting agreements (or similar arrangements).

 

33


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

       

 

 

 

 

Gross Amount Not

Offset in Consolidated

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

 

  

  

  

  

 

         
 
 
 

 

Gross Amount Not
Offset in Consolidated
Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

 

  
  
  
  

 

  

Description

 

    
 
 
 
 
 

 

Gross Amount
Presented in the
Consolidated
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities

 

  
  
  
  
  
  

 

    
 

 

Financial
Instruments

 

  
  

 

   
 

 

Collateral
Received

 

  
  

 

    
 

 

Net
Amount(1)

 

  
  

 

   
 
 
 
 
 

 

Gross Amount
Presented in the
Consolidated
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities

 

  
  
  
  
  
  

 

    
 

 

Financial
Instruments

 

  
  

 

   
 

 

Collateral
Pledged

 

  
  

 

    
 

 

Net
Amount(2)

 

  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Assets     Liabilities  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     $8,392,151         ($6,984,432     $—         $1,407,719        $6,984,432         ($6,984,432     $—         $—   

 

 

  (1)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

  (2)

Net amount represents the net amount payable from the counterparty in the event of default.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman Islands investment company. The Subsidiary has received an undertaking from the Government of the Cayman Islands exempting it from all local income, profits and capital gains taxes. No such taxes are levied in the Cayman Islands at the present time. For U.S. income tax purposes, the Subsidiary is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and as such is not subject to U.S. income tax.

 

34


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments in the consolidated Statement of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the consolidated Statement of Operations.

CURRENCY RISK — Investment in foreign securities involves currency risk associated with securities that trade or are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to a foreign currency may cause the U.S. dollar value of an investment in that country to decline. Foreign currencies also are subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains from a favorable change in value between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency pricing may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in these contracts.

COMMODITY SECTOR RISK — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s Share value to fluctuate.

FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKET RISK — A substantial portion of the trades of the Fund are expected to take place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. There is no limit to the amount of assets of the Fund that may be committed to trading on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures and options on futures contracts can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures and options on futures contracts involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade or exchange. Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

COUNTERPARTY RISK — The derivative contracts entered into by the Fund or its Subsidiary may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.

 

35


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

CREDIT RISK — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument will not be able to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

OPTIONS — An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Fund may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options are accounted for in the same manner as other securities owned. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

OPTIONS WRITTEN — The Fund may enter into options written for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on exchanges regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or on other non-U.S. exchanges. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the option exercise period. The writer of the option is required upon exercise to assume a short futures position (if the option is a call) or a long futures position (if the option is a put). Upon exercise of the option, the accumulated cash balance in the writer’s futures margin account is delivered to the holder of the option. That balance represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing put options is limited to the exercised fair value of the option contract. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing call options is potentially unlimited. The Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction at an acceptable price if a liquid secondary market does not exist. The Fund also may write over-the-counter options where completing the obligation depends upon the credit standing of the other party. Option contracts also involve the risk that they may result in loss due to unanticipated developments in market conditions or other causes. Written options are initially recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums received and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Gains or losses are realized when the option transaction expires or closes. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call option or the purchase cost for a written put option is adjusted by the amount of the premium received. Listed option contracts present minimal counterparty credit risk since they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded options, guarantees the options against default. As of August 31, 2016, all of the Fund’s written options are exchange-traded options.

 

36


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The Fund had transactions in options written during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 as follows:.

 

     NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    PREMIUMS
RECEIVED
 

Options outstanding at
August 31, 2015

     95,153,327      $ 1,131,083   

Options written

     272,622,944        7,542,426   

Options closed

     (27,866,976     (5,587,014

Options expired

     (290,093,693     (2,582,361
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at
August 31, 2016

     49,815,602      $ 504,134   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund may use futures contracts for hedging or speculative purposes consistent with its investment objective. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. Pursuant to the futures contract, the Fund agrees to receive from, or pay to the broker, an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such a receipt of payment is known as “variation margin” and is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Futures contracts have market risks, including the risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amount shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contract. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS — In the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, the Fund is subject to foreign investment and currency risk. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts (“forward contracts”) for purposes of hedging, duration management, as a substitute for securities, to increase returns, for currency hedging or risk management, or to otherwise help achieve the Fund’s investment goal. These contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable translation rates. The Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is closed. A forward contract is extinguished through a closing transaction or upon delivery of the currency or entering an offsetting contract. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other currencies. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to Forward Foreign Currency Contracts is the fair value of the contract. The risk may be mitigated to some extent if a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty is in place and to the extent the Fund obtains collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

37


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Abbey Capital Limited (“Abbey Capital” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Trading Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Trading Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement, subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at the annual rate of 1.97% of its average annual net assets, payable on a monthly basis in arrears. The Adviser compensates the Trading Advisers out of the advisory fee that it receives from the Fund.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 2.24%, 1.99% and 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to exceed 2.24%, 1.99% or 2.99%, as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 2.24%, 1.99% or 2.99%, as applicable, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. For the year ended August 31, 2016, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $9,810,104 and $801,204, respectively. At August 31 2016, the amount of potential recovery by the Adviser was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION
AUGUST 31,
2017
  AUGUST 31,
2018
  AUGUST 31,
2019
  TOTAL
$94,261    $434,343    $801,204    $1,329,808 

Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited, Cantab Capital Partners LLP, Eclipse Capital Management, Inc., Graham Capital Management, LP, Harmonic Capital Partners LLP, P/E Global, LLC, Revolution Capital Management, LLC, Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC and Conquest Capital, LLC each serves as a Trading Adviser to the Fund.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the consolidated Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

The Board of Directors has adopted a Plan of Distribution for the Class A Shares and the Class C Shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund’s Distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an

 

38


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares and up to 1.00% of the Class C Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Company’s Board of Directors and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan.

3. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $24,740. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $18,472 in officer fees.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

     PURCHASES      SALES  

Investments in Non-U.S. Government Securities

     $—             $—   

Investments in U.S. Government Securities

     —               

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

    FEDERAL TAX    

COST

 

UNREALIZED

  APPRECIATION  

 

UNREALIZED

   DEPRECIATION   

 

NET

UNREALIZED

   DEPRECIATION   

$785,890,005   $48,300,000   $(67,200,812)   $(18,900,812)

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

 

39


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONCLUDED)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to disallowed income from the Subsidiary, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME

 

ACCUMULATED

NET REALIZED  

GAIN

 

PAID-IN

           CAPITAL          

$1,732,073   $21,240,712   $(22,972,785)

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

ORDINARY INCOME

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

LONG-TERM GAINS

 

UNREALIZED

  APPRECIATION  

 

QUALIFIED

LATE-YEAR

LOSSES

 

OTHER TEMPORARY

DIFFERENCES

$—   $—   $1,140,764   $(7,105,707)   $—

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains of the Subsidiary for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

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

 

   

Ordinary

Income

 

Long-Term

Gains

 

    Total    

2016   $660,519   $—   $660,519
2015   $812,772   $—   $812,772

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

    Post-October   Post-October
Late-Year   Short-Term   Long-Term
Ordinary   Capital   Capital
Loss Deferral   Loss Deferral   Loss Deferral
$7,104,408   $1,299   $—

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2016 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had no capital loss carryforwards.

6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund though the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective November 19, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator, fund accounting agent, transfer agent and dividend paying agent (“Transfer Agent”) to the Fund. U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace the Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

40


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of

Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated portfolio of investments, of the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2016, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its consolidated financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2016

 

41


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $660,519 of ordinary income dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

42


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6484 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

APPROVAL OF ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND TRADING ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered (1) the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Abbey Capital and the Company on behalf of the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), (2) the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Abbey Capital and Abbey Capital Offshore Limited (“ACOL”) (together with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”), (3) the renewal of the trading advisory agreements among Abbey Capital and ACOL and each of the Trading Advisers (the “Trading Advisory Agreements”) and (4) the approval of a new Trading Advisory Agreement with Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited (“Altis”), at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements for an additional one year term and approved the new Trading Advisory Agreement with Altis for an initial period ending August 16, 2017. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the arrangements. In approving the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements, the Board considered information provided by Abbey Capital and each of the Trading Advisers with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Abbey Capital with respect to the Fund, the Advisory Agreement between ACOL and Abbey Capital, and the Trading Advisory Agreements between Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser with respect to the Fund and the approval of the new Trading Advisory Agreement with Altis, the Directors took into account all materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing those services; (iii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients, as applicable; (vii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ compliance procedures; (viii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ financial information and insurance coverage; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser. The Directors concluded that Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and ACOL, as applicable.

 

43


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund, noting that the Fund had underperformed its benchmark for the year-to-date and one-year periods but had outperformed since inception for the periods ended March 31, 2016. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors also considered the Fund’s quintile ranking within its Lipper performance universe for the period ended December 31, 2015.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. In addition, the Directors noted that Abbey Capital had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Class I Shares, 2.24% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A Shares and 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class C Shares. The Directors also considered the fees payable to each Trading Adviser under the Trading Advisory Agreements and the information provided by Abbey Capital on the services provided by the different Trading Advisers. In this regard, the Directors noted that the fees for each Trading Adviser were payable by Abbey Capital.

In considering the Trading Advisory Agreement between Abbey Capital, ACOL and Altis with respect to the Fund, the Board considered the fact that the restructuring within Altis is not expected to affect the manner in which the Fund or ACOL are managed and the fact that the fee structure under the new Trading Advisory Agreement would be identical to the fee structure in its existing Trading Advisory Agreement with Altis. It was noted that the new Trading Advisory Agreement would not go into effect until the restructuring was completed.

After reviewing the information regarding Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to Abbey Capital and the trading advisory fees to be paid by Abbey Capital to each Trading Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreements and Trading Advisory Agreements should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2017 and the new Trading Advisory Agreement with Altis should be approved for an initial period ending August 16, 2017.

 

44


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6484.

 

Name, Address,

and Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
in the Past 5 Years

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present     From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

  Chairman     Director   2005 to present
1991 to present
  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company)

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

45


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
in the Past 5 Years

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

 

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present     Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None

 

46


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
  in the Past 5 Years  

 

 

OFFICERS

 

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA,

CFE Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

  President Chief Compliance Officer   2009 to present  
2004 to present
  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company)   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

  Treasurer and Secretary   2016 to present   From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company)   N/A   N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).   N/A   N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

  Assistant Secretary   2016 to present   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present).   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1  Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2  Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

47


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

FACTS    

 

WHAT DOES THE ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND DO WITH YOUR

PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

 

Why?

 

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
    ● Social Security number
    ● account balances
    ● account transactions
    ● transaction history
    ● wire transfer instructions
    ● checking account information
    When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

 

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information      

 

Does the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund Share?

 

 

 

Can you limit this

sharing?

 

 

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

     

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

     

Yes

 

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

      Yes   Yes

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

     

No

 

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 1-844-261-6484 or go to www.abbeycapital.com

 

   

    

   

 

48


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

What we do

 

    

 

How does the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund protect my personal information?

 

  

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

 

How does the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund collect my personal information?

  

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

● open an account

● provide account information

● give us your contact information

● make a wire transfer

● tell us where to send the money

    

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

● sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

● affiliates from using your information to market to you

● sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions

 

    

 

Affiliates

  

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Our affiliates include Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund’s investment adviser, Abbey Capital Limited, and each sub-adviser.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

  

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

 

 

Joint marketing

  

 

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund does not jointly market.

 

 

49


 

Investment Adviser

Abbey Capital Limited

1-2 Cavendish Row

Dublin 1, Ireland

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

 

ABB-AR16


 

 

LOGO

ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund.

It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.



ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

The Altair Smaller Companies Fund (the “Fund”) generated a return of 5.76% in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index, which had a return of 8.59% over the same period. This was the Fund’s first full fiscal year of operation. Dating to its inception on October 21, 2014, the Fund returned 6.28% through the end of the fiscal period versus 7.50% for the Russell 2000 Index.

A primary contributor to underperformance was the Fund’s large exposure to microcap stocks, given that the Russell Microcap Index was up only 3.79% during the fiscal year. Three of the Fund’s six underlying managers are dedicated to microcaps. The Fund’s strongest period of performance during the fiscal year, from May 2016 through August 2016, coincided with the market’s resurgence. The Russell Microcap Index rose 8.83% during that four-month period and the Fund returned 10.56%, exceeding the Russell 2000’s return of 10.20%.

The year also was particularly volatile for smaller capitalization stocks. Small caps fell more sharply during the market-wide selloff in January and early February, ultimately underperforming large caps for the fiscal year, on concerns they would be hurt disproportionately by higher interest rates, lower energy prices and a global slowdown. Sector-wise, the Fund’s underweight to utilities and REITs was a drag on performance while its underweight to financial services was beneficial. Additionally, an overweight to biotech stocks hurt performance, especially in early 2016.

While the Fund has generated positive returns since inception, it had a net realized loss as of August 31, 2016. The majority of the realized losses came from the dedicated tax loss harvesting manager, which was able to harvest losses while maintaining a less than 1% tracking error versus its benchmark.

We continue to believe our active managers will generate alpha over a long period of time even as the ebb and flow of investment styles sometimes produces years of underperformance. The Fund continues to have six underlying sub-advisers with three dedicated microcap managers (Driehaus, Granite and Pacific Ridge) and three dedicated small cap managers (Aperio, Pier and River Road). The Fund is currently underweight the microcap managers and overweight the small cap managers.

The Fund continues to believe the microcap space remains highly inefficient with little analyst coverage and institutional ownership. We believe active managers have the opportunity to outperform in the long run.

Sincerely,

Altair Advisers LLC

 

1


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Annual Report

Performance Data

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Altair Smaller Companies Fund

vs. Russell 2000® Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 21, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended August 31, 2016  
      One Year      Since
Inception*
 

Altair Smaller Companies Fund

     5.76%         6.28%   

Russell 2000® Index**

     8.59%         7.50%   

 

*

The Fund commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (844) 261-6482.

The Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 1.15% of average daily net assets. This ratio may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report.

The Fund invests in common stock, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Russell 2000® Index. The Russell 2000® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000® Index and is considered representative of small-cap stocks. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

Investment Considerations

Investing in the Fund involves risk and an investor may lose money. The success of the Fund’s strategy depends on the Adviser’s ability to select Sub-Advisers and each manager’s ability to select investments for the Fund. The Fund may invest in riskier type investments including small and micro-cap stocks, IPOs, special situations and illiquid securities all of which may be more volatile and less liquid.

 

2


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Examples for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying table 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 your Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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
March 1, 2016
   Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
   Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00    $1,195.30    $6.29

Hypothetical

(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00      1,019.41      5.79

 

 

 

*

Expenses equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.14% for the Fund, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month total investment return for the Fund of 19.53%.

 

3


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

    

 

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund.

 

Security Type/Sector        % of Net             

Classification

   Assets            Value        

COMMON STOCKS:

     

Software

     7.0%        $ 15,730,974   

Commercial Services

     6.6             14,774,964   

Banks

     6.4             14,485,475   

Retail

     5.4             12,068,010   

Healthcare-Products

     5.3             11,928,196   

Computers

     5.2             11,603,962   

Semiconductors

     5.0             11,230,956   

Internet

     3.8             8,569,630   

Telecommunications

     3.4             7,735,445   

Diversified Financial Services

     2.8             6,347,964   

Biotechnology

     2.4             5,522,772   

Electronics

     2.3             5,151,512   

Insurance

     2.2             5,003,468   

Pharmaceuticals

     2.2             4,909,878   

Transportation

     2.1             4,762,726   

Oil & Gas

     2.0             4,499,582   

Healthcare-Services

     1.8             4,113,233   

REITS

     1.6             3,718,931   

Machinery-Diversified

     1.5             3,492,004   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

     1.5             3,309,532   

Engineering & Construction

     1.5             3,303,917   

Chemicals

     1.4             3,180,267   

Aerospace/Defense

     1.4             3,130,837   

Building Materials

     1.4             3,052,183   

Food

     1.3             3,007,534   

Auto Parts & Equipment

     1.3             2,964,534   

Home Builders

     1.3             2,909,577   

Lodging

     1.1             2,407,794   

Beverages

     1.0             2,325,127   

Electrical Components & Equipment

     1.0             2,253,902   

Mining

     1.0             2,242,137   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

     1.0             2,169,375   

Oil & Gas Services

     0.9             1,984,261   
Security Type/Sector            % of Net        

Classification

       Assets         Value      

Textiles

         0.8     $ 1,742,426   

Savings & Loans

         0.8          1,719,685   

Investment Companies

         0.7          1,593,355   

Entertainment

         0.7          1,539,437   

Apparel

         0.6          1,408,630   

Distribution/Wholesale

         0.6          1,327,441   

Home Furnishings

         0.5          1,233,717   

Gas

         0.5          1,137,306   

Environmental Control

         0.5          1,077,454   

Information Technology

         0.4          1,004,780   

Leisure Time

         0.4          988,032   

Household Products / Wares

         0.4          984,475   

Media

         0.4          904,670   

Energy-Alternate Sources

         0.4          832,033   

Housewares

         0.4          800,068   

Packaging & Containers

         0.3          705,220   

Airlines

         0.3          683,999   

Machinery-Construction & Mining

         0.3          648,689   

Hand / Machine Tools

         0.3          583,086   

Office Furnishings

         0.2          417,201   

Real Estate

         0.2          377,860   

Electric

         0.2          370,036   

Agriculture

         0.1          213,048   

Forest Products & Paper

         0.1          206,007   

Water

         0.1          169,608   

Holding Companies-Diversified

         0.1          137,006   

Trucking & Leasing

         0.0          109,194   

Advertising

         0.0          80,243   

Storage / Warehousing

         0.0          79,534   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

         0.0          78,215   

Iron / Steel

         0.0          63,082   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

         3.6          7,994,549   
      

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         100.0     $ 225,100,745   
      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

4


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.4%

   

Advertising — 0.0%

   

Xcel Brands, Inc.*

    16,178          $ 80,243   
   

 

 

 

Aerospace/Defense — 1.4%

   

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*

    20,903            375,627   

Aerovironment, Inc.*

    7,638            188,964   

Cubic Corp.

    18,562            869,073   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    2,004            180,160   

HEICO Corp.

    5,657            384,450   

Kaman Corp.

    2,787            125,108   

KLX, Inc.*

    18,904            705,875   

Moog, Inc., Class A*

    1,762            103,940   

National Presto Industries, Inc.

    728            63,525   

Orbital ATK, Inc.

    1,778            134,115   
   

 

 

 
            3,130,837   
   

 

 

 

Agriculture — 0.1%

   

Andersons, Inc., (The)

    3,403            125,741   

Universal Corp.

    1,451            87,307   
   

 

 

 
      213,048   
   

 

 

 

Airlines — 0.3%

   

Allegiant Travel Co.

    226            31,242   

Controladora Vuela Cia de Aviacion SAB de CV, ADR (Mexico)*

    5,936            105,601   

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.*

    2,251            105,752   

SkyWest, Inc.

    15,636            441,404   
   

 

 

 
      683,999   
   

 

 

 

Apparel — 0.6%

   

Iconix Brand Group, Inc.*

    10,404            87,394   

Oxford Industries, Inc.

    1,304            81,383   

Perry Ellis International, Inc.*

    3,017            56,237   

Rocky Brands, Inc.

    34,000            359,380   

Sequential Brands Group, Inc.*

    13,130            95,718   

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*

    6,336            154,028   

Steven Madden Ltd.*

    3,222            113,060   

Superior Uniform Group, Inc.

    17,022            289,034   

Unifi, Inc.*

    1,604            41,752   

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

    5,464            130,644   
   

 

 

 
      1,408,630   
   

 

 

 

Auto Parts & Equipment — 1.3%

  

 

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*

    6,688            114,632   

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

    7,340            235,467   

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*

    44,175            1,255,895   

Spartan Motors, Inc.

    87,974            867,424   

Superior Industries International, Inc.

    2,532            73,707   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Auto Parts & Equipment — (Continued)

  

 

Unique Fabricating, Inc.

    33,154          $ 417,409   
   

 

 

 
            2,964,534   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 6.4%

   

1st Source Corp.

    9,059            320,602   

American River Bankshares*

    51,230            523,571   

Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

    29,792            459,095   

Bancorp, Inc., (The)*

    29,860            184,833   

Bank of Commerce Holdings

    75,720            507,324   

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

    10,752            421,263   

Banner Corp.

    1,722            76,250   

Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.

    14,098            181,582   

Cardinal Financial Corp.

    4,668            125,336   

CB Financial Services, Inc.

    7,990            179,775   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    2,762            70,680   

City Holding Co.

    4,208            212,883   

CoBiz Financial, Inc.

    19,947            261,904   

Community Bank System, Inc.

    1,997            94,758   

CU Bancorp*

    12,021            290,908   

CVB Financial Corp.

    8,715            155,040   

Farmers National Banc Corp.

    48,310            481,651   

FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*

    10,568            404,754   

First BanCorp (Puerto Rico)*

    46,257            226,659   

First Bancshares, Inc., (The)

    13,010            225,073   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    899            256,134   

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

    11,374            116,129   

First Financial Bancorp

    7,350            160,230   

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    6,581            240,996   

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

    3,879            116,137   

Home BancShares, Inc.

    11,434            267,556   

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

    14,673            252,377   

Horizon Bancorp

    19,230            538,632   

Independent Bank Corp. Rockland MA

    1,226            64,953   

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc.

    13,086            185,298   

MB Financial, Inc.

    6,569            257,373   

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.

    46,750            473,577   

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

    12,280            315,596   

OFG Bancorp (Puerto Rico)

    9,765            106,536   

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.

    23,590            481,000   

Pacific Continental Corp.

    34,950            576,675   

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp*

    80,200            615,936   

Park Sterling Corp.

    92,020            780,330   

People’s Utah Bancorp

    29,050            571,704   
 

 

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

 

5


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Banks — (Continued)

   

Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.

    36,100          $ 603,592   

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

    2,852            131,049   

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

    4,403            144,627   

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

    1,396            73,318   

Tompkins Financial Corp.

    1,660            122,724   

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

    17,124            122,265   

UMB Financial Corp.

    3,746            227,757   

United Bankshares, Inc.

    5,281            208,071   

United Community Banks, Inc.

    3,164            66,381   

Webster Financial Corp.

    11,123            429,681   

Westamerica Bancorporation

    2,698            137,166   

Western Alliance Bancorp*

    11,453            437,734   
   

 

 

 
      14,485,475   
   

 

 

 

Beverages — 1.0%

   

DavidsTea, Inc. (Canada)*

    24,763            336,034   

Farmer Brothers Co.*

    21,549            689,999   

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

    10,718            428,077   

Primo Water Corp.*

    58,663            679,318   

Reed’s, Inc.*

    53,398            191,699   
   

 

 

 
      2,325,127   
   

 

 

 

Biotechnology — 2.4%

   

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,087            233,658   

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,174            75,636   

ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    2,019            120,615   

Aptevo Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1            1   

Blueprint Medicines Corp.*

    22,815            636,082   

Cambrex Corp.*

    1,323            56,664   

ChromaDex Corp.*

    48,795            160,536   

Exact Sciences Corp.*

    14,640            270,401   

Exelixis, Inc.*

    30,137            336,028   

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.*

    6,150            270,477   

KemPharm, Inc.*

    8,122            35,087   

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,187            122,629   

Loxo Oncology, Inc.*

    14,497            399,247   

Medicines Co., (The)*

    4,827            189,074   

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    8,455            101,629   

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

    174,477            1,402,795   

Otonomy, Inc.*

    21,545            354,415   

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    13,638            183,704   

Pfenex, Inc.*

    21,603            156,190   

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.*

    22,496            96,508   

Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.*

    24,558            82,269   

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    33,748            179,202   

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    73,727            59,925   
   

 

 

 
            5,522,772   
   

 

 

 

Building Materials — 1.4%

   

AAON, Inc.

    2,382            67,411   

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    9,809            474,756   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Building Materials — (Continued)

  

 

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.*

    65,124          $ 319,759   

Boise Cascade Co.*

    3,324            87,222   

Drew Industries, Inc.

    1,629            165,914   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

    11,494            438,611   

Griffon Corp.

    4,619            79,077   

Headwaters, Inc.*

    4,288            77,741   

Patrick Industries, Inc.*

    6,872            440,014   

PGT, Inc.*

    30,528            363,588   

Quanex Building Products Corp.

    3,053            59,014   

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    2,069            90,788   

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

    2,701            294,814   

US Concrete, Inc.*

    1,763            93,474   
   

 

 

 
      3,052,183   
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 1.4%

   

A Schulman, Inc.

    2,144            54,672   

Balchem Corp.

    1,142            79,974   

Calgon Carbon Corp.

    2,387            34,611   

Chemours Co., (The)

    15,445            203,720   

Codexis, Inc.*

    36,078            150,445   

Hawkins, Inc.

    7,480            326,726   

HB Fuller Co.

    4,743            225,198   

Ingevity Corp.*

    1,909            84,721   

Innophos Holdings, Inc.

    2,279            96,219   

Innospec, Inc.

    1,121            66,453   

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

    6,130            172,008   

Koppers Holdings, Inc.*

    2,012            65,672   

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.*

    2,728            98,372   

Landec Corp.*

    96,287            1,247,880   

Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.

    6,815            83,824   

Stepan Co.

    2,701            189,772   
   

 

 

 
            3,180,267   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 6.6%

   

ABM Industries, Inc.

    3,179            122,169   

American Public Education, Inc.*

    243            5,023   

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

    11,951            432,985   

ARC Document Solutions, Inc.*

    129,270            436,933   

AstroNova, Inc.

    18,890            277,872   

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

    22,782            1,063,008   

BG Staffing, Inc.

    31,194            544,647   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    12,596            382,415   

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.*

    3,191            217,499   

Brink’s Co., (The)

    4,054            147,971   

Capella Education Co.

    1,954            115,130   

Cardtronics PLC, Class A (United Kingdom)*

    1,985            89,146   
 

 

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

 

6


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Commercial Services — (Continued)

  

 

Care.com, Inc.*

    39,250          $ 410,947   

CorVel Corp.*

    1,091            41,938   

CRA International, Inc.*

    25,680            696,442   

Green Dot Corp., Class A*

    4,948            114,794   

Hackett Group, Inc., (The)

    18,788            307,184   

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

    3,392            136,935   

HealthEquity, Inc.*

    1,801            58,641   

HMS Holdings Corp.*

    26,741            583,221   

Insperity, Inc.

    5,945            389,695   

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A

    25,612            489,701   

Korn Ferry International

    3,845            91,665   

Landauer, Inc.

    1,214            57,689   

LendingTree, Inc.*

    2,431            235,807   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

    5,071            854,666   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    1,608            98,908   

Medifast, Inc.

    17,440            641,269   

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    1,399            78,918   

Navigant Consulting, Inc.*

    3,071            60,314   

Nord Anglia Education, Inc. (Cayman Islands)*

    17,629            373,382   

Nutrisystem, Inc.

    18,835            542,825   

On Assignment, Inc.*

    3,035            114,450   

PAREXEL International Corp.*

    2,105            143,203   

PFSweb, Inc.*

    72,363            698,303   

Rent-A-Center, Inc., Class A

    4,810            58,778   

ServiceSource International, Inc.*

    136,098            688,656   

SP Plus Corp.*

    36,864            921,600   

Square, Inc.,Class A*

    35,901            437,633   

Strayer Education, Inc.*

    1,470            71,560   

Team, Inc.*

    2,595            82,443   

TriNet Group, Inc.*

    27,729            582,309   

TrueBlue, Inc.*

    2,484            54,275   

Viad Corp.

    22,987            822,015   
   

 

 

 
            14,774,964   
   

 

 

 

Computers — 5.2%

  

 

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    4,279            38,423   

CACI International, Inc., Class A*

    1,145            113,767   

Computer Services, Inc.

    16,569            617,527   

Datalink Corp.*

    93,230            908,060   

Digimarc Corp.*

    12,434            449,116   

Electronics For Imaging, Inc.*

    1,897            89,311   

Engility Holdings, Inc.*

    2,262            67,860   

ExlService Holdings, Inc.*

    1,497            76,616   

Globant S.A. (Luxembourg)*

    17,188            671,191   

Icad, Inc.*

    71,137            418,997   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Computers — (Continued)

  

 

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

    2,176          $ 66,586   

KEYW Holding Corp., (The)*

    29,858            297,684   

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    10,721            434,308   

LivePerson, Inc.*

    9,192            71,606   

Luxoft Holding, Inc. (British Virgin Islands)*

    6,114            313,709   

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

    10,750            650,590   

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    1,853            108,993   

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.*

    29,956            151,877   

Mercury Systems, Inc.*

    42,231            957,799   

Mitek Systems, Inc.*

    109,668            852,120   

MTS Systems Corp.

    1,993            99,152   

Quantum Corp.*

    518,070            332,186   

Radisys Corp.*

    201,540            989,561   

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

    3,359            72,655   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

    1,995            58,314   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

    3,501            99,253   

USA Technologies, Inc.*

    68,654            341,897   

VeriFone Systems, Inc.*

    52,570            1,044,040   

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

    74,280            1,210,764   
   

 

 

 
            11,603,962   
   

 

 

 

Cosmetics/Personal Care — 0.0%

  

 

Inter Parfums, Inc.

    2,289            78,215   
   

 

 

 

Distribution/Wholesale — 0.6%

  

 

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.*

    9,000            413,820   

Pool Corp.

    2,106            212,432   

ScanSource, Inc.*

    1,959            67,017   

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.*

    16,584            634,172   
   

 

 

 
      1,327,441   
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 2.8%

  

 

Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.*

    37,088            1,270,264   

Ellie Mae, Inc.*

    4,140            405,182   

Encore Capital Group, Inc.*

    3,605            77,724   

Enova International, Inc.*

    41,598            398,925   

Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A

    1,107            56,723   

Financial Engines, Inc.

    3,587            114,676   

FNFV Group*

    139,655            1,800,153   

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

    6,119            140,370   

Hennessy Advisors, Inc.

    14,720            500,480   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

    3,063            109,900   

Investment Tech. Group, Inc.

    2,378            36,574   

PRA Group, Inc.*

    3,304            105,662   

Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Inc., Class A

    20,822            257,985   

WageWorks, Inc.*

    11,370            702,552   

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

    5,337            267,117   
 

 

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

 

7


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Diversified Financial Services — (Continued)

  

World Acceptance Corp.*

    2,155          $ 103,677   
   

 

 

 
      6,347,964   
   

 

 

 

Electric — 0.2%

  

ALLETE, Inc.

    4,232            250,958   

Avista Corp.

    1,395            56,665   

El Paso Electric Co.

    1,366            62,413   
   

 

 

 
      370,036   
   

 

 

 

Electrical Components & Equipment — 1.0%

  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*

    2,466            108,381   

Encore Wire Corp.

    1,956            75,736   

EnerSys

    3,171            223,175   

General Cable Corp.

    5,438            87,715   

Graham Corp.

    14,664            280,229   

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    13,010            433,233   

Littelfuse, Inc.

    1,079            136,817   

Powell Industries, Inc.

    7,206            286,438   

Research Frontiers, Inc.*

    53,359            164,346   

SPX Corp.*

    4,521            85,628   

Universal Display Corp.*

    6,463            372,204   
   

 

 

 
            2,253,902   
   

 

 

 

Electronics — 2.3%

  

Brady Corp., Class A

    2,928            98,059   

Coherent, Inc.*

    1,014            106,652   

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

    1,920            86,630   

FARO Technologies, Inc.*

    2,255            73,513   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    12,807            394,840   

II-VI, Inc.*

    3,812            80,776   

IMAX Corp. (Canada)*

    13,100            399,419   

Itron, Inc.*

    4,655            221,718   

Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (Israel)

    22,201            550,585   

Methode Electronics, Inc.

    2,476            90,745   

Napco Security Technologies, Inc.*

    51,481            368,089   

Orbotech Ltd. (Israel)*

    14,782            422,470   

OSI Systems, Inc.*

    6,966            467,140   

Plexus Corp.*

    2,641            121,882   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc.*

    1,704            54,545   

Rogers Corp.*

    1,868            104,440   

Sanmina Corp.*

    6,648            174,709   

TASER International, Inc.*

    18,217            493,316   

TTM Technologies, Inc.*

    8,548            91,720   

ZAGG, Inc.*

    103,200            750,264   
   

 

 

 
      5,151,512   
   

 

 

 

Energy-Alternate Sources — 0.4%

  

Green Plains, Inc.

    3,277            79,566   

REX American Resources Corp.*

    6,135            493,499   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Energy-Alternate Sources — (Continued)

  

TPI Composites, Inc.*

    13,020          $ 258,968   
   

 

 

 
      832,033   
   

 

 

 

Engineering & Construction — 1.5%

  

Aegion Corp.*

    5,582            103,379   

Argan, Inc.

    3,370            161,120   

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    4,006            113,730   

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

    2,682            217,564   

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    4,741            271,470   

Exponent, Inc.

    1,390            70,098   

Granite Construction, Inc.

    8,041            385,968   

MasTec, Inc.*

    13,928            410,180   

MYR Group, Inc.*

    4,168            120,872   

NV5 Global, Inc.*

    28,010            856,266   

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

    77,660            500,907   

TopBuild Corp.*

    2,707            92,363   
   

 

 

 
            3,303,917   
   

 

 

 

Entertainment — 0.7%

  

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    25,578            851,492   

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

    5,336            411,406   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.*

    3,069            36,951   

Scientific Games Corp., Class A*

    6,167            50,878   

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

    14,505            188,710   
   

 

 

 
      1,539,437   
   

 

 

 

Environmental Control — 0.5%

  

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*

    15,620            141,986   

Energy Recovery, Inc.*

    9,267            111,945   

Hudson Technologies, Inc.*

    35,785            231,529   

Tetra Tech, Inc.

    3,198            112,889   

US Ecology, Inc.

    10,680            479,105   
   

 

 

 
      1,077,454   
   

 

 

 

Food — 1.3%

  

B&G Foods, Inc.

    4,803            228,046   

Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc.*

    15,844            408,458   

Calavo Growers, Inc.

    4,968            292,864   

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

    1,402            64,408   

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

    8,943            125,917   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

    28,740            1,087,234   

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

    681            83,082   

Lifeway Foods, Inc.*

    31,140            386,136   

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

    1,371            131,931   

Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.

    3,587            126,773   

SpartanNash Co.

    2,270            72,685   
   

 

 

 
      3,007,534   
   

 

 

 

Forest Products & Paper — 0.1%

  

Clearwater Paper Corp.*

    1,300            80,691   
 

 

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

 

8


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Forest Products & Paper — (Continued)

  

 

Neenah Paper, Inc.

    743          $ 59,759   

PH Glatfelter Co.

    2,957            65,557   
   

 

 

 
      206,007   
   

 

 

 

Gas — 0.5%

  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    2,340            78,718   

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

    2,390            142,755   

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

    5,397            324,360   

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

    4,502            133,619   

Southwest Gas Corp.

    1,612            112,550   

Spire, Inc.

    5,337            345,304   
   

 

 

 
      1,137,306   
   

 

 

 

Hand / Machine Tools — 0.3%

  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

    1,615            61,774   

Hardinge, Inc.

    49,320            521,312   
   

 

 

 
      583,086   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 5.3%

  

Abaxis, Inc.

    1,761            88,297   

ABIOMED, Inc.*

    1,897            223,732   

Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.*

    118,190            355,752   

Analogic Corp.

    998            88,822   

Biolase, Inc.*

    17,757            30,542   

BioTelemetry, Inc.*

    16,810            310,481   

Cantel Medical Corp.

    1,814            137,157   

Cerus Corp.*

    161,473                  1,022,124   

CONMED Corp.

    1,533            62,546   

CRH Medical Corp. (Canada)*

    178,050            623,175   

CryoLife, Inc.

    21,972            350,453   

Cynosure, Inc., Class A*

    10,448            544,236   

Digirad Corp.

    51,023            258,176   

Endologix, Inc.*

    32,946            400,623   

Haemonetics Corp.*

    3,260            121,142   

ICU Medical, Inc.*

    578            72,117   

Inogen, Inc.*

    7,750            449,655   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.*

    1,544            133,432   

Invacare Corp.

    4,731            56,157   

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

    23,489            431,728   

Luminex Corp.*

    2,141            45,111   

Masimo Corp.*

    3,409            201,608   

Mazor Robotics Ltd., SP ADR (Israel)*

    2,869            64,208   

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

    4,900            95,305   

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

    22,333            541,352   

NanoString Technologies, Inc.*

    36,457            589,145   

Nevro Corp.*

    5,188            489,903   

NuVasive, Inc.*

    9,611            629,232   

NxStage Medical, Inc.*

    16,086            367,726   

Orthofix International N.V. (Curacao)*

    7,285            328,626   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Healthcare-Products — (Continued)

  

 

Penumbra, Inc.*

    5,506          $ 388,503   

Repligen Corp.*

    2,667            82,650   

Spectranetics Corp., (The)*

    20,312            499,878   

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*

    12,870            187,258   

Trinity Biotech, PLC, SP ADR (Ireland)*

    29,640            397,769   

Vascular Solutions, Inc.*

    9,703            467,394   

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    7,912            647,439   

Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.*

    3,797            144,742   
   

 

 

 
            11,928,196   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare-Services — 1.8%

  

Air Methods Corp.*

    20,983            738,182   

Almost Family, Inc.*

    11,070            407,708   

Amedisys, Inc.*

    2,217            106,704   

Amsurg Corp.*

    2,682            174,115   

Chemed Corp.

    621            83,792   

Ensign Group, Inc., (The)

    1,356            25,479   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

    6,514            71,915   

LHC Group, Inc.*

    12,145            431,876   

Magellan Health, Inc.*

    1,789            102,188   

Natera, Inc.*

    44,752            445,282   

Providence Service Corp.,
(The)*

    927            43,689   

Psychemedics Corp.

    22,388            453,805   

Surgery Partners, Inc.*

    21,861            421,043   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc.*

    8,036            331,485   

US Physical Therapy, Inc.

    4,377            275,970   
   

 

 

 
      4,113,233   
   

 

 

 

Holding Companies-Diversified — 0.1%

  

KLR Energy Acquisition Corp.*

    13,432            137,006   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 1.3%

  

Cavco Industries, Inc.*

    6,379            667,052   

Installed Building Products, Inc.*

    15,923            531,510   

LGI Homes, Inc.*

    17,287            664,167   

Meritage Homes Corp.*

    1,542            55,358   

PICO Holdings, Inc.*

    50,178            552,962   

UCP, Inc., Class A*

    37,040            312,618   

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

    5,231            125,910   
   

 

 

 
      2,909,577   
   

 

 

 

Home Furnishings — 0.5%

  

American Woodmark Corp.*

    1,043            90,741   

DTS, Inc.

    1,939            64,879   

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    1,908            63,842   

Hooker Furniture Corp.

    10,752            250,092   

iRobot Corp.*

    968            38,584   

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

    2,225            59,341   

Select Comfort Corp.*

    2,991            78,514   
 

 

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

 

9


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Home Furnishings — (Continued)

  

 

Universal Electronics, Inc.*

    7,939          $ 587,724   
   

 

 

 
      1,233,717   
   

 

 

 

Household Products / Wares — 0.4%

  

Acme United Corp.

    15,224            312,396   

SodaStream International Ltd. (Israel)*

    19,539            554,321   

WD-40 Co.

    995            117,758   
   

 

 

 
      984,475   
   

 

 

 

Housewares — 0.4%

  

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

    40,260            540,289   

Toro Co., (The)

    2,674            259,779   
   

 

 

 
      800,068   
   

 

 

 

Information Technology — 0.4%

  

Inphi Corp.*

    23,329            1,004,780   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 2.2%

  

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG (Switzerland)

    21,360            866,362   

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    7,985            140,696   

American National Insurance Co.

    5,150            601,623   

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (Cayman Islands)*

    8,714            152,756   

Conifer Holdings, Inc.*

    61,960            469,657   

eHealth, Inc.*

    18,644            209,559   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    3,729            113,623   

HCI Group, Inc.

    862            27,403   

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    2,570            93,933   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

    1,346            113,414   

Maiden Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)

    4,555            62,905   

ProAssurance Corp.

    2,565            141,126   

RLI Corp.

    1,478            104,908   

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

    1,702            113,098   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    3,866            154,253   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. (Bermuda)

    1,988            1,638,152   
   

 

 

 
            5,003,468   
   

 

 

 

Internet — 3.8%

  

8x8, Inc.*

    64,448            855,225   

Autobytel, Inc.*

    14,162            232,257   

Blucora, Inc.*

    3,569            36,939   

Blue Nile, Inc.

    2,978            102,622   

Boingo Wireless, Inc.*

    45,803            389,325   

ePlus, Inc.*

    9,058            819,840   

Etsy, Inc.*

    30,005            403,867   

GrubHub, Inc.*

    11,285            457,832   

HealthStream, Inc.*

    2,625            69,799   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Internet — (Continued)

  

 

magicJack VocalTec Ltd. (Israel)*

    89,650          $ 555,830   

Match Group, Inc.*

    39,774            643,941   

NIC, Inc.

    3,334            76,615   

Q2 Holdings, Inc.*

    5,974            169,184   

Quotient Tech., Inc.*

    34,924            452,615   

Reis, Inc.

    17,428            339,846   

Rightside Group Ltd.*

    30,453            287,172   

RingCentral, Inc., Class A*

    17,992            394,924   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (Canada)*

    10,747            444,496   

Shutterfly, Inc.*

    7,611            382,224   

Stamps.com, Inc.*

    1,004            97,107   

VASCO Data Security International, Inc.*

    3,914            71,352   

WebMD Health Corp.*

    6,132            316,227   

Wix.com Ltd. (Israel)*

    12,626            528,019   

Zendesk, Inc.*

    14,485            442,372   
   

 

 

 
      8,569,630   
   

 

 

 

Investment Companies — 0.7%

  

Acacia Research Corp.

    119,060            711,979   

Capital Southwest Corp.

    30,431            454,031   

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.

    32,797            427,345   
   

 

 

 
            1,593,355   
   

 

 

 

Iron / Steel — 0.0%

  

AK Steel Holding Corp.*

    14,144            63,082   
   

 

 

 

Leisure Time — 0.4%

  

Arctic Cat, Inc.

    22,536            319,335   

Callaway Golf Co.

    4,678            53,423   

MCBC Holdings, Inc.

    11,750            140,295   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A*

    21,939            474,979   
   

 

 

 
      988,032   
   

 

 

 

Lodging — 1.1%

  

Belmond Ltd., Class A
(Bermuda)*

    10,812            120,770   

Boyd Gaming Corp.*

    4,776            93,132   

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

    8,186            142,436   

La Quinta Holdings, Inc.*

    63,600            734,580   

Marcus Corp., (The)

    19,503            460,271   

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*

    18,659            443,898   

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A

    18,310            412,707   
   

 

 

 
      2,407,794   
   

 

 

 

Machinery-Construction & Mining — 0.3%

  

Astec Industries, Inc.

    11,034            648,689   
   

 

 

 

Machinery-Diversified — 1.5%

  

Albany International Corp., Class A

    1,126            47,664   
 

 

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

 

10


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Machinery-Diversified — (Continued)

  

 

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

    1,045          $ 49,658   

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

    4,802            91,286   

Chart Industries, Inc.*

    6,971            209,967   

Cognex Corp.

    3,904            194,263   

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

    21,850            383,686   

Hurco Cos, Inc.

    15,770            425,948   

Manitex International, Inc.*

    69,230            440,303   

NN, Inc.

    33,040            586,460   

SPX FLOW, Inc.*

    10,543            310,070   

Tennant Co.

    1,504            97,354   

Twin Disc, Inc.

    50,450            655,345   
   

 

 

 
            3,492,004   
   

 

 

 

Media — 0.4%

  

 

EW Scripps Co., (The), Class A*

    3,131            53,196   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    3,832            45,716   

Scholastic Corp.

    1,251            50,365   

Tribune Media Co., Class A

    19,837            755,393   
   

 

 

 
      904,670   
   

 

 

 

Metal Fabricate/Hardware — 1.0%

  

 

CIRCOR International, Inc.

    889            52,504   

Dynamic Materials Corp.

    88,150            969,650   

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    4,223            145,947   

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    33,759            408,146   

Northwest Pipe Co.*

    43,620            512,535   

TimkenSteel Corp.

    8,182            80,593   
   

 

 

 
      2,169,375   
   

 

 

 

Mining — 1.0%

  

 

A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.

    22,692            382,360   

Century Aluminum Co.*

    22,999            144,434   

Fairmount Santrol Holdings, Inc.*

    32,040            238,057   

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    1,268            108,072   

Materion Corp.

    1,920            56,333   

Stillwater Mining Co.*

    8,970            113,471   

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.

    5,566            356,948   

US Silica Holdings, Inc.

    21,464            842,462   
   

 

 

 
      2,242,137   
   

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 1.5%

  

 

Actuant Corp., Class A

    4,632            110,381   

EnPro Industries, Inc.

    2,498            134,642   

Fabrinet (Cayman Islands)*

    28,929            1,123,024   

Harsco Corp.

    14,378            143,061   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    2,960            95,164   

John Bean Technologies Corp.

    8,610            591,335   

Lydall, Inc.*

    21,079            1,012,635   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — (Continued)

  

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

    1,620          $ 99,290   
   

 

 

 
      3,309,532   
   

 

 

 

Office Furnishings — 0.2%

  

 

Interface, Inc.

    5,654            99,963   

Kimball International, Inc., Class B

    25,481            317,238   
   

 

 

 
      417,201   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 2.0%

  

 

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

    28,400            224,360   

Callon Petroleum Co.*

    36,083            525,008   

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.*

    3,151            120,652   

Evolution Petroleum Corp.

    78,461            444,874   

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.*

    86,490            239,577   

Murphy USA, Inc.*

    9,999            731,127   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*

    12,785            432,772   

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

    17,570            384,783   

PDC Energy, Inc.*

    8,030            533,192   

Ring Energy, Inc.*

    25,570            253,654   

RSP Permian, Inc.*

    11,491            448,724   

Synergy Resources Corp.*

    13,188            86,381   

Unit Corp.*

    4,358            74,478   
   

 

 

 
            4,499,582   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Services — 0.9%

  

 

CARBO Ceramics, Inc.

    3,314            41,524   

Dawson Geophysical Co.*

    46,575            335,806   

Flotek Industries, Inc.*

    5,288            81,964   

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*

    17,356            130,170   

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*

    31,151            736,410   

PHI, Inc.*

    6,007            111,910   

Profire Energy, Inc.*

    226,750            265,297   

Tesco Corp. (Canada)

    29,175            198,682   

TETRA Technologies, Inc.*

    13,636            82,498   
   

 

 

 
      1,984,261   
   

 

 

 

Packaging & Containers — 0.3%

  

 

AEP Industries, Inc.

    5,630            622,678   

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.

    4,714            82,542   
   

 

 

 
      705,220   
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 2.2%

  

 

Akorn, Inc.*

    19,559            526,528   

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1,077            50,877   

Array BioPharma, Inc.*

    53,114            182,181   

Cynapsus Therapeutics, Inc. (Canada)*

    6,698            122,975   

Depomed, Inc.*

    2,829            57,400   

Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.*

    1,589            49,720   
 

 

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

 

11


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Pharmaceuticals — (Continued)

  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    6,809          $ 406,838   

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    2,651            58,295   

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.*

    26,425            440,769   

Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
(Israel)*

    39,897            331,145   

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.*

    8,149            138,452   

Heska Corp.*

    4,274            233,232   

Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    28,859            120,342   

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.*

    5,032            202,991   

Lannett Co., Inc.*

    2,047            69,311   

MyoKardia, Inc.*

    11,620            254,246   

Nektar Therapeutics*

    7,708            137,588   

Neogen Corp.*

    1,733            102,351   

Patheon N.V. (Netherlands)*

    16,108            450,863   

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

    2,922            70,917   

PRA Health Sciences, Inc.*

    8,357            422,446   

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*

    4,121            198,344   

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.*

    14,143            198,709   

Xencor, Inc.*

    3,945            83,358   
   

 

 

 
            4,909,878   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate — 0.2%

  

Farmland Partners, Inc.

    27,757            323,369   

HFF, Inc., Class A

    2,032            54,478   

RMR Group, Inc., (The), Class A

    —^          13   
   

 

 

 
      377,860   
   

 

 

 

REITS — 1.6%

  

Acadia Realty Trust

    3,764            139,042   

Agree Realty Corp.

    1,641            78,752   

American Assets Trust, Inc.

    1,089            48,243   

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    3,664            54,447   

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.

    15,667            118,599   

CoreSite Realty Corp.

    1,355            105,717   

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    17,427            192,046   

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    2,590            190,054   

GEO Group, Inc., (The)

    24,762            496,230   

Getty Realty Corp.

    5,174            121,734   

Government Properties Income Trust

    6,612            154,060   

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    7,137            250,223   

Kite Realty Group Trust

    4,619            133,397   

Lexington Realty Trust

    12,112            130,688   

Life Storage, Inc.

    1,313            118,170   

LTC Properties, Inc.

    3,774            195,946   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    7,925            121,015   

Parkway Properties, Inc. Md

    5,402            97,236   

Post Properties, Inc.

    2,005            132,891   

PS Business Parks, Inc.

    1,242            137,589   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

REITS — (Continued)

  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    3,666          $ 81,788   

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

    8,635            220,020   

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

    6,963            99,571   

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

    3,063            188,650   

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

    4,968            112,823   
   

 

 

 
            3,718,931   
   

 

 

 

Retail — 5.4%

  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    21,583            400,149   

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*

    1,513            81,278   

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.*

    3,876            43,372   

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

    8,365            95,863   

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

    62,080            776,621   

Biglari Holdings, Inc.*

    1,976            870,606   

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.

    37,350            729,819   

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*

    35,184            701,569   

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*

    13,913            172,243   

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., Class A*

    44,710            518,636   

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    19,706            265,243   

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

    4,983            654,318   

Children’s Place, Inc., (The)

    1,027            83,598   

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.*

    8,957            271,218   

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

    790            120,167   

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.*

    42,712            479,656   

Duluth Holdings, Inc., Class B*

    7,676            232,660   

EZCORP, Inc., Class A*

    6,969            72,129   

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    2,672            67,495   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    5,591            134,575   

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.

    2,930            151,540   

Five Below, Inc.*

    3,696            164,694   

Francesca’s Holdings Corp.*

    4,785            65,315   

Fred’s, Inc., Class A

    3,725            42,130   

Genesco, Inc.*

    1,453            105,546   

Gordmans Stores, Inc.*

    146,790            174,680   

Habit Restaurants, Inc., (The), Class A*

    15,314            234,610   

Hibbett Sports, Inc.*

    2,854            109,508   

J Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.*

    43,316            431,861   

Kona Grill, Inc.*

    33,852            449,893   

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

    1,169            96,758   

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*

    5,091            80,234   

MarineMax, Inc.*

    16,693            331,022   
 

 

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

 

12


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Retail — (Continued)

  

 

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.*

    8,158          $ 207,376   

Outerwall, Inc.

    1,472            76,485   

Papa John’s International, Inc.

    1,043            78,048   

PC Connection, Inc.

    23,470            611,863   

PCM, Inc.*

    45,830            851,063   

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.* .

    1,059            57,747   

Regis Corp.*

    5,388            67,727   

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

    4,378            65,495   

Sonic Corp.

    2,263            64,925   

Stage Stores, Inc.

    49,700            267,386   

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    2,804            124,133   

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.*

    2,514            69,688   

Wingstop, Inc.

    8,124            246,076   

Zumiez, Inc.*

    4,251            70,992   
   

 

 

 
            12,068,010   
   

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 0.8%

  

Astoria Financial Corp.

    5,686            86,996   

BofI Holding, Inc.*

    3,461            74,411   

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

    9,875            117,907   

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

    8,292            146,437   

FS Bancorp, Inc.

    8,510            238,365   

Meta Financial Group, Inc.

    10,270            632,118   

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.*

    11,145            300,804   

Sterling Bancorp

    6,871            122,647   
   

 

 

 
      1,719,685   
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 5.0%

  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*

    69,006            510,644   

Amtech Systems, Inc.*

    61,790            329,959   

AXT, Inc.*

    125,830            537,294   

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.

    1,581            78,607   

Cavium, Inc.*

    9,011            501,717   

CEVA, Inc.*

    29,717            935,491   

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

    3,525            178,894   

Cohu, Inc.

    53,570            582,306   

Exar Corp.*

    4,206            38,275   

GigPeak, Inc.*

    302,880            569,414   

Himax Technologies, Inc., ADR (Cayman Islands)

    43,748            464,604   

Impinj, Inc.*

    20,786            474,337   

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.*

    6,419            78,504   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp.*

    116,527            1,003,297   

Microsemi Corp.*

    4,990            199,400   

MKS Instruments, Inc.

    9,788            477,067   

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    8,050            617,596   

Nanometrics, Inc.*

    9,978            202,953   

Power Integrations, Inc.

    3,164            184,778   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Semiconductors — (Continued)

  

 

Rambus, Inc.*

    3,550          $ 49,061   

Rovi Corp.*

    7,248            148,367   

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*

    36,840            646,174   

Semtech Corp.*

    5,218            138,799   

Silicon Motion Technology Corp., Class A, ADR (Cayman Islands)

    19,039            961,089   

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

    1,105            37,062   

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*

    106,140            771,638   

Ultratech, Inc.*

    2,172            54,322   

Xcerra Corp.*

    78,380            459,307   
   

 

 

 
            11,230,956   
   

 

 

 

Software — 7.0%

  

Amber Road, Inc.*

    70,756            742,230   

American Software, Inc., Class A

    29,780            310,010   

Apigee Corp.*

    34,156            522,928   

Aspen Technology, Inc.*

    9,732            442,417   

Blackbaud, Inc.

    2,160            145,519   

Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.*

    2,442            56,386   

BroadSoft, Inc.*

    9,316            425,834   

Callidus Software, Inc.*

    16,887            326,257   

CommVault Systems, Inc.*

    8,151            420,103   

Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.

    1,980            51,124   

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.*

    5,591            245,557   

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    18,260            798,327   

Ebix, Inc.

    2,006            114,342   

Evolent Health, Inc., Class A*

    25,515            634,558   

Five9, Inc.*

    47,495            711,950   

HubSpot, Inc.*

    7,427            413,981   

InnerWorkings, Inc.*

    73,290            650,082   

Instructure, Inc.*

    31,022            742,356   

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc.*

    1,446            86,543   

j2 Global, Inc.

    1,848            125,978   

ManTech International Corp., Class A

    2,301            92,132   

Medidata Solutions, Inc.*

    10,490            567,509   

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*

    3,956            659,821   

Omnicell, Inc.*

    12,658            475,688   

Paycom Software, Inc.*

    7,845            402,762   

Press Ganey Holdings, Inc.*

    10,603            427,195   

Progress Software Corp.*

    5,306            153,927   

Proofpoint, Inc.*

    11,542            888,157   

PROS Holdings, Inc.*

    16,676            328,184   

QAD, Inc., Class A

    13,177            305,311   

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.*

    38,220            1,202,019   

SharpSpring, Inc.*

    41,925            202,498   
 

 

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

 

13


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

    

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Software — (Continued)

  

Simulations Plus, Inc.

    55,587          $ 479,160   

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*

    2,561            106,922   

SYNNEX Corp.

    1,652            175,393   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*

    13,770            598,582   

Talend S.A., ADR (France)*

    9,059            231,910   

Twilio, Inc.,Class A*

    3,941            211,316   

Xactly Corp.*

    18,378            256,006   
   

 

 

 
            15,730,974   
   

 

 

 

Storage / Warehousing — 0.0%

  

 

Mobile Mini, Inc.

    2,660            79,534   
   

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 3.4%

  

 

Acacia Communications, Inc.*

    15,732            1,756,478   

ADTRAN, Inc.

    5,633            103,535   

Anixter International, Inc.*

    1,549            99,043   

ATN International, Inc.

    3,031            198,046   

Calix, Inc.*

    38,465            286,180   

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.*

    13,236            55,326   

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

    5,876            75,742   

General Communication, Inc., Class A*

    1,159            16,110   

Gigamon, Inc.*

    21,205            937,261   

GTT Communications, Inc.*

    27,008            573,380   

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

    9,628            80,201   

LogMeIn, Inc.

    1,382            115,397   

NeoPhotonics Corp.*

    17,924            267,605   

NETGEAR, Inc.*

    2,616            149,112   

NeuStar, Inc., Class A*

    29,863            758,819   

Oclaro, Inc.*

    89,705            706,875   

ORBCOMM, Inc.*

    75,383            750,061   

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

    17,783            495,612   

ViaSat, Inc.*

    1,689            126,743   

Viavi Solutions, Inc.*

    23,640            183,919   
   

 

 

 
      7,735,445   
   

 

 

 

Textiles — 0.8%

   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

    693            67,450   

UniFirst Corp.

    13,046            1,674,976   
   

 

 

 
      1,742,426   
   

 

 

 

Transportation — 2.1%

   

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*

    105,985            1,534,663   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

Transportation — (Continued)

  

ArcBest Corp.

    3,310          $ 60,606   

CAI International, Inc.*

    61,910            493,423   

Covenant Transportation Group, Inc., Class A*

    8,280            159,638   

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*

    8,773            226,343   

Forward Air Corp.

    19,002            875,612   

Heartland Express, Inc.

    8,734            166,208   

Hub Group, Inc., Class A*

    1,570            63,977   

Knight Transportation, Inc.

    3,275            92,027   

Marten Transport Ltd.

    2,931            63,222   

Matson, Inc.

    2,056            79,341   

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*

    6,158            438,019   

PAM Transportation Services, Inc.*

    19,580            387,684   

Saia, Inc.*

    4,008            121,963   
   

 

 

 
      4,762,726   
   

 

 

 

Trucking & Leasing — 0.0%

  

 

Greenbrier Cos, Inc., (The)

    3,222            109,194   
   

 

 

 

Water — 0.1%

   

American States Water Co.

    2,811            109,573   

California Water Service Group

    1,969            60,035   
   

 

 

 
      169,608   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $183,595,154)

   

          217,106,196   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 96.4%
(Cost $183,595,154)

   

    217,106,196   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 3.6%

   

    7,994,549   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

    $ 225,100,745   
   

 

 

 

 

*      Non-income producing security.

^      Amount is less than 0.5 Shares

 

ADR

  

American Depository Receipt

PLC

  

Public Limited Company

REIT

  

Real Estate Investment Trust

SP ADR

  

Sponsored American Depository Receipt

 

 

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

 

14


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $183,595,154)

   $ 217,106,196   

Cash

     8,521,661   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     1,756,823   

Dividends

     97,810   

Capital shares sold

     11,469   

Prepaid expenses

     7,619   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     227,501,578   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     1,996,791   

Investment sub-advisory fees

     166,503   

Capital shares redeemed

     77,020   

Administration and accounting services fees

     42,975   

Transfer agent fees

     16,156   

Custodian fees

     2,383   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     99,005   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,400,833   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 225,100,745   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

  

Par value

   $ 20,105   

Paid-in capital

     203,738,049   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (361,526

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (11,806,925

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     33,511,042   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 225,100,745   
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES:

  

Net Assets

   $ 225,100,745   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     20,104,840   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.20   
  

 

 

 

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

 

15


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statement of Operations

For The Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $ 4,355)

   $ 1,819,557   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,819,557   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Sub-Advisory fees (Note 2)

     1,730,452   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     203,838   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     139,336   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     71,328   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     51,525   

Registration and filing fees

     37,130   

Legal fees

     33,087   

Audit fees

     22,554   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     30,491   

Other expenses

     33,093   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     2,352,834   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (533,277
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Investments

     (9,320,847

Foreign currency transactions

     41   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     22,883,190   

Foreign currency translation

     (42
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     13,562,342   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 13,029,065   
  

 

 

 

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

 

16


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    For the           For the             
    Year Ended       Period Ended      
   

August 31, 2016

 

August 31, 2015(1)

 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

                             

Net investment loss

     $ (533,277        $ (673,104  

Net realized loss from investments

       (9,320,806          (2,483,676  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translation

       22,883,148             10,627,894     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       13,029,065             7,471,114     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

             

Net realized capital gains:

       (2,013              
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (2,013              
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

             

Proceeds from shares sold

       16,542,077             213,199,410     

Reinvestment of distributions

       1,857                 

Shares redeemed

       (17,404,584          (7,736,181  
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

       (860,650          205,463,229     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Total increase in net assets

       12,166,402             212,934,343     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

NET ASSETS

             

Beginning of period

       212,934,343                 
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

End of period

     $ 225,100,745           $ 212,934,343     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

     $ (361,526        $ (606,391  
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

             

Shares sold

       1,675,389             20,816,801     

Shares reinvested

       180                 

Shares redeemed

       (1,680,779          (706,751  
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net increase/(decrease) in shares

       (5,210          20,110,050     
    

 

 

        

 

 

   

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

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

 

17


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the representative period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the Year        For the Period
    Ended        October 21, 2014(1)
   

August 31, 2016

       to August 31, 2015

Per Share Operating Performance

            

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 10.59            $ 10.00  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

      (0.03 )            (0.04 )

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

      0.64              0.63  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      0.61              0.59  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

            

Net realized gains

      (3)             
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

                    
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 11.20            $ 10.59  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

      5.76  %            5.90  %(5)
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $ 225,101            $ 212,934  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

      1.15  %            1.15  %(6)

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

      (0.26 )%            (0.41 )%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

      101  %            95  %(5)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

Amount represent less than $0.005 per share.

(4)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

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

 

18


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the Investment Company Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Altair Smaller Companies Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

Portfolio Valuation– The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Investments in other open-end investment companies, if any, are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Fair Value Measurements – The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

• 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.

 

19


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                   Level 2         
                   Other      Level 3  
            Level 1      Significant      Significant  
     Total Value      Quoted        Observable        Unobservable  
     at August 31, 2016      Price      Inputs      Inputs  

Investments in Securities*

   $     217,106,196       $     217,106,196       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

Use of Estimates — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s policy is to allocate investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses among classes on a daily basis, when applicable. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund

 

20


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, are declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Altair Advisers LLC (“Altair” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. Aperio Group, LLC, Driehaus Capital Management LLC, Granite Investment Partners, LLC, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC, Pier Capital LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC each serves as an investment sub-adviser (“Sub-Adviser”) to the Fund.

The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Sub-Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Sub-Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement, subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Adviser has an investment team that is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Sub-Advisers provide investment advisory services to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to them by the Adviser. The Adviser and the Fund have entered into sub-advisory agreements with the Sub-Advisers to manage the Fund, subject to supervision of the Adviser and the Board, and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions of the Fund. For their services, each Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive a fee based upon a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, which will be paid by the Fund and not by the Adviser. However, in no event will the total sub-advisory fees exceed the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2016, collectively, the Sub-Advisers earned fees of $1,730,452 or an annualized rate of 0.84%.

The Fund is currently only available to clients of the Adviser and to other investors at the Fund’s discretion. The Adviser does not receive a separate management fee from the Fund. However, pursuant to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in connection with its compliance monitoring of Fund trading, up to 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

21


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

The Adviser had previously contractually agreed to reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeded 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to reimburse expenses, the following expenses were not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation was in effect until October 20, 2015 and is no longer in effect. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Adviser earned no fees and did not waive or reimburse any fees.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $15,794. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $14,684 in officer fees.

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investment Securities

   $ 201,720,957       $ 204,310,496   

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The

 

22


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

            

Federal tax cost

   $ 184,799,178     
  

 

 

   

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 41,545,888     

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (9,238,870  
  

 

 

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 32,307,018     
  

 

 

   

Distributions to shareholders, if any, from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses and current year write-off of net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed   Accumulated    
Net Investment   Net Realized   Paid-In
Income   Gain/(Loss)   Capital
$778,142   $(435)   $(777,707)

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed   Undistributed   Capital Loss   Net Unrealized   Qualified Late-Year

Ordinary Income

  Long-Term Gains   Carryforwards   Appreciation   Losses
$—   $—   $(2,109,700)   $32,307,018   $(8,854,727)

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reportable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

There was a $2,013 long-term capital gains distributions paid during the year ended August 31, 2016.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

Late-Year   Short-Term   Long-Term
Ordinary   Capital   Capital

Loss Deferral

  Loss Deferral   Loss Deferral
$329,924   $8,524,803   $—

 

23


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

    

    

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards of $2,109,700.

6. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund though the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

24


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Altair Smaller Companies Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Altair Smaller Companies Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the for the period October 21, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

25


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable period ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund did not pay ordinary income dividends nor long-term capital gain dividends to its shareholders.

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

26


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Other Information

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6482 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered (1) the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Altair and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund and (2) the renewal of the sub-advisory agreements among Altair, the Company and each of Aperio Group, Driehaus Capital Management LLC, Granite Investment Partners, LLC, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC, Pier Capital LLC, and River Road Asset Management, LLC (collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”) (the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”), at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangements. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser and each of the Sub-Advisers with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Altair with respect to the Fund and the Sub-Advisory Agreements between Altair and each Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by Altair and each Sub-Adviser; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing those services; (iii) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ advisory fee arrangements and other similarly managed clients, as applicable; (vii) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ compliance procedures; (viii) Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ financial information and insurance coverage; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Altair and each Sub-Adviser. The Directors concluded that Altair and each Sub-Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund.

 

27


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors noted that the Fund had outperformed its primary benchmark for the one-year period ended March 31, 2016. The Directors also considered the Fund’s 1st quintile ranking within its Lipper Group for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors considered that the Fund does not pay a contractual management fee to Altair, but instead reimburses for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with its compliance monitoring of Fund trading, up to 0.01%. The Directors also considered the fees payable to each Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreements. The Directors also considered that the total fees of the Fund were in the 5th quintile of its Lipper peer group.

After reviewing the information regarding Altair’s and the Sub-Advisers’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services provided by Altair and Sub-Advisers, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to Altair and the sub-advisory fees to be paid to each Sub-Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2017.

 

28


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company Management

(Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6482.

 

Name, Address,

and Age

 

Position(s)

Held

 with Company  

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
in the Past 5

Years

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present     From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/ brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

29


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

 

Position(s)

Held

 with Company  

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
in the Past 5

Years

 

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present     Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

  Chairman Director   2005 to present
1991 to present
  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 85

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
         

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

 

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None

 

30


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held

 with Company  

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

 

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

 

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5

Years

 

OFFICERS

 

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance LLC

Gateway Corporate

Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

   President Chief Compliance Officer     

2009 to present

2004 to present  

   Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).    N/A    N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 55

   Treasurer and Secretary    2016 to present    From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.    N/A    N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance LLC

Gateway Corporate

Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

   Assistant Treasurer    2016 to present    Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).    N/A    N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

   Assistant Treasurer    2016 to present    Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).    N/A    N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

   Assistant Secretary    2016 to present    Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present)    N/A    N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 59

   Assistant Secretary    1999 to present    Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).    N/A    N/A

 

*

Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

31


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS    

 

WHAT DOES THE ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION?

 

 

Why?

 

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information may include:
    Social Security number
    account balances
    account transactions
    transaction history
    wire transfer instructions
    checking account information
   

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How?

 

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Altair Smaller Companies Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information      

 

Does the Altair Smaller

Companies Fund Share?

 

 

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 

 

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your

account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations,

or report to credit bureaus

 

     

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

      Yes  

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

      Yes  

No

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

      Yes  

No

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

      No  

We don’t share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

      No  

We don’t share

 

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

     

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 1-844-261-6482

 

 

32


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

What we do     
How does the Altair Smaller    To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we
    Companies Fund protect my    use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures
    personal information?    include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Altair Smaller    We collect your personal information, for example, when you
    Companies Fund collect my   

•  open an account

    personal information?   

•  provide account information

    

•  give us your contact information

    

•  make a wire transfer

    

•  tell us where to send the money

     We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
Why can’t I limit all sharing?                 Federal law gives you the right to limit only
     •  sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
     •  affiliates from using your information to market to you
     •  sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
     State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
Definitions     
Affiliates    Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
     •  Our affiliates include Altair Advisers LLC, the investment adviser to the Altair Smaller Companies Fund.
Nonaffiliates    Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
     •  Altair Smaller Companies Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
Joint marketing    A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
    

•  Altair Smaller Companies Fund may share your information with other financial institutions with whom they have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investments products which may be of interest to you. We do not currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions.

 

 

33


Investment Adviser

Altair Advisers LLC

303 West Madison Street, Suite 600

Chicago, IL 60606

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square

2001 Market Street, Suite 1800

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

ALT-AR16


 

 

BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP

GROWTH FUND

of THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISERS REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Fellow Shareholder:

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) Investor Class of shares returned +4.29% and the Institutional Class of shares returned +4.37%, both net of fees, underperforming the unmanaged Russell 2000® Index of small cap stocks (the “Benchmark”), which returned +8.59%. The Fund’s periodic returns and returns since inception are shown in the charts on pages five and six (returns are calculated as the growth of the dollar value of a minimum investment made at the inception of the Fund, compared to the same investment in the Benchmark). The following sections of this letter will provide background on the market environment, performance attribution, Fund characteristics as of its fiscal year end, and a Bogle Investment Management, L.P. business update.

Market Environment. U.S. small cap equity markets, as measured by the Benchmark, delivered positive performance for the fiscal year, despite a -20% drawdown from December 2015 through mid-February 2016. Markets were fairly volatile to begin the fiscal year, with the Benchmark down almost -5% in September 2015 before a strong rebound from October through November. From December 2015 through mid-February 2016, the Benchmark lost more than -20% of its value with a weakening economic outlook in the United States dominating the headlines. Sentiment changed in mid-February as worries of slowing growth abated with the release of surprisingly healthy employment indicators. The Benchmark then began a fairly steady climb that continued for the rest of the fiscal year, recovering earlier losses and ending the fiscal year up more than +8%. The market rally was encouraged by dovish commentary from the U.S. Federal Reserve hinting that interest rates might remain lower for longer. Although markets initially dropped steeply on the surprising news of the U.K. referendum results in favor of “Brexit,” the Benchmark rallied strongly to erase losses in the ensuing days and continued to rise quite steadily through the end of the fiscal year.

Amid greater market volatility that characterized the first half of the fiscal year, investors tended to favor more stable large cap stocks over more volatile small cap stocks. Preferences changed as the market started to rally in February with small cap stocks topping large for most of the rest of the fiscal year. Overall, large cap stocks still outperformed small cap stocks for the fiscal year with the Russell 1000® Index of large cap stocks, outperforming the Russell 2000® Index of small cap stocks (up +11.69% versus +8.59%). For the fiscal year, investors showed a preference for value over growth as the Russell 2000® Value Index outperformed the Russell 2000® Growth Index by over ten percentage points (up +13.80% versus +3.55%). Despite episodic market volatility, for the fiscal year overall the volatilities of the Fund and the Benchmark were below their longer-term measures. This low volatility environment, indicative of investor complacency, was reflected by the VIX® Index of implied, expected market volatility, which spent much of 2016 near historic lows.

Performance Attribution. We delivered disappointing results in our management of the Fund during fiscal year 2016. The Fund’s Investor Class of shares underperformed the Benchmark by -4.30%, net of all fees, and the Institutional Class of shares underperformed by -4.22%, net of all fees. Because the Fund holds very little cash and does not tend to have large active sector bets, the majority of our performance relative to Benchmark is typically attributed to “stock selection.” Last year was unusual in that one of our factor exposures, our exposure to companies with expected earnings growth rates that are higher than the Benchmark, played a larger role, if only slightly, than stock selection. In rough terms they each contributed approximately -2% to our underperformance.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence.

 

1


The Fund’s relative performance in comparison to the Benchmark was fairly volatile over the fiscal year. From the start of the fiscal year through January 2016, the Fund underperformed the Benchmark by approximately -4%. Over the next three months, the Fund performed strongly, but struggled again over the final four months of the fiscal year to finish more than -4% behind the Benchmark. Specific stocks with large negative contributions were NewLink Genetics Corp., NLNK, Community Health Systems Inc., CYH and Skechers USA, Inc., SKX. Stocks with positive contributions include Coeur Mining, Inc., CDE, EZCORP, Inc., EZPW, and Cash America International, Inc., CSH.

In addition to stock selection and common factor exposures, we also evaluate the effectiveness of individual components, or models, that form our investment process. The investment process combines insights derived from a rigorous and systematic analysis of fundamental financial data with distinctly different signals that measure non-fundamental, often shorter-term data. As we’ve described previously, this combination of signals can be thought of, conceptually, as the exploitation of investment opportunities created, primarily, by stocks with attractive fundamental financial characteristics whose appeal hasn’t yet been fully appreciated by the market, and secondarily, by opportunistically trading into or out of these securities when market data indicate that there is a statistical probability that their current prices will either revert toward, or start to diverge from, their short-term equilibrium price levels. Our fundamental models tend to work best when markets are focused more on discriminating between similar stocks than on broader macroeconomic themes that tend to result in investors moving into or out of groups or portfolios of stocks in unison. During these environments, our non-fundamental signals are designed to try to add value by finding both a greater number of opportunities from, and greater likelihood of investment success with, short-term price movements caused by structurally-driven trading. Consistent with model tendencies, different models contributed at different time periods during the fiscal year. The fundamental models were effective at adding value as the markets calmed after the spikes of volatility and prices began to better reflect individual stocks’ longer-term characteristics. Within the fundamental model, the Fund’s exposure to stocks that exhibited better potential for earnings growth relative to peers detracted the most as investors favored more value oriented stocks over the period. Our non-fundamental models contributed positively when market volatility spiked up and the models found trading opportunities to be rewarded for providing liquidity to aggressive traders, but the contributions from these opportunities, in aggregate, were insufficient to overcome the negative contributions from other parts of the model.

This is our second consecutive year of underperforming the Benchmark, and the cumulative amount by which we’ve underperformed is the second worst we’ve experienced (the worst being summer 2007 through fall 2008). As we’ve said in the past, during these difficult periods the best thing we can do is usually nothing. (Or as we like to say — “Don’t just do something, stand there!”) While the temptation to make changes to the investment process is greatest during periods of poor performance, our experience has confirmed that it’s better to wait for a rebound. Often times, poor performance is caused and, moreover, worsened, by the selling pressure of other investors who give up on their convictions because they lack the emotional fortitude to stick it out. Joining them only lessens the opportunity to earn back our performance. As such, we tend to make the most significant model changes when performance has been strong, not weak. While our investment process is designed with an objective of providing consistent excess returns compared to our Benchmark, we have enough experience and perspective to know that we are going to experience bouts of underperformance. In the past, market conditions unfavorable to our investment approach have always proven to be temporary, providing good opportunities to earn compelling returns when conditions become more favorable. This is not to suggest we are sitting on our hands when times are tough. To the contrary, our research program continues to uncover and evaluate new ideas, some of which will ultimately make their way into our models (most do not) after a long and rigorous testing and evaluation period.

 

2


Fund Characteristics. As of the end of the 2016 fiscal year, the Fund held 207 stocks, with the largest position representing 1.70% of net assets. As shown in the table to the right, the Fund looks similar to its investable universe across a variety of fundamental characteristics. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund’s median market capitalization was smaller than its investable universe. The Fund’s median price-to-sales ratio was also below its investable universe, reflecting the influence of our relative valuation model.

The Fund’s annualized active volatility (the variability of the difference between Fund and Benchmark performance, also called “tracking error”) was 7.3% in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, slightly above the Fund’s since inception measure of 6.8%. The Fund’s beta with the Benchmark, at approximately 1.15, was also slightly higher than its long-term average.

Self-Assessment. Each year we try to take a hard, objective look at how well we have performed for you, both in investment results and the quality of service the Fund’s operations team provides. We deserve a poor mark for our fiscal 2016 investment performance, as we underperformed the Benchmark for a second consecutive year. While we have provided an

 

FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

Median

   BOGLX*      Investable
Universe
 

Market Cap ($mil.)

     $1,447         $3,639   

Price/Historical Earnings

     21.0x         22.2x   

Price/Forward Earnings

     17.6x         19.4x   

Price/Sales

     1.8x         2.1x   
* The Fund’s Investor Shares. Median characteristics refer to the Fund’s holdings, not the Fund itself.    

 

RISK STATISTICS*

FISCAL YEAR PERIOD

 

Measurement

   BOGLX      Russell
2000®
Index
 

Standard Deviation

     23.1%         19.2%   

Active Volatility

     7.3%        

Beta with Russell 2000® Index

     1.15        
* Risk statistics apply to the Fund and Benchmark. Standard deviation is a statistical measure of the range of performance. Active risk is the standard deviation of the difference between the Fund and Benchmark performance. Beta is a measure of a portfolio’s sensitivity to market movements.       
 

attribution for poor performance, we make no excuses. As a firm we exist to do one thing — to beat the market. If we didn’t have a strong conviction that we could beat the market, we’d return your investment capital (and our own — we have almost all of our own investment capital in our own funds) and pack up and go home. We have an experienced team of professionals who’ve worked together for many years, we focus on one core investment approach, and we strictly control the amount of capital we’ll accept to limit the erosion of our investment insights that inevitably comes from an asset base that’s too large. We believe we have all the most important elements required to deliver attractive long-term returns. We hope that our perspective and confidence in our ability to add value for you, our fellow shareholders, is helpful in instilling in you that same level of confidence.

Long-term performance remains strong — as of the end of this fiscal year, the Fund has beaten the Benchmark by approximately 2.9%, per year, since the inception of the Fund almost 17 years ago (the Fund has returned +10.8% per year compared with the Benchmark’s return of +7.9% per year). These results translate to a cumulative net return of +465% for the Fund’s Investor Class of shares, compared with the +263% cumulative return of the Benchmark.

While investment results are the focus of your investor experience with us, our shareholder and investor services are important as well. We continue to work with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., giving them feedback that we have received from you as well as feedback from us directly based on our own experiences as fellow shareholders. We continue to encourage you to let us know how we can improve your shareholder experience.

Progress at Bogle Investment Management. At the end of August 2016, net assets in the Fund were $129 million. Our investment team remains unchanged; the same five analysts we have always had continue to work together coming up with new ideas for improving our investment process. We appreciate you staying the course with your investments during this recent period of difficult performance. We remain confident that our investment models will again rebound, hopefully soon and strongly, and that you will be rewarded for your patience and long-term perspective.

 

3


More information about the Fund, including sector allocation, fundamental characteristics, and top ten holdings, can be viewed on our website, www.boglefunds.com. Net asset values are updated daily while other Fund information is updated quarterly. Fund information is also available on Morningstar.com and other internet-based financial data providers. We thank you for your ongoing support and, moreover, for the trust and confidence you have placed in us.

Respectfully,

Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

Management Office: 781-283-5000

Shareholder Services Toll Free: 1-877-BOGLEIM (264-5346)

 

The Fund’s investment adviser, Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items) exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The Adviser, in its discretion, has the right to extend this waiver. The total expense ratios for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, prior to fee waivers, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 1.35% and 1.45%, respectively.

The Russell 2000® Index is an index of stocks 1001 through 3000 in the Russell 3000® Index as ranked by total market capitalization. A direct investment in the index is not possible. The Russell® Indexes are a trademark of the Frank Russell Company (“FRC”). FRC is the owner of the copyrights relating to the Russell Indexes and is the source of the Performance Values for the Russell Indexes.

Investing in small companies can involve more volatility, less liquidity and less available information than investing in large companies. The Fund may invest in undervalued securities which may not appreciate in value as anticipated or remain undervalued for long periods of time.

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Fund are subject to investment risk.

 

4


COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT IN BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND INSTITUTIONAL CLASS(1)(2) VS. RUSSELL 2000® INDEX (UNAUDITED)

 

LOGO

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, is 1.35% for the Institutional Class prior to fee waivers.

 

(1) The chart and table assume a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 1, 1999 (inception) and reflect Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(2) The Adviser waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense limitation as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waivers and reimbursements of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

(3) For the period October 1, 1999 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

 

5


COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF $10,000 INVESTMENT IN BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND INVESTOR CLASS(1)(2) VS. RUSSELL 2000® INDEX (UNAUDITED)

 

LOGO

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, is 1.45% for the Investor Class prior to fee waivers.

 

(1) The chart and table assume a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 1, 1999 (inception) and reflect Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(2) The Adviser waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense limitation as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waivers and reimbursements of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

(3) For the period October 1, 1999 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

 

6


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, shareholder servicing fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line of the accompanying tables 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 the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying tables 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.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH  1, 2016
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST  31, 2016
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,188.40         $ 6.88   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.85           6.34   
     INVESTOR CLASS  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH  1, 2016
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST  31, 2016
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,188.00         $ 7.42   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.35           6.85   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.25% for the Institutional Class and 1.35% for the Investor Class, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total investment return for each class of 18.84% for the Institutional Class and 18.80% for the Investor Class.

 

7


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a summary by security type of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

SECURITY TYPE & SECTOR CLASSIFICATION      OF NET
ASSETS
       VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS:

         

Finance

       23.4%         $ 30,291,738   

Electronic Technology

       11.1           14,345,507   

Health Technology

       10.4           13,432,049   

Technology Services

       8.1           10,516,365   

Producer Manufacturing

       7.2           9,355,022   

Process Industries

       6.7           8,627,860   

Consumer Durables

       5.7           7,350,058   

Consumer Services

       4.5           5,771,676   

Retail Trade

       4.0           5,180,381   

Health Services

       4.0           5,159,894   

Commercial Services

       3.1           4,061,699   

Non-Energy Minerals

       2.6           3,313,969   

Energy Minerals

       1.8           2,346,730   

Distribution Services

       1.7           2,189,588   

Consumer Non-Durables

       1.3           1,744,633   

Transportation

       1.1           1,436,964   

Communications

       0.7           941,107   

Utilities

       0.3           384,270   

Industrial Services

       0.1           107,132   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT

       2.1           2,683,516   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

       0.1           170,963   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0%         $ 129,411,121   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

 

8


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS—97.8%

  

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES—3.1%

  

 

Bankrate, Inc. *

    22,850      $ 179,144   

Civeo Corp. *

    87,157        100,231   

Ennis, Inc.

    13,891        230,313   

Etsy, Inc. *

    25,546        343,849   

Groupon, Inc. *

    178,825        953,137   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    23,349        987,196   

Quad/Graphics, Inc.

    3,457        93,650   

Realogy Holdings Corp.

    38,266        1,027,059   

RetailMeNot, Inc. *

    13,008        147,120   
   

 

 

 
      4,061,699   
   

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS—0.7%

  

 

ShoreTel, Inc. *

    117,345        941,107   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DURABLES—5.7%

  

 

CLARCOR, Inc.

    11,014        721,087   

Fitbit, Inc., Class A *

    66,036        1,022,237   

HRG Group, Inc. *

    52,781        853,469   

iRobot Corp. *

    32,309        1,287,837   

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    15,892        834,012   

Libbey, Inc.

    21,236        376,514   

Scientific Games Corp., Class A *

    137,869        1,137,419   

Universal Electronics, Inc. *

    15,095        1,117,483   
   

 

 

 
      7,350,058   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-DURABLES—1.3%

  

 

Central Garden & Pet Co. *

    13,879        356,413   

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A *

    22,022        534,034   

Leucadia National Corp.

    44,605        854,186   
   

 

 

 
      1,744,633   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER SERVICES—4.5%

  

 

American Public Education, Inc. *

    1,802        37,247   

Ascent Capital Group, Inc., Class A *

    7,318        169,851   

H&R Block, Inc.

    37,470        811,600   

International Game Technology PLC

    45,236        1,032,738   

K12, Inc. *

    23,818        284,625   

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    54,652        1,137,308   

MoneyGram International, Inc. *

    60,296        438,352   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., SP ADR *

    21,233        838,279   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

CONSUMER SERVICES—(CONTINUED)

  

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. *

    8,743      $ 105,266   

Service Corp. International

    34,660        916,410   
   

 

 

 
      5,771,676   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES—1.7%

  

 

HD Supply Holdings, Inc. *

    24,977        901,919   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    85,311        1,251,512   

US Foods Holding Corp. *

    1,491        36,157   
   

 

 

 
      2,189,588   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY—11.1%

  

 

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd. *

    3,637        76,632   

Amkor Technology, Inc. *

    151,978        1,383,000   

Brooks Automation, Inc.

    8,844        111,523   

Cirrus Logic, Inc. *

    20,469        1,038,802   

Eastman Kodak Co. *

    26,026        403,143   

Entegris, Inc. *

    61,583        1,049,374   

Exar Corp. *

    10,617        96,615   

Fabrinet *

    5,723        222,167   

FARO Technologies, Inc. *

    8,586        279,904   

Finisar Corp. *

    60,715        1,285,944   

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. *

    1,276        15,605   

MaxLinear, Inc., Class A *

    61,552        1,179,952   

Nanometrics, Inc. *

    8,426        171,385   

Orbotech Ltd. *

    44,079        1,259,778   

Qorvo, Inc. *

    829        47,609   

Rudolph Technologies, Inc. *

    6,327        110,976   

Silicon Laboratories, Inc. *

    21,571        1,236,018   

Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR

    17,061        861,239   

Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd., SP ADR

    24,361        179,297   

Sonus Networks, Inc. *

    131,093        1,130,022   

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. *

    2,117        24,324   

Synaptics, Inc. *

    1,535        87,449   

Teradyne, Inc.

    47,510        1,000,561   

Ultratech, Inc. *

    43,750        1,094,188   
   

 

 

 
      14,345,507   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY MINERALS—1.8%

  

 

Enerplus Corp.

    11,952        83,186   

QEP Resources, Inc.

    52,053        994,212   

Resolute Energy Corp. *

    75,064        1,269,332   
   

 

 

 
      2,346,730   
   

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

9


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

FINANCE—23.4%

  

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. *

    60,068      $ 1,089,634   

Assurant, Inc.

    10,956        981,110   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    37,189        1,032,739   

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA, Class E

    23,152        668,861   

Cardinal Financial Corp.

    9,799        263,103   

Cash America International, Inc.

    1,172        51,017   

CenterState Banks, Inc.

    16,388        294,656   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    46,107        1,179,878   

East West Bancorp, Inc.

    27,552        1,023,281   

Enova International, Inc. *

    31,366        300,800   

Essent Group Ltd. *

    41,062        1,091,428   

EZCORP, Inc., Class A *

    211,988        2,194,076   

First BanCorp Puerto Rico *

    268,389        1,315,106   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    3,745        1,066,988   

First Defiance Financial Corp.

    12,782        581,453   

First Horizon National Corp.

    49,402        759,803   

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

    3,659        112,478   

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

    13,648        267,091   

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. *

    4,010        112,601   

FNFV Group *

    38,277        493,391   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    320,611        1,516,490   

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.

    33,420        1,144,301   

Green Dot Corp., Class A *

    13,319        309,001   

Hanmi Financial Corp.

    43,601        1,143,654   

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

    27,287        991,064   

Herc Holdings, Inc. *

    13,145        444,432   

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    11,347        155,681   

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. *

    25,234        1,243,027   

Hilltop Holdings, Inc. *

    32,273        730,661   

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

    85,347        1,045,501   

KCG Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    2,170        31,357   

LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc.

    21,995        667,108   

McGrath RentCorp

    38,239        1,222,501   

OFG Bancorp

    62,123        677,762   

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. *

    19,988        539,476   

Popular, Inc.

    33,508        1,317,199   

Union Bankshares Corp.

    41,906        1,166,244   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

FINANCE—(CONTINUED)

  

 

Virtu Financial, Inc., Class A

    38,213      $ 623,254   

Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd., ADR

    72,591        443,531   
   

 

 

 
      30,291,738   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH SERVICES—4.0%

  

 

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. *

    10,101        63,636   

Community Health Systems, Inc. *

    93,288        996,316   

HMS Holdings Corp. *

    66,617        1,452,917   

INC Research Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    24,572        1,072,076   

Quorum Health Corp. *

    77,382        475,899   

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. *

    9,752        1,099,050   
   

 

 

 
      5,159,894   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY—10.4%

  

 

Accuray, Inc. *

    67,423        359,365   

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,482        4,046   

Bio-Techne Corp.

    5,338        562,358   

BioTelemetry, Inc. *

    13,073        241,458   

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. *

    1,190        29,119   

Cepheid, Inc. *

    30,978        1,063,165   

Chimerix, Inc. *

    32,517        156,407   

China Biologic Products, Inc. *

    9,323        1,025,903   

Cynosure, Inc., Class A *

    6,502        338,689   

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. *

    31,901        850,162   

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    5,356        117,778   

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. *

    26,952        1,185,349   

Foundation Medicine, Inc. *

    7,997        164,098   

Genomic Health, Inc. *

    37,962        1,004,854   

Glaukos Corp. *

    37,851        1,129,474   

Haemonetics Corp. *

    32,129        1,193,914   

Heska Corp. *

    3,502        191,104   

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    480        730   

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    27,668        384,032   

Masimo Corp. *

    561        33,178   

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. *

    13,003        315,193   

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. *

    1,512        18,477   

Natus Medical, Inc. *

    13,015        506,414   

NewLink Genetics Corp. *

    16,297        165,903   

Nuvectra Corp. *

    4,332        29,674   

OraSure Technologies, Inc. *

    104,486        895,445   
 

 

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

 

10


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY—(CONTINUED)

  

 

Orthofix International N.V. *

    17,551      $ 791,726   

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    33,661        113,438   

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    254        1,349   

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    19,850        424,393   

Syneron Medical Ltd. *

    8,504        55,786   

Xencor, Inc. *

    3,742        79,068   
   

 

 

 
      13,432,049   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES—0.1%

  

 

CARBO Ceramics, Inc.

    8,550        107,132   
   

 

 

 

NON-ENERGY MINERALS—2.6%

  

 

Coeur Mining, Inc. *

    131,497        1,675,272   

Gerdau SA, SP ADR

    143,221        395,290   

Gold Resource Corp.

    35,971        187,769   

Richmont Mines, Inc. *

    9,902        83,078   

Silver Standard Resources, Inc. *

    44,847        525,607   

Ternium SA, SP ADR

    6,248        124,960   

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

    2,950        321,993   
   

 

 

 
      3,313,969   
   

 

 

 

PROCESS INDUSTRIES—6.7%

  

 

Avery Dennison Corp.

    10,744        832,015   

Cabot Corp.

    21,236        1,058,827   

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.

    22,429        1,115,170   

Chemours Co., (The)

    80,869        1,066,662   

Cosan Ltd., Class A

    167,494        1,179,158   

Lydall, Inc. *

    884        42,467   

Stepan Co.

    17,161        1,205,732   

Trinseo SA

    24,986        1,445,690   

Tronox Ltd., Class A

    74,714        682,139   
   

 

 

 
      8,627,860   
   

 

 

 

PRODUCER MANUFACTURING—7.2%

  

 

ACCO Brands Corp. *

    3,244        32,440   

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    4,099        113,706   

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

    8,970        252,954   

Astec Industries, Inc.

    11,469        674,255   

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

    7,888        827,136   

Chart Industries, Inc. *

    36,296        1,093,236   

Continental Building Products, Inc. *

    49,199        1,092,710   

Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc. *

    1,300        128,765   

Energy Recovery, Inc. *

    6,029        72,830   

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

    6,153        235,352   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc. *

    1,326        50,600   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

PRODUCER MANUFACTURING—(CONTINUED)

  

Hubbell, Inc.

    7,988      $ 865,180   

ITT, Inc.

    2,000        72,360   

Knoll, Inc.

    26,884        711,351   

NCI Building Systems, Inc. *

    52,742        798,514   

Rexnord Corp. *

    44,278        978,987   

Spartan Motors, Inc.

    3,979        39,233   

SPX FLOW, Inc. *

    40,979        1,205,192   

Superior Industries International, Inc.

    1,996        58,104   

Supreme Industries, Inc., Class A

    3,023        52,117   
   

 

 

 
      9,355,022   
   

 

 

 

RETAIL TRADE—4.0%

  

 

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. *

    14,875        166,451   

Burlington Stores, Inc. *

    11,441        929,238   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    47,424        1,141,496   

FTD Cos., Inc. *

    47,645        1,119,658   

Murphy USA, Inc. *

    14,716        1,076,034   

Tailored Brands, Inc.

    56,715        747,504   
   

 

 

 
      5,180,381   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES—8.1%

  

 

Apigee Corp. *

    3,129        47,905   

Barracuda Networks, Inc. *

    3,544        82,221   

Box, Inc., Class A *

    82,873        1,138,675   

ChannelAdvisor Corp. *

    22,241        276,900   

CSRA, Inc.

    2,559        64,973   

DHI Group, Inc. *

    14,782        114,413   

EarthLink Holdings Corp.

    36,682        233,664   

Hortonworks, Inc. *

    19,185        152,904   

Intralinks Holdings, Inc. *

    7,170        68,402   

LogMeIn, Inc.

    13,317        1,111,970   

MeetMe, Inc. *

    175,251        1,009,446   

MINDBODY, Inc., Class A *

    60,767        1,054,307   

Monotype Imaging Holdings, Inc.

    15,598        329,118   

Nuance Communications, Inc. *

    68,515        998,949   

Progress Software Corp. *

    14,941        433,438   

Qualys, Inc. *

    31,819        1,094,574   

Rubicon Project, Inc., (The) *

    68,668        583,678   

Shutterfly, Inc. *

    2,006        100,741   

TriNet Group, Inc. *

    25,187        528,927   

Unisys Corp. *

    37,700        380,770   

Web.com Group, Inc. *

    32,166        561,618   

Xactly Corp. *

    10,680        148,772   
   

 

 

 
      10,516,365   
   

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

11


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

TRANSPORTATION—1.1%

  

 

JetBlue Airways Corp. *

    7,400      $ 118,030   

Landstar System, Inc.

    15,280        1,057,834   

YRC Worldwide, Inc. *

    22,528        261,100   
   

 

 

 
      1,436,964   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES—0.3%

  

 

Pampa Energia SA, SP ADR *

    15,334        384,270   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $121,801,313)

   

 

 

126,556,642

  

   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT—2.1%

  

 

Dreyfus Cash Management, Institutional Shares

    2,683,516        2,683,516   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
(Cost $2,683,516)

   

 

 

2,683,516

  

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—99.9%
(Cost $124,484,829)

   

    129,240,158   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—0.1%

   

    170,963   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

  

  $ 129,411,121   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.

ADR—American Depository Receipt.

PLC—Public Limited Company.

SP ADR—Sponsored American Depository Receipt.

 

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

 

12


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $124,484,829)

   $ 129,240,158   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     11,449,910   

Capital shares sold

     23,842   

Dividends and interest

     78,572   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     15,836   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     140,808,318   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     11,128,707   

Investment advisory fees and shareholder servicing fees

     109,954   

Capital shares redeemed

     40,039   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     118,497   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     11,397,197   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 129,411,121   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 4,859   

Paid-in capital

     133,644,921   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (418,917

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (8,575,071

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     4,755,329   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 129,411,121   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 57,179,851   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,117,861   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 27.00   
  

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 72,231,270   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,741,395   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 26.35   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $15,222)

   $ 1,079,494   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,079,494   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     1,445,851   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     219,561   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     170,330   

Shareholder servicing fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

     76,299   

Professional fees

     50,074   

Registration and filing fees

     44,417   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     44,331   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     43,306   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     27,700   

Insurance fees

     11,437   

Other expenses

     3,323   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     2,136,629   

Less: waivers

     (253,016
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     1,883,613   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (804,119
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized loss from investments

     (7,938,156

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     12,424,986   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     4,486,830   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,682,711   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2016
     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment loss

   $ (804,119    $ (1,188,653

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     (7,938,156      26,788,339   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     12,424,986         (46,136,365
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     3,682,711         (20,536,679
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

     

Net realized capital gains

     

Institutional Class

     (10,939,694      (13,849,300

Investor Class

     (11,919,482      (13,815,545
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (22,859,176      (27,664,845
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS DERIVED FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     6,165,268         19,079,419   

Reinvestment of distributions

     10,728,856         13,556,406   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (38,278,961      (38,571,504
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Institutional Class

     (21,384,837      (5,935,679

Investor Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     3,273,217         19,241,414   

Reinvestment of distributions

     11,325,577         13,118,025   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (24,893,410      (32,546,993
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Investor Class

     (10,294,616      (187,554
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (31,679,453      (6,123,233
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

     (50,855,918      (54,324,757

NET ASSETS:

     

Beginning of year

     180,267,039         234,591,796   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 129,411,121       $ 180,267,039   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $ (418,917    $ (411,281
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

15


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONCLUDED)

 

     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2016
     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
 

DECREASE IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Class

     

Shares sold

     245,541         585,082   

Shares reinvested

     419,916         437,753   

Shares redeemed

     (1,484,001      (1,183,973
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Institutional Class

     (818,544      (161,138
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

     

Shares sold

     134,056         586,070   

Shares reinvested

     453,931         431,968   

Shares redeemed

     (981,899      (998,233
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Investor Class

     (393,912      19,805   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total decrease in shares outstanding derived from share transactions

     (1,212,456      (141,333
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

16


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/16
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/15
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/14
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 30.00      $ 38.07       $ 29.49      $ 21.76      $ 19.38   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)*

    (0.13     (0.18      (0.23     0.10        (0.04

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

    1.21        (3.09      8.87        7.63        2.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1.08        (3.27      8.64        7.73        2.38   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

                   (0.06              

Net realized capital gain

    (4.08     (4.80                      
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (4.08     (4.80      (0.06              
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 27.00      $ 30.00       $ 38.07      $ 29.49      $ 21.76   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

    4.37     (8.99 )%       29.34     35.52     12.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 57,180      $ 88,086       $ 117,923      $ 98,898      $ 48,526   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

    1.25     1.25 %       1.25     1.25     1.25

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(2)

    1.42     1.35 %       1.32     1.39     1.51

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

    (0.50 )%      (0.53 )%       (0.66 )%      0.37     (0.21 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    380.45     196.15 %       175.06     237.59     288.88

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

(1) 

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

 

(2) 

During the period, certain fees were waived and/or reimbursed. If such fee waivers and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated (See Note 2).

 

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

 

17


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    INVESTOR CLASS  
    FOR THE
YEAR

ENDED
8/31/16
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/15
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/14
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 29.40      $ 37.45       $ 29.00      $ 21.42      $ 19.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)*

    (0.15     (0.21      (0.26     0.07        (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
from investments

    1.18        (3.04      8.74        7.51        2.39   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1.03        (3.25      8.48        7.58        2.32   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

                   (0.03              

Net realized capital gain

    (4.08     (4.80                      
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (4.08     (4.80      (0.03              
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 26.35      $ 29.40       $ 37.45      $ 29.00      $ 21.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

    4.29     (9.09 )%       29.28     35.39     12.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 72,231      $ 92,181       $ 116,669      $ 77,584      $ 58,011   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

    1.35     1.35 %       1.35     1.35     1.35

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(2)

    1.52     1.45 %       1.43     1.49     1.60

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

    (0.60 )%      (0.63 )%       (0.76 )%      0.27     (0.36 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    380.45     196.15 %       175.06     237.59     288.88

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

(1) 

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

 

(2) 

During the period, certain fees were waived and/or reimbursed. If such fee waivers and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated (See Note 2).

 

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

 

18


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on October 1, 1999. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund offers two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by RBB’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  • 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, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

      Total
Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS*

     $129,240,158         $129,240,158         $                    —         $                    —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments for detail on portfolio holdings.

 

19


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund that require disclosure.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund’s net investment income (other than class specific shareholder servicing fees) and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, will be declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

20


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser” or “Bogle”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.25% and 1.35%, as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2016.

The contractual fee waiver does not provide for recoupment of fees that were waived or expenses that were reimbursed. For the year ended August 31, 2016, investment advisory fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS
ADVISORY FEES
    WAIVERS     NET
ADVISORY FEES
 
$ 1,445,851      $ 234,943      $ 1,210,908   

The Fund will not pay the Adviser at a later time for any amounts waived or any amounts assumed.

In addition to serving as the Fund’s investment adviser, Bogle provides certain shareholder services to the Investor Class of the Fund. As compensation for such services, the Adviser receives a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

BNY Mellon has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its administration and accounting fees for the Fund. For the year ended August 31, 2016, administration and accounting fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
    WAIVERS     NET ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
 
$ 219,561      $ 18,073      $ 201,488   

 

21


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors, LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

The Fund will not pay The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation or any of its members or BNY Mellon’s affiliates at a later time for any amounts waived or any amounts assumed.

 

3. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer, meeting fees and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $13,619. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $13,753 in officer fees.

 

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES  
PURCHASES     SALES  
$ 547,697,632      $ 604,980,668   

 

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

FEDERAL TAX
COST
    UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
    NET UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
 
$ 125,864,221      $ 9,503,167      $ (6,127,230   $ 3,375,937   

 

22


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET  INVESTMENT
INCOME/(LOSS)

   

ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN/(LOSS)

   

PAID-IN
CAPITAL

 
$ 796,483      $ (29,367   $ (767,116

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD
    UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY INCOME
    UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM  GAINS
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
    QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR LOSS
DEFERRAL
 
$ (3,655,064   $      $      $ 3,375,937      $ (3,959,532

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 

      ORDINARY
INCOME
    LONG-TERM
GAINS
 
  2016      $ 3,127      $ 22,856,049   
  2015        11,234,768        16,430,077   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

LATE-YEAR
ORDINARY
LOSS  DEFERRAL

   

SHORT-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS DEFERRAL

   

LONG-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS DEFERRAL

 
$ 418,917      $ 1,570,778      $ 1,969,837   

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law.

As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had capital losses of $3,655,064 of which $288,004 are long-term capital losses and $3,367,060 are short-term capital losses. The capital losses can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

 

23


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)

 

 

6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

24


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

25


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $3,127 of ordinary income dividends to its shareholders and paid $22,856,049 of long-term capital gains dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend tax rate is 100.00%.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00%.

The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distributions as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

26


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 264-5346 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Bogle and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Bogle with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Bogle’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Bogle’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Bogle’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Bogle’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Bogle’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Bogle’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Bogle’s compliance procedures; (viii) Bogle’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s advisory fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Benchmark.

 

 

27


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

OTHER INFORMATION (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Bogle. The Directors concluded that Bogle had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that Bogle’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Bogle. The Directors noted that each class of the Fund had outperformed the Fund’s primary benchmark for the since inception, and three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2016. The Directors noted that the investment performance of the Fund was above the median within its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe for the four- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2015.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) was compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the contractual advisory fees of the Fund were equal to the peer group median, and the actual advisory fees of the Fund were slightly lower than the peer group median. In addition, the Directors noted that Bogle has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Bogle’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2017.

 

28


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT

(UNAUDITED)

 

Directors and Executive Officers

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 264-5346.

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time  Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
    Other
Directorships
Held by Director
in the Past
5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).     24      AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.     24      None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).     24      Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.     24      Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).     24      None

 

29


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time  Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
    Other
Directorships
Held by Director
in the Past
5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).     24      Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).     24      Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).     24      None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,
CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).     N/A      N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

  2016 to present   From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.     N/A      N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  2016 to present   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (Registered Investment Company).     N/A      N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).     N/A      N/A

 

30


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time  Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
    Other
Directorships
Held by Director
in the Past
5 Years
OFFICERS

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

  Assistant Secretary   2016 to present   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present).     N/A      N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).     N/A      N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

31


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES THE BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences   Yes   No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (877) 264-5346 or go to www.boglefunds.com

 

32


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Fund may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund does not jointly market.

 

33


Investment Adviser

Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

2310 Washington Street

Suite 310

Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

BOG-AR16


LOGO

 


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

Table of Contents

 

General Market Commentary

     1   

Fund Expense Examples

     24   

Portfolio Holdings Summary Tables

     26   

Portfolio of Investments

     28   

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     64   

Statements of Operations

     66   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     68   

Financial Highlights

     72   

Notes to Financial Statements

     76   

Other Information

     92   

Privacy Notice

     96   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

GENERAL MARKET COMMENTARY

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the S&P 500 Index returned 12.55%, which would be considered a middling yearly return going back to 2010 (FY returns). Leading S&P 500 sectors for this period were Communications up 24.6%, REITS up 22.3%%, Capital Goods up 20.7%, Technology up 17.2%, and Utilities up 13.2%. Lagging sectors were Healthcare up 4.8%, Transports up 6.7% and Consumer Durables up 6.3%. At the end of the period, investor sentiment continues to deal with the lackluster performance out of the European economies, the ongoing slowdown in China and the subsequent persistently low commodity prices, and aggressive monetary easing policies by central banks around the world, which have all capped-off another tumultuous year for investors.

During Q4 2015 and early into 2016, the market was largely driven by the so called FANG stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google) within the Consumer Services sector and within the internet services segment of the Communications sector. By the end of Q1, investors had largely rotated out of the FANG stocks that led in 2015 and had aggressively pursued what are now called the RUST (REITS, Utilities, Staples and Telecoms) stocks. Namely, these are yield stocks that are perceived to be safe. During this period, especially from March 2016 until August 2016, these stocks became very crowded and became historically expensive on absolute and relative terms.

During the first two months of 2016, stocks traded down almost 12% largely on China hard landing fears with many speculating that a hard landing would spread and impact both Europe and the USA. However, during this volatile period, we felt it was very important to not draw false parallels to the economic developments of 2008 and 2009. Importantly, the market was able to discern that the U.S. financial system was in fact quite healthy as major banks proved to be among the best capitalized banks in the world and increased regulations kept a lid on speculative activities. Ultimately, aside from pockets of energy loans at selected financial institutions, credit quality, often considered a key backbone of the economy, remained quite strong.

After this was digested, the market slowly and steadily began to climb a wall of worry from the February 11th lows. When results and indicators from China proved more resilient and robust than bears contended, the market recovered meaningfully and rallied approximately 15.5% going into the Brexit vote on June 23rd. That vote for exit shocked the market which retreated 5%+ with meaningful speculation that other countries would quickly follow causing a collapse of the EU which would create huge disruptions and recession for Western Europe, which would then spill over into the USA.

However, markets quickly digested the information and with an impressively fast election of Theresa May as UK PM, markets calmed and Brexit came to be seen as much more contained, regional and manageable issue. Subsequently, the market rallied from post the July 4th holiday and then ran to an all-time high with the S&P 500 at or near the 2190 level by August 31.

During the last three months of the Calendar Year, the RUST/Yield trade (REITS. Utilities, Staples, Telecom Services) which had become what we called “Expensive Defensives” started to come back meaningfully as investors realized how crowded and expensive they had become. In fact, in these last three months Utilities came back 4.2%, REITS came back .94%, and AT&T and Verizon were down 4.3% and 5.3% respectively. In addition, during this period, Tobacco was down 3.5%, Beverages came back 1.6% while Food was flat.

Clearly, the global economy has challenges going forward. Global growth has been tepid over the past several years with investors patiently waiting for a noticeable pick-up in the USA, especially in wages, which could support a data driven Fed to tightening that would certainly be good for Banks and Savers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. economy continues to remain a safe harbor on a global basis with a GDP growth rate of about 2% per year and unemployment at a steady 5%. Some areas of the economy are quite strong including employment growth, construction activity and vehicle sales. Post Brexit there has been a flight to safety and the S&P 500 is now near peak historical levels and the US Dollar as well as US Treasuries have clearly been seen as the safe haven for both US and Non US investors.

As of the August close, investor sentiment was dealing with the four major Issues:

1) How will US Presidential contest play out between two largely unpopular candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump?

2) How will the Brexit play out and will it cause a significant macro slowdown in the UK and other Western European countries; and whether Brexit sentiment will spread and encourage other nations to exit the EU as well.

3) Markets will be watching developments in the Oil sector given the recent OPEC production cut news.

4) What will the Fed do at their December meeting? Will they tighten and signal another .50%-.75% of further tightening for 2017 or will weak data keep them on hold?

In this environment, we continue to believe active managers with long histories of success can exploit current uncertainties and mispricing to create excess returns for their clients.

On this point, we remain confident that our three circle philosophy and our value discipline should provide a sound foundation for delivering returns that our clients have become accustomed to over the past 20 years.

Sincerely,

Boston Partners Investment Funds Management

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Funds are subject to investment risk.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        1   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

After the small cap value market declined sharply for 2015, this area of the market has turned up significantly thus far for 2016. The Russell 2000® Value Index has returned 14.60% year-to-date as of August 31, 2016, recouping some of last year’s loss, bringing the one year return to 13.80%. The Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (Institutional Class) returned 13.30% for the year-to-date and 10.67% for the year ended August 31, 2016. The Fund has generally kept pace with the Index, but underperformed in the strong upmarket of the second quarter.

Over the last year, investors have been concerned about a possible recession, slowing global growth, low interest rates, and most recently, the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union in late June, known as ‘Brexit’. With this backdrop, the strategy has produced strong absolute returns, but remains behind its benchmark year-to-date. Stocks with high dividend yields like Utilities and REIT stocks surged over 15% year-to-date, as investors look for higher yields in the stock market than they can find in the bond market. We are finding selective REITs at moderate valuations while most Utility stocks are selling at premiums and we believe there are better opportunities elsewhere.

After Brexit, the market experienced a ‘flight to safety’ and pushed up stocks such as precious metals and mining companies as gold and silver prices surged. The Fund’s positions in this area—Basic Industries—performed well, appreciating approximately 9.5% year-to-date, but lagged the 43.4% return of those in the Index which surged in the flight to safety. In addition, stock specific disappointments within Health Care detracted as the sector struggles this year. Though it was a top performer for 2015, concerns about high drug prices and the outcome of the election have impacted the sector. The Fund’s holdings did not escape this sentiment, but we believe the fundamentals of the businesses to be sound and able to weather this period.

On the positive side, strong stock selection within Capital Goods and Consumer Non-Durables added value as stocks such as the Fund’s manufacturing and machinery companies performed well on strong earnings and growth expectations. Additionally, stock selection within Transportation added value in a declining sector as our stocks outperformed including one that will be acquired.

Market returns have remained strong amidst investor concerns and we continued to find many attractive opportunities in the small cap market. We look forward to hearing less about macro factors—perhaps when the election is over—and to the focus returning to company fundamentals. Regardless, we continue to select companies that have attractive valuation, strong fundamentals and positive business momentum which we believe will outperform over the long-term.

Sincerely,

David Dabora, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

P/E: Price/Earnings: A valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings.

P/B: Price/Book: A valuation ratio used by investors that compares a stock’s per-share price (market value) to its book value.

ROE: Return on Equity: Measures a corporation’s profitability by revealing how much profit a company generates with the money invested.

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets: The return on operating assets measurement focuses attention on only those assets used to generate revenue.

Portfolio characteristics refer to the underlying securities in the Fund’s portfolio and do not represent or predict the performance of any fund.

 

Small cap companies are those with a market capitalization similar to the Russell 2000® Value Index. These companies tend to be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with market capitalizations greater than the market capitalization of companies in the Russell 2000® Value Index, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Foreign securities may expose the Fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause uncertainty in determining valuation. As a result, an investment in Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Drew Industries, Inc.

    2.16%   

World Fuel Services Corp.

    1.89%   

WESCO International, Inc.

    1.87%   

First American Financial Corp.

    1.76%   

SLM Corp.

    1.62%   

Air Lease Corp.

    1.59%   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A

    1.54%   

Essent Group Ltd.

    1.50%   

CYS Investments, Inc.

    1.50%   

Belden, Inc.

    1.40%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.1

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.6

Holdings:

    157   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $2,213   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    9.0

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    33.3

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

2      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Small Cap Value Fund II — Institutional Class

    10.67%        9.18%        14.16%        8.07%        1.23%        1.10%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    13.80%        8.51%        12.63%        5.80%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    8.59%        8.53%        12.85%        7.04%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 1.10% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.10%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Board of Directors”). Effective as of May 28, 2014, if at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10% or the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index and is considered representative of small-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        3   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Small Cap Value Fund II — Investor Class

    10.38%        8.90%        13.87%        7.80%        1.48%        1.35%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    13.80%        8.51%        12.63%        5.80%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    8.59%        8.53%        12.85%        7.04%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until February 28, 2017 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Investor Class shares exceeds 1.35% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.35%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of May 28, 2014, if at any time, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.35% or the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1) 

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index and is considered representative of small-cap stocks.

 

4      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (Institutional Class) returned 15.36% net of fees while averaging 59% net long exposure for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. This compares to the 12.55% return posted by the S&P 500 Index during the same period.

The fiscal year began with heightened concerns over a slowing Chinese economy, followed by nervous market participants turning attention to a potential credit crisis fueled by bad energy loans; in the end, many of these fears appeared to be misplaced, and although there were bouts of significant volatility, markets continued to grind higher over the course of the period. The closing months of the fiscal year saw a decided change in sector leadership. Whereas higher yielding and defensive stocks out-performed the broader market late in 2015 through the first half of 2016, pro-cyclical sectors such as Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials have led the market since June as the market attitude became decidedly “risk-on”. The durability of this rotation will certainly be tested during the next flare-up of global growth concerns, but the historically high premiums on higher yielding and defensive sectors cannot last indefinitely, let alone expand.

The Fund’s long holdings were up in price roughly 10.3% during the fiscal year, driven by gains in Finance, Energy, and Technology. Within Finance, our large-cap bank holdings and insurance companies materially contributed to Fund returns; we continue to be attracted to the large total yields (dividends plus share buybacks) that many Finance companies deliver while trading at attractive valuations and representing a free call option on rising rates. Our E&P holdings within Energy drove much of the gains as well, as we have favored businesses with low cost acreage positions and strong balance sheets. Lastly, several of our long holdings within computer equipment and electronics drove gains in Technology for the year.

The Fund’s short holdings were down in price by roughly -3.2%, resulting in a positive contribution to Fund performance. Health Care was by far the strongest contributor on the short side of the portfolio, as we benefitted from many biotechnology shorts falling sharply in the first calendar quarter of 2016. Technology shorts also added to Fund returns, as we properly identified several shorts with valuation and earnings risk within the computer equipment industry. Lastly, internet services shorts within Communications added to Fund performance; this is an area where we commonly find companies with overly optimistic growth expectations trading at what we view as very expensive valuations, and we capitalized when many of these businesses fell short of market expectations.

The Fund ended the fiscal year with approximately 72% net long exposure, with 99% of capital invested long and roughly 27% of capital invested short. Net exposure is highest in the Finance, Energy and Consumer Services sectors and lowest in the REITs, Utilities, and Consumer Durables sectors. Net exposure significantly increased during the fiscal year, as the Fund began the period with approximately 21% net long exposure but covered many short positions in Technology and Health Care as they reached their downside target price during the year, thus increasing Fund net exposure.

The final several weeks of the fiscal year were extraordinarily calm, with the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX) hovering

below 13 for most of the period. However, there are a handful of known events on the horizon for the remainder of this year that may bring stormier seas to traverse: the U.S. presidential election, Brexit continuing to unfold, a potential OPEC production agreement, and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decisions on rates at the November and December meetings. As always, we at Boston Partners will be completely focused on bottom-up stock-picking in lieu of macroeconomic prognostications, as the “signal-to-noise ratio” is much higher when focusing on the former; as we’ve already experienced over the course of 2016, top-down predictions from market participants commonly create attractive bottom-up dislocations.

The portfolio manager managing the Funds continues to focus his efforts on purchasing shares of only those companies deemed most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to a combination of valuation risk, earnings risk, and/or balance sheet risk. Our analysis process is bottom-up and rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive momentum and strong business fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Boston Partners and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones, CFA

Portfolio Manager for the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Bank of America Corp.

    1.89%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.81%   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    1.44%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1.26%   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    1.15%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    1.06%   

Microsoft Corp.

    0.95%   

Morgan Stanley

    0.94%   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    0.92%   

Time Warner, Inc.

    0.90%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.1     32

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.6     6.5

Holdings:

    235        106   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $41,876        $5,464   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    6.7     (13.6 )% 

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    41.8     (15.2 )% 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        5   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    15.36%        6.63%        8.49%        10.73%        5.64%        5.64%   

S&P 500® Index

    12.55%        12.30%        14.69%        7.51%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for the Fund’s Institutional Class exceeds 2.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 2.50%. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. The Adviser may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

 

The Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund may be more volatile and risky than some other forms of investments. Since the Fund has both a long and a short portfolio, there is the risk that the portfolio managers may make more poor investment decisions than those of a fund with only a long portfolio. The Fund may have a high portfolio turnover rate that could increase transaction costs and cause short-term capital gains to be realized. Investments made in small or mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Foreign securities may expose the Fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. High yield debt (also known as “junk bonds”), may be sensitive to changes in financial strength of an issuer or the debt’s credit rating; an issuer of high yield debt may default on its obligation to pay interest and principal. All of these factors may cause greater volatility and less liquidity.

 

6      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Investor Class

    15.07%        6.36%        8.22%        10.40%        5.89%        5.89%   

S&P 500® Index

    12.55%        12.30%        14.69%        7.51%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for the Fund’s Investor Class shares exceeds 2.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 2.75%. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. The Adviser may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        7   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund (Institutional Class) returned 4.10% net of fees while averaging 48% net long exposure for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. This compares to the 12.55% return posted by the S&P 500 Index during the same period.

The fiscal year began with heightened concerns over a slowing Chinese economy, followed by nervous market participants turning attention to a potential credit crisis fueled by bad energy loans; in the end, many of these fears appeared to be misplaced, and although there were bouts of significant volatility, markets continued to grind higher over the course of the period. The closing months of the fiscal year saw a decided change in sector leadership. Whereas higher yielding and defensive stocks out-performed the broader market late in 2015 through the first half of 2016, pro-cyclical sectors such as Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials have led the market since June as the market attitude became decidedly “risk-on”. The durability of this rotation will certainly be tested during the next flare-up of global growth concerns, but the historically high premiums on higher yielding and defensive sectors cannot last indefinitely, let alone expand.

The Fund’s long holdings were up in price roughly 8.0% during the fiscal year and trailed the return of the S&P 500. Longs were driven by gains in the Energy, Capital Goods, and Technology sectors. Within Energy, several of the Fund’s E&P holdings have benefited from low cost acreage positions resulting in free cash flow positive production even amidst the downturn; we continue to like many U.S. E&P companies with strong balance sheets that have the ability to grow production in this environment. Capital Goods gains were once again driven by our aerospace and defense holdings, an area of the market where we have found several highly free cash flow generative companies with strong business trends both domestically and from international sales. Lastly, many of the Fund’s large-cap Technology holdings drove the portfolio’s long performance over the year, as this has been an area where we have found strong top-line and bottom-line growth yet at very attractive valuations. A primary detractor of relative performance for the long holdings during the year has been our underweight allocation to high dividend-yielding sectors—Utilities, REITs, Consumer Staples, and Telecommunications—as we generally find many of those businesses lacking strong business trends and trading at what we believe to be extreme valuations. This underweight started to work in the Fund’s favor very late in the fiscal year, and we would expect that trend to continue prospectively from this starting point.

Conversely, the Fund’s short holdings were up in price approximately 7.0%—creating a negative return contribution from a short seller’s perspective—as holdings within the Technology, Basic Industries, and Finance sectors detracted from Fund returns. The short portfolio’s tilt towards small- to mid-cap companies has been a style headwind thus far in 2016, as small- and mid-cap equities have outperformed large-cap; we have not changed positioning as a result, as we continue to find the majority of companies with failure characteristics—valuation risk, earnings risk, and business/balance sheet risk—in smaller companies that are less diversified and more vulnerable to competition. Gains were derived from several auto parts holdings, but these were offset by losses within precious metals in Basic Industries, electronics and software within Technology, and regional banks within Finance.

The Fund ended the fiscal year with approximately 48% net long exposure, with roughly 96% of capital invested long and 48% of capital invested short. Net exposure is highest in the Technology, Finance, and Health Care sectors, while next exposure is modestly negative in the REITs, Utilities, and Transportation sectors.

The final several weeks of the fiscal year were extraordinarily calm, with the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX) hovering below 13 for most of the period. However, there are a handful of known events on the horizon for the remainder of this year that may bring stormier seas to traverse: the U.S. presidential election, Brexit continuing to unfold, a potential OPEC production agreement, and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decisions on rates at the November and December meetings. As always, we at Boston Partners will be completely focused on bottom-up stock-picking in lieu of macro-

economic prognostications, as the “signal-to-noise ratio” is much higher when focusing on the former; as we’ve already experienced over the course of 2016, top-down predictions from market participants commonly create attractive bottom-up dislocations.

The Fund’s portfolio managers continue to focus their efforts on purchasing shares of only those companies they deem most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to a combination of valuation risk, earnings risk, and/or balance sheet risk. Our analysis process is bottom-up and rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive momentum and strong business fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Boston Partners and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Joseph Feeney, CFA & Eric Connerly, CFA

Portfolio Managers for the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

 

The Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund may be more volatile and risky than some other forms of investments. Fund will engage in short sales, which creates a form of investment leverage and means the Fund’s loss potential on a short sale is unlimited. Fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio may have disproportionately large effects or cause the NAV of the Fund to decline faster than it would otherwise. Investments made in small or mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Foreign securities may expose the Fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations. Derivatives (futures, options, swaps) may be leveraged and result in losses exceeding the amounts invested. REITs include the risk of possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. High yield debt (also known as “junk bonds”) may be sensitive to changes in financial strength of an issuer or the debt’s credit rating; an issuer of high yield debt may default on its obligation to pay interest and principal. The Fund may experience high portfolio turnover which may result in higher costs and capital gains.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A

    1.90%   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    1.38%   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

    1.17%   

Broadcom Ltd.

    1.17%   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    1.16%   

Flextronics International Ltd.

    1.13%   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    1.12%   

EMC Corp.

    1.03%   

Discover Financial Services

    1.01%   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    1.01%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.7     27.1

P/B: Price/Book:

    2.2     2.9

Holdings:

    199        190   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $56,917        $11,559   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    28.8     6

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    50.4     16.1

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

8      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on September 30, 2010 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense

Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 year     Since
Inception (1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Institutional Class

    4.10%        6.57%        9.12%        8.72%        2.43%        2.43%   

S&P 500® Index

    12.55%        12.30%        14.69%        13.89%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 1.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. Because acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 1.50%. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of the effective date of the Fund’s first advisory agreement with the Adviser, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.50% or the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at
www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

For the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        9   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on November 29, 2010 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 year     Since
Inception (1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class

    3.88%        6.29%        8.84%        7.96%        2.68%        2.68%   

S&P 500® Index

    12.55%        12.30%        14.69%        13.42%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 1.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares. Because acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 1.75%. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of the effective date of the Fund’s first advisory agreement with the Adviser, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.75% or the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at
www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

For the period November 29, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

10      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners All Cap Value Fund (“Fund”) underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Value Index (“Benchmark”), for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. The Fund (Institutional Class) generated a net return of 11.68% for the Institutional Share class during the past year versus its Benchmark’s return of 12.98%.

During fiscal 2016, the Fund’s underexposure to the high dividend yielding Utilities and REITs sectors had severely hindered performance during the first half of the year as the Benchmark sector stocks were up 25% and 13%, respectively. Despite the strong returns from what we believe to be expensive stocks, we have stayed true to our investment process in searching for value and have not owned any REITs or Utilities during the period. Our avoidance of these sectors has since helped relative return as we saw a reversal in the performance trend for these companies during the final two months of the period. During this time, the Benchmark’s Utility holdings were down 4.5% while REITs also underperformed the overall Benchmark. These stocks still appear overvalued to us and we continue to not hold any REITs or Utilities in the Fund in favor of companies that look more attractive to us from a valuation standpoint elsewhere in the market.

The Fund’s relative return was also impacted by our holdings in the Health Care sector as some of our pharmaceutical companies were hampered by concerns about drug pricing hitting the headlines. Despite these concerns, pricing has not been pressured yet and we don’t try to speculate on future legislative outcomes. The companies the Fund owns are generating strong free cash flow which is being returned to shareholders and have current stock prices that we believe have little to no value assigned to their new drug pipelines. We continue to diligently monitor these positions for a change in our original investment thesis while trying to block out the rhetoric that hasn’t actually changed the businesses’ fundamental circumstances yet.

The Fund’s stock selection was strong across multiple sectors, in particular, the Energy, Finance, and Capital Goods sectors. In Energy, our exposure to high quality exploration and production companies added value as strong production profiles were rewarded with the rebound in the price of oil. We also avoided the oil service industry which had a negative return in the Benchmark. In Finance, better stock picking among insurance stocks also contributed to relative return. In the Capital Goods sector, the defense companies that the Fund owns are generating strong free cash flow which is being used to buy back stock and pay dividends and these stocks also did well for the year.

In addition, we have been finding many opportunities in the Technology sector. We believe these companies trade at attractive prices and have significant operating leverage that should benefit from even a moderate increase in IT spending. The Fund’s overweight position was rewarded during the year as these companies returned 22% for the period.

During the period, we made a host of stock-specific decisions to refresh the Fund’s risk/return profile. We continued to build positions in exploration and production companies that have strong balance sheets in the Energy sector as the depressed price of oil created many buying opportunities over the past year. We also trimmed some positions in the Consumer Non-Durables

sector as they appreciated toward our target prices. In the Technology and Finance sectors, we also opened new positions in selective companies and the two sectors remain the largest weights in the overall Fund at the end of the period.

Looking ahead, we will continue to invest your Fund on a stock-by-stock basis within our three-circle discipline of attractive valuation, sound fundamentals and a catalyst for improvement. The Fund’s valuation edge and quality advantage over the Benchmark has positioned it favorably for the longer term. We look forward to keeping you informed of the work we are doing on your Fund’s behalf.

Duilio Ramallo, CFA—Portfolio Manager

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

 

The Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund may invest small cap companies. These companies may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Derivatives (futures, options, swaps) may be leveraged and result in losses exceeding the amounts invested. Foreign securities may expose the Fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. Options (a type of derivative) can be highly volatile and their use can result in loss if the portfolio manager is incorrect in its expectation of price fluctuations. All of these factors may cause greater volatility and less liquidity.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    3.12%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    2.23%   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    1.93%   

EMC Corp.

    1.91%   

Johnson & Johnson

    1.90%   

eBay, Inc.

    1.87%   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    1.82%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1.75%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.71%   

Raytheon Co.

    1.58%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.1

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.9

Holdings:

    137   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $72,397   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    13.2

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    61.8

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        11   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    11.68%        11.95%        15.61%        9.10%        0.95%        0.80%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    12.98%        10.51%        14.24%        6.06%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    11.44%        11.74%        14.46%        7.59%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 0.80% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 0.80%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. The Adviser may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 3000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

 

12      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Investor Class

    11.39%        11.70%        15.36%        8.85%        1.20%        1.05%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    12.98%        10.51%        14.24%        6.06%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    11.44%        11.74%        14.46%        7.59%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Investor Class shares exceeds 1.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.05%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. The Adviser may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 3000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        13   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. The Fund generated a net gain of 3.74% during the past year versus the Russell 2000 Value® Index gain of 13.80%. The past twelve months provided a favorable backdrop for our investment style. The Russell small and micro-cap value indices posted gains of 17.0% and 12.3%, respectively, catching up to the Russell large-cap value index which posted a 16.5% gain for the twelve months ended August 31, 2016. The performance of the small and micro-cap segments of the market after a turbulent end to the 2015 fiscal year is notable. Even more encouraging was the underperformance of richly valued low-volatility stocks against the broader market, which can be seen in the S&P Low Volatility Index’s (SPLV) 900bps underperformance vs. the S&P 500 Index. From an industry perspective, we saw broad strength as yield oriented sectors such as REITs and Utilities posted 20%+ gains along with Basic Industries and Technology. Finally, commodity markets seemed to stabilize with oil clawing back to 12-month highs driven by a combination of supply data and potential OPEC output coordination. The confluence of these events provided a healthy backdrop for our portfolio during the quarter, unfortunately the Fund’s relative results did not fare as well.

In the 2016 fiscal year, both stock selection and sector attribution detracted from results. The largest detractors from returns were the Capital Goods and Transportation sectors. The continued deflationary environment globally pressured performance at shipping and infrastructure related companies. While the supply side dynamics of these industries continues to improve, the demand picture has been harder to ascertain. The biggest contributors from stock selection were the Consumer Services and Energy sectors. The Fund’s Energy names clawed back much of the previous year’s losses and in fact posted solid gains in a sector that was down double-digits. Consumer Services benefitted from the acquisition of a movie theatre chain by a large competitor.

Looking to the end of the calendar year much of the attention remains on the US Presidential election with recent polls suggesting Hillary Clinton leads by a fair margin. Regardless of outcome, the Fund’s portfolio is poised to benefit as both candidates have put healthy emphasis on infrastructure spending, an area in which the Fund has significant exposure. Broadly speaking, economic news has been strong with employment and average hourly earnings growing at a healthy pace. Interestingly, the labor force participation rate ticked up to 63% (vs. 66% prior peak) suggesting the labor market is robust enough to encourage new supply. Despite the strength, potential headwinds to the recovery remain including corporate profit growth and net leverage levels. While profits have been strong, wage pressures are a common theme that surface on many earnings calls. Only time will tell if the new supply in the labor force can subdue the effects of rising wage pressures. Across the pond, early stages of the Brexit negotiations are setting a harsh tone from both sides. The recent drop in the GBP/USD exchange rate continues what has been an almost 24-month decline. While the Fund’s direct exposure to the GBP and Eurozone economy is limited, we are monitoring developments for effects on our companies. Finally, if current trends continue the Federal Reserve could be in a strong position to hike rates at

the end of this year. While the immediate effects on the market could be volatile, we believe a stronger fundamental backdrop will encourage growth spending and subsequently provide a much needed boost to the small-cap universe.

Sincerely,

Richard Shuster, CFA

Portfolio Manager, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

 

Value investing involves buying the stocks of companies that are out of favor or are undervalued. This may adversely affect The WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund’s value and return. Investments in REITs include the risk of possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. The purchase of rights and warrants involves risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of the right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not executed prior to the right’s or warrant’s expiration. The effective price paid for a right or warrant may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price. Investments made in small or micro-capitalization companies may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small and micro-caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Popular, Inc.

    2.47%   

Exar Corp.

    2.35%   

Accuray, Inc.

    2.23%   

ICF International, Inc.

    2.21%   

Customers Bancorp, Inc

    2.06%   

Kemper Corp.

    2.00%   

Libbey, Inc.

    1.99%   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.

    1.93%   

State Bank Financial Corp.

    1.91%   

Trinity Biotech PLC — Sponsored ADR

    1.87%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.6

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.4

Holdings:

    109   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $1,271   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    (1.7 )% 

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    8.5

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

14      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund vs. Russell 2000® Value Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2006 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Value Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense

Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

WPG Partners Small/Micro-Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    3.74%        1.57%        10.26%        4.85%        1.41%        1.10%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    13.80%        8.51%        12.63%        5.80%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 1.10% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.10%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. If at any time during the three years from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 that the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10% or in the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        15   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners Global Equity Fund returned 6.90% for the trailing year ended August 31, 2016. During that same period, the MSCI World Index returned 7.32%.

The MSCI World Index reached its trailing year nadir on February 11th, and has returned more than 18% since that date. In retrospect, the market volatility caused by the Brexit vote looks like a mere speed bump as the index approaches the all-time high reached in May 2015. Clearly, the doomsday prognostications in the run up to the Brexit vote were overwrought, and perhaps self-serving. That being said, realized year-over-year GDP of developed economies remains uninspiring and has trickled downwards over recent quarters. Global 2016 and 2017 estimates have been cut, particularly in Europe and the UK, where Brexit’s impact is logically expected to be most acute. We believe the impact will be less severe as cooler heads prevail, and leaders will act in their country’s economic interest over succumbing to petty retribution. Growth in Emerging Markets remains strong, specifically in developing Asia with China and India delivering the bulwark, though reported Chinese economic data remains uncomfortably steady. This economic backdrop means continuing accommodative Central Bank policies. This is good for equities over the intermediate future. The longer-term impact is uncertain as we are closer to the point where more policy rate cuts and government asset purchases become futile.

The closing months of the fiscal year saw a decided change in sector leadership. Whereas higher yielding, and defensive stocks out-performed the broader market late in 2015 through the first half of 2016, pro-cyclical sectors such as Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials have led the market since June as the market attitude became decidedly “risk-on”. The durability of this rotation will certainly be tested during the next flare-up of global growth concerns, but the historically high premiums on higher yielding and defensive sectors cannot last indefinitely, let alone expand.

Regardless of the above commentary, our strategy remains focused on identifying dislocations between underlying fundamentals and valuations on an individual company basis. Security selection and sector allocation both contributed to performance. The Energy, Financials, and Industrials sectors were the largest contributors to relative performance. Consumer Staples and Consumer Discretionary were the largest detractors from relative performance. At the region level, Europe and Emerging Markets made significant contributions to performance, while the United Kingdom detracted from performance. Off-benchmark Energy stocks Parsley Energy and Diamondback Energy were among the largest contributors to performance. Shares of these low-cost Permian Basin Exploration & Production companies rose throughout much of the trailing year as analyst raised their ratings following expectation beating results driven by strong production and below-guidance costs. The portfolio’s Financial sector performance benefitted from the absence of European Banks in the portfolio. European Banks declined 23% during the period as our suspicions about the adequacy of European Bank capitalization levels were widely recognized. Overweight positions in Raytheon Company and Teleperformance SE were big winners within the Industrial sector. Shares of Raytheon traded higher due to strong demand for its missile-defense systems and munitions products, such as the Patriot missile. Shares of Teleperformance SE, a

French call-center operator, rose sharply in August after the company announced it was adding online phone and video translation by acquiring LanguageLine Solutions LLC from a U.S. private-equity firm. The Fund’s Industrial sector performance also benefitted from off-benchmark European Machinery stocks KION Group AG and Georg Fischer AG.

Liberty Global PLC was the single largest stock detractor from performance and explains the Fund’s underperformance in the Consumer Discretionary sector. Shares of Liberty Global traded lower throughout the trailing year due to lower levels of debt reduction than expected and higher capital expenditures than expected. The company is also facing increasing competition in the Netherlands, which is the company’s second largest market. The position’s weight in the Fund’s portfolio has been reduced during 2016. An underweight allocation to the defensive and high yielding sectors like Consumer Staples, REITS, and Utilities, also detracted from performance during much of the trailing year.

Industrials and Materials are the largest overweight sectors in the portfolio. Aerospace & Defense and Machinery are the overweight industries in the Industrials sector and Containers & Packaging is the most overweight industry in the Materials sector. The largest underweight sectors are Consumer Staples, Utilities, and REITS. The valuations in these sectors have been chronically unattractive as market participant’s bid-up perceived safety and yield. The portfolio does not hold any European Bank stocks. We remain concerned about capitalization levels and slow Euro area growth. From a region perspective, the portfolio is overweight Europe and Emerging Markets and most underweight North America. The underlying rationale for all of the portfolio’s exposures is the dislocation between valuations and company fundamentals.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

    3.16%   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    2.68%   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    2.24%   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

    1.98%   

Johnson & Johnson

    1.81%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    1.62%   

Merck KGaA

    1.62%   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    1.61%   

Safran SA

    1.54%   

CRH PLC

    1.53%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.6

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.9

Holdings:

    119   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $64,842   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    29.3

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    49.1

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

16      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

We expect global economic data to remain mixed in the near term. Global economies continue to require Central Bank support. Concerns about Britain’s extraction from the European Union have passed for the time being. With the MSCI World Index’s recent move higher, valuations have expanded. The Fund’s portfolio remains well positioned with holdings that reflect Boston Partners’ 3 circle characteristics—attractive valuations, solid fundamentals, and identifiable catalysts.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Hart, CFA

Senior Portfolio Manager, Boston Partners

Global Equity Fund

 

 

International investing is subject to special risks including, but not limited to, currency risk associated with securities denominated in other than US dollar, which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices. Investment in emerging market securities may increase these risks. Emerging markets investments are subject to the aforementioned risks, along with periods of high inflation, increased risk of default, less governmental supervision and regulation of securities markets, lack of liquidity in the markets and significantly smaller market capitalizations. The Fund may invest in small and mid-cap companies which may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. An investment in the Fund should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        17   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)  (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 30, 2011 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI World Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    6.90%        9.02%        12.21%        1.24%        0.95%   

MSCI World Index

    7.32%        7.99%        11.36%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 0.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 0.95%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of the effective date of the Fund’s first advisory agreement with the Adviser, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 0.95% or the expense cap then in effect, or whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

For the period December 30, 2011 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

18      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (Institutional Class) returned 3.74% net of fees while averaging 42% net long exposure for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. This compares to the 7.32% return posted by the MSCI World Index over the same period.

The MSCI World Index reached its trailing year nadir on February 11th, and has returned more than 18% since that date. In retrospect, the market volatility caused by the Brexit vote looks like a mere speed bump as the index approaches the all-time high reached in May 2015. Clearly, the doomsday prognostications in the run up to the Brexit vote were overwrought, and perhaps self-serving. That being said, realized year-over-year GDP of developed economies remains uninspiring and has trickled downwards over recent quarters. Global 2016 and 2017 estimates have been cut, particularly in Europe and the UK, where Brexit’s impact is logically expected to be most acute. We believe the impact will be less severe as cooler heads prevail, and leaders will act in their country’s economic interest over succumbing to petty retribution. Growth in Emerging Markets remains strong, specifically in developing Asia with China and India delivering the bulwark, though reported Chinese economic data remains uncomfortably steady. This economic backdrop means continuing accommodative Central Bank policies. This is good for equities over the intermediate future. The longer-term impact is uncertain as we are closer to the point where more policy rate cuts and government asset purchases become futile.

The closing months of the fiscal year saw a decided change in sector leadership. Whereas higher yielding, and defensive stocks out-performed the broader market late in 2015 through the first half of 2016, pro-cyclical sectors such as Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials have led the market since June as the market attitude became decidedly “risk-on”. The durability of this rotation will certainly be tested during the next flare-up of global growth concerns, but the historically high premiums on higher yielding and defensive sectors cannot last indefinitely, let alone expand.

The Fund’s long holdings were up in price approximately 12.5% during the period and outperformed the Index. Drivers of performance within the long portfolio include holdings within the Energy, Health Care, and Information Technology sectors. The Fund’s short holdings were up in price approximately 8.9%, thus detracting from Fund returns from a short seller’s perspective. Losses within the short portfolio were driven by holdings within the Industrials, Materials, and Consumer Staples sectors.

Turnover in the Fund’s long holdings has been balanced thus far in 2016, as 86 long positions were closed while 86 positions were opened. Turnover on the short side has been more pronounced, with 172 positions closed and 163 new shorts established.

The Fund ended the fiscal year with approximately 49% net long exposure, with roughly 91% of capital invested long and approximately 42% invested short; net exposure is approximately 10% higher than at the same time last year. The Fund managers maintain the highest net long exposures to the Health Care, Financials, and Information Technology sectors as well as the North American region. Conversely, the Fund managers are least bullish on the prospects for the Utilities, REITs, and Consumer Discretionary sectors, evidenced by low net exposures to those sectors.

The Fund’s portfolio managers continue to focus their efforts on purchasing shares of only those companies they deem most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to a combination of valuation risk, earnings risk, and/or balance sheet risk. Our analysis process is bottom-up and rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive

momentum and strong business fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Boston Partners and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Christopher Hart, CFA & Joshua Jones, CFA

Portfolio Managers for the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Equity Fund

 

The Fund will engage in short sales, which creates a form of investment leverage and means the Fund’s loss potential on a short sale is unlimited. Fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio may have disproportionately large effects or cause the NAV of the Fund to decline faster than it would otherwise. The Fund may invest in small and mid-cap companies which may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Foreign securities may expose the Fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations. Derivatives (futures, options, swaps) may be leveraged and result in losses exceeding the amounts invested. REITS include the risk of possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. High yield debt (also known as “junk bonds”) may be sensitive to changes in financial strength of an issuer or the debt’s credit rating; an issuer of high yield debt may default on its obligation to pay interest and principal. All of these factors may cause greater volatility and less liquidity. The Fund may experience high portfolio turnover which may result in higher costs and capital gains.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    3.01%   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

    2.78%   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

    2.17%   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1.92%   

Johnson & Johnson

    1.87%   

WH Group Ltd.

    1.63%   

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    1.61%   

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    1.55%   

Chubb Ltd.

    1.50%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    1.48%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.8     22.7

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.8     2.8

Holdings:

    115        126   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $60,512        $15,884   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    28.8     10.3

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    45.7     21.7

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        19   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2013 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI World Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Long/Short Fund — Institutional Class

    3.74%        3.45%        3.05%        3.09%   

MSCI World Index

    7.32%        3.96%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 2.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 2.00%. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of the effective date of the Fund’s first advisory agreement with the Adviser, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 2.00% or the expense cap then in effect, or whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

For the period December 31, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

20      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on April 11, 2014 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI World Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For The Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Long/Short Fund — Investor Class

    3.66%        4.27%        3.30%        3.34%   

MSCI World Index

    7.32%        4.23%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for the Fund’s Investor Class shares exceeds 2.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 2.25%. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. Effective as of the effective date of the Fund’s first advisory agreement with the Adviser, if at any time, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 2.25% or the expense cap then in effect, or whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1)

For the period April 11, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        21   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund returned 11.50% during the period December 15, 2015 (inception date of the Fund) through August 31, 2016. During that same period, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returned 18.58%.

After several years of underperformance versus developed markets, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has outperformed the MSCI World index by more than 9% year-to-date through August. Despite the strong relative performance, Emerging Markets are still trading at more than a 20% discount to Developed Markets based on their 2017 estimated price-earnings ratio. Emerging Markets typically trade at a discount because of their heightened political risk, accounting transparency issues, etc. The gap had widened in recent years as Emerging Markets were at the epicenter of global growth issues, such as the commodity bust and Chinese hard landing/soft landing debate. Within Emerging markets, the most compelling valuations are understandably found in the areas with highest risk, such as Russia, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. Fiscal positions and growth projections are generally better in Emerging Markets than Developed Markets, buttressed by surpluses in the Asian giants of China, India, and Korea. Overall, the global macro backdrop is such that Central Bank policies remain accommodative. This is good for equities over the intermediate future. The longer-term impact is uncertain as we are closer to the point where more policy rate cuts and government asset purchases become futile.

Regardless of the above commentary, our strategy remains focused on identifying dislocations between underlying fundamentals and valuations on an individual company basis. The Fund’s long portfolio kept pace with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index during the rally, returning approximately 12.6% versus the MSCI Emerging Markets Index return of 14.6%. The largest contributors to performance came within the Technology and REITs sectors, while Utilities and Consumer Discretionary were the long portfolio’s largest underperforming sectors. Asian technology stocks Samsung Electronics, Tencent Holdings, and Taiwan Semiconductor were the long portfolio’s best individual performers. PICC Property & Casualty Co., HSBC Holdings, and New China Life Insurance were among the worst performing stocks in the long portfolio.

The portfolio’s short exposure has drifted downward since the beginning of the year from -46% to -31%, coinciding with the bottoming of equity markets in January and their ensuing appreciation. The objective of the Fund’s short portfolio is to add value by underperforming the market overall. We met this objective year-to-date, as the short portfolio dramatically underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. As a separate portfolio, the short portfolio returned 3.1% vs the MSCI Emerging Market return of 14.6%. The Fund’s biggest successes within the short portfolio were Scorpio Bulkers, Inc. and Tech Pro Technology Development, which declined -75% and -88%, respectively.

Given the market selloff, mid & small-cap emerging market stocks offer significant upside potential. In the small-cap area we have found Brazilian malls, India media, and selected high quality commodity names especially appealing. In aggregate, the long book offers more potential, which has resulted in a fundamentally driven increase in our overall net exposure. We are excited about the opportunity of applying our 3 circle methodology to one of the more inefficient set of markets.

Sincerely,

Joseph Feeney, CFA & Paul Korngiebel, CFA

Portfolio Managers for the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

 

The Fund will engage in short sales, which creates a form of investment leverage and means the Fund’s loss potential on a short sale is unlimited. Fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio may have disproportionately large effects or cause the NAV of the Fund to decline faster than it would otherwise. The Fund may invest in small and mid-cap companies which may be more volatile, less liquid, not as diversified in their business activities as companies with greater market capitalizations, and they may fluctuate widely in market value. Small caps may be traded only in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only in the “pink sheets,” and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. Foreign and emerging market securities may expose the fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations, high inflation, increased risk of default, less governmental supervision and regulation of securities markets, lack of liquidity in the markets, significantly smaller market capitalizations, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices. Derivatives (futures, options, swaps) may be leveraged and result in losses exceeding the amounts invested., REITS include the risk of possible declines in the value of real estate, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds and unexpected vacancies of properties. Illiquid securities may be limited in resale and cause great uncertainty in determining valuation. High yield debt (also known as “junk bonds”) may be sensitive to changes in financial strength of an issuer or the debt’s credit rating; an issuer of high yield debt may default on its obligation to pay interest and principal. All of these factors may cause greater volatility and less liquidity. The Fund may experience high portfolio turnover which may result in higher costs and capital gains.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/16)   % of Net Assets  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    2.89%   

China Mobile Ltd.

    2.03%   

Gazit-Globe Ltd.

    1.54%   

Liberty Global Plc LiLAC, Class C

    1.47%   

Distilleries Co. of Sri Lanka PLC

    1.47%   

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

    1.27%   

Pampa Energia SA - Sponsored ADR

    1.18%   

KT&G Corp.

    1.16%   

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    1.04%   

PhosAgro PJSC - GDR

    1.01%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/16)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    14.4     16.1

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.6     1.2

Holdings:

    140        87   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $46,480        $4,910   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    16.3     5.3

OROA: Operating Return on
Operating Assets:

    40.9     0.6

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

22      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund vs. MSCI Emerging Markets Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 15, 2015 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
Total Return For The Period Ended August 31, 2016   
     Since
Inception(1)
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 

Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund — Institutional Class

    11.50%        3.90%        2.87%   

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    18.58%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for the Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 2.10% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. Because acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed 2.10%. This contractual limitation is in effect until July 19, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. If at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses (not including acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expense, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for a year are less than 2.10% or the expense cap then in effect, whatever is less, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectus. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.boston-partners.com.

 

(1) 

For the period December 15, 2015 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        23   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of the Fund(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and other Fund expenses. The examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund(s) and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund(s) and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying tables 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.

Expense Table

    Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2016
    Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2016*
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period**
 
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,207.30        1.10     $6.10   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,019.61        1.10     5.58   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,205.50        1.35     $7.48   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,018.35        1.35     6.85   
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,092.40        3.06 %(1)      $16.09   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,009.75        3.06 %(1)      15.46   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,090.90        3.31 %(1)      $17.40   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,008.50        3.31 %(1)      16.71   
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,071.00        2.62 %(1)      $13.64   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,011.97        2.62 %(1)      13.25   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,069.10        2.87 %(1)      $14.93   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,010.71        2.87 %(1)      14.51   

 

24      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

    Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2016
    Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2016*
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period**
 
Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,177.20        0.80     $4.38   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,021.11        0.80     4.06   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,175.90        1.05     $5.74   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,019.86        1.05     5.33   
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,203.40        1.10     $6.09   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,019.61        1.10     5.58   
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,149.60        0.95     $5.13   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,020.36        0.95     4.82   
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,055.20        3.13 %(1)      $16.17   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,009.40        3.13 %(1)      15.81   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,053.50        3.38 %(1)      $17.45   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,008.14        3.38 %(1)      17.06   
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,118.50        3.08 %(1)      $16.40   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,009.65        3.08 %(1)      15.56    

 

* The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return of 20.73% and 20.55% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II; 9.24% and 9.09% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund; 7.10% and 6.91% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund; 17.72% and 17.59% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund; 20.34% for the Institutional Class of the WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund; 14.96% for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Global Equity Fund; 5.52% and 5.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund; and 11.85% for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund.

 

** Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratios in the table above, which include waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

(1)

These amounts include dividends paid on securities which the Funds have sold short (“Short-sale dividends”) and related interest expense. The amount of short-sale dividends and related interest expense was 0.63% and 1.19% of average net assets for the six-month period ended August 31, 2016 for both the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund and Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, respectively, 1.35% of average net assets for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund and 0.98% of average net assets for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        25   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited)

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    24.2   $ 98,327,760   

Consumer Services

    17.7        71,663,916   

Capital Goods

    14.5        58,872,717   

Technology

    9.4        37,940,552   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    8.2        33,229,738   

Health Care

    7.9        31,990,641   

Basic Industries

    5.6        22,667,140   

Energy

    3.8        15,530,124   

Consumer Non-Durables

    2.4        9,704,194   

Consumer Durables

    1.9        7,678,937   

Transportation

    0.7        2,963,900   

Utilities

    0.5        1,823,957   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    4.8        19,567,739   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

    (1.6     (6,450,538
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 405,510,777   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    24.5   $ 202,871,113   

Consumer Services

    14.3        118,821,912   

Technology

    11.1        91,816,560   

Health Care

    11.0        91,100,900   

Energy

    10.8        89,850,084   

Capital Goods

    8.5        70,571,860   

Basic Industries

    7.4        61,275,036   

Communications

    3.5        29,243,088   

Consumer Non-Durables

    2.8        23,100,343   

Transportation

    2.3        18,864,350   

Consumer Durables

    1.0        8,069,585   

Utilities

    0.9        7,666,567   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.3        2,655,482   

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

    0.7        5,995,881   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    5.4        44,336,019   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Energy

    (0.2     (1,919,092

Transportation

    (0.3     (2,568,068

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    (0.4     (3,263,232

Finance

    (0.5     (3,747,105

Basic Industries

    (0.5     (4,003,070

Consumer Durables

    (0.9     (7,444,976

Communications

    (0.9     (7,622,584

Capital Goods

    (1.1     (9,387,879

Consumer Non-Durables

    (1.9     (15,911,943

Utilities

    (2.2     (18,134,107

Consumer Services

    (4.7     (39,039,338

Health Care

    (5.0     (41,284,827

Technology

    (5.9     (49,098,222

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

    (2.1     (17,051,472

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    0.0        (125,757

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    22.1        183,673,899   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 829,311,007   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Technology

    19.3   $ 1,283,507,959   

Finance

    16.5        1,098,529,780   

Capital Goods

    11.4        760,623,695   

Health Care

    9.9        659,400,903   

Energy

    9.2        612,129,155   

Consumer Services

    8.0        534,046,576   

Basic Industries

    7.0        463,163,453   

Communications

    5.5        368,120,205   

Consumer Non-Durables

    5.3        355,151,983   

Consumer Durables

    1.3        89,151,731   

Utilities

    1.0        65,837,116   

Transportation

    0.7        49,457,974   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.4        23,852,883   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    (0.6     (42,830,863

Transportation

    (1.0     (66,208,219

Utilities

    (1.2     (82,542,162

Consumer Durables

    (1.4     (90,252,114

Communications

    (2.8     (189,978,030

Basic Industries

    (2.9     (190,375,923

Consumer Non-Durables

    (2.9     (191,921,741

Energy

    (3.2     (210,441,591

Health Care

    (3.9     (263,305,161

Capital Goods

    (4.0     (265,497,155

Finance

    (7.0     (464,134,792

Consumer Services

    (8.1     (538,594,042

Technology

    (8.8     (585,698,046

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    0.0        (680,130

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    52.3        3,482,289,963   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 6,662,803,407   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    27.5   $ 375,049,876   

Technology

    20.0        272,815,026   

Health Care

    19.5        266,386,205   

Energy

    8.2        111,955,008   

Consumer Services

    7.7        105,487,019   

Capital Goods

    7.2        97,365,073   

Consumer Non-Durables

    2.6        35,868,354   

Communications

    2.6        35,831,628   

Consumer Durables

    2.0        26,607,698   

Basic Industries

    1.2        16,173,688   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.0          

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    0.4        5,417,919   

RIGHTS

    0.0          

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    0.0        (508,500

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    1.1        15,611,188   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 1,364,060,182   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

26      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    26.4   $ 8,941,341   

Capital Goods

    11.4        3,858,502   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    10.6        3,606,806   

Technology

    10.5        3,572,639   

Consumer Services

    7.4        2,513,562   

Energy

    6.3        2,127,581   

Utilities

    5.1        1,736,268   

Health Care

    4.4        1,480,496   

Transportation

    3.7        1,257,413   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.6        1,236,136   

Consumer Durables

    3.2        1,069,313   

Basic Industries

    2.5        846,349   

Communications

    0.3        111,519   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    10.0        3,389,405   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

    (5.4     (1,818,186
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 33,929,144   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    17.9   $ 74,632,505   

Industrials

    16.0        66,827,638   

Information Technology

    15.6        64,721,427   

Health Care

    12.2        50,663,287   

Materials

    8.1        33,818,657   

Consumer Discretionary

    7.3        30,524,124   

Consumer Staples

    7.1        29,503,317   

Energy

    6.2        25,611,946   

Telecommunication Services

    4.6        19,016,500   

Capital Goods

    2.2        9,051,930   

PREFERRED STOCK

    0.7        2,707,569   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    2.1        8,920,199   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 415,999,099   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Industrials

    15.5   $ 137,108,353   

Financials

    15.5        136,890,955   

Information Technology

    12.3        108,881,135   

Health Care

    11.6        102,457,084   

Consumer Staples

    7.6        67,514,849   

Energy

    7.4        65,767,880   

Telecommunication Services

    6.1        53,643,811   

Materials

    5.7        50,934,049   

Consumer Discretionary

    5.0        44,295,240   

Consumer Services

    2.0        17,820,753   

Utilities

    0.8        6,896,664   

PREFERRED STOCK

    1.3        11,095,934   

OPTIONS PURCHASED

    0.0        290,425   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Telecommunication Services

    (0.3     (2,945,377

Utilities

    (0.8     (7,013,856

Transportation

    (1.1     (9,353,493

Energy

    (1.4     (12,203,859

Health Care

    (3.6     (32,175,988

Consumer Services

    (3.7     (33,078,746

Materials

    (3.8     (33,825,790

Financials

    (4.4     (38,884,668

Consumer Discretionary

    (4.6     (40,446,531

Information Technology

    (4.6     (40,664,240

Consumer Staples

    (5.0     (43,852,435

Industrials

    (8.3     (73,634,423

OPTIONS WRITTEN

    (0.1     (669,410

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    50.9        450,068,007   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 884,916,323   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Consumer Staples

    8.2   $ 899,120   

Information Technology

    4.7        512,106   

Telecommunication Services

    4.1        444,578   

Consumer Discretionary

    4.0        437,143   

Financials

    2.4        256,384   

Energy

    2.1        231,893   

Real Estate

    2.0        221,572   

Utilities

    1.6        179,388   

Health Care

    1.6        175,092   

Materials

    1.6        178,295   

Industrials

    0.5        52,793   

PREFERRED STOCK

    3.5        388,744   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Consumer Discretionary

    (0.2     (20,693

Consumer Staples

    (0.4     (46,546

Information Technology

    (0.4     (47,362

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    64.7        7,075,802   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 10,938,309   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        27   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—96.8%

  

Basic Industries—5.6%

  

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. * (a)

    200,450      $ 1,216,727   

Ferro Corp. *

    77,207        1,029,941   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    352,489        5,054,692   

Innophos Holdings, Inc.

    64,009        2,702,460   

Multi Packaging Solutions International Ltd. *

    145,944        2,046,135   

Orchids Paper Products Co. (a)

    86,083        2,408,602   

PolyOne Corp.

    27,329        942,031   

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

    71,135        2,794,183   

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    17,081        1,250,842   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    130,850        3,221,527   
   

 

 

 
      22,667,140   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—14.5%

   

Aegion Corp. *

    101,611        1,881,836   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

    29,878        322,682   

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc. *

    171,786        3,425,413   

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

    60,006        824,482   

Cabot Corp.

    47,617        2,374,184   

CECO Environmental Corp.

    144,859        1,592,000   

Continental Building Products, Inc. *

    64,310        1,428,325   

Cubic Corp.

    87,820        4,111,732   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    22,570        2,029,043   

Drew Industries, Inc.

    85,812        8,739,952   

Ferroglobe PLC

    264,550        2,182,538   

Granite Construction, Inc.

    57,623        2,765,904   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    37,762        1,214,048   

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    52,717        3,720,239   

Olin Corp. (a)

    103,492        2,239,567   

Orion Group Holdings, Inc. *

    220,763        1,315,747   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. *

    46,195        1,478,702   

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    84,633        1,962,639   

WESCO International, Inc. *

    121,993        7,583,085   

World Fuel Services Corp.

    172,288        7,680,599   
   

 

 

 
      58,872,717   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.9%

   

Strattec Security Corp.

    15,368        643,766   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    25,373        2,059,019   

Tower International, Inc.

    110,794        2,692,294   

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (a)

    94,884        2,283,858   
   

 

 

 
      7,678,937   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—2.4%

   

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A (a)

    52,718        3,051,318   

Steven Madden Ltd. *

    116,036        4,071,703   

Universal Corp. (a)

    42,898        2,581,173   
   

 

 

 
      9,704,194   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—17.7%

   

ABM Industries, Inc.

    97,947        3,764,103   

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (a)

    273,441        5,069,596   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. *

    110,665        900,813   

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc *

    117,563        1,315,530   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    88,209      $ 2,678,025   

Brink’s Co., (The)

    17,937        654,701   

CBIZ, Inc. *

    101,449        1,147,388   

Civeo Corp. *

    362,307        416,653   

Clubcorp Holdings, Inc.

    105,043        1,507,367   

Ennis, Inc.

    40,447        670,611   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    209,492        5,042,472   

FTD Cos., Inc. *

    79,484        1,867,874   

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

    63,528        2,813,655   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

    34,152        3,324,014   

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    33,955        2,014,890   

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

    73,558        1,374,799   

Hibbett Sports, Inc. * (a)

    15,717        603,061   

ICF International, Inc. *

    52,706        2,205,746   

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    53,398        1,777,619   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    65,634        2,775,006   

Korn/Ferry International

    34,882        831,587   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. *

    45,363        1,212,099   

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    44,422        2,612,902   

Monster Worldwide, Inc. *

    338,810        1,240,045   

Navigant Consulting, Inc. *

    229,433        4,506,064   

Office Depot, Inc.

    499,232        1,837,174   

Papa Murphy’s Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    227,349        1,357,274   

PRA Group, Inc. *

    44,219        1,414,124   

RPX Corp. *

    197,521        2,068,045   

Scholastic Corp.

    27,831        1,120,476   

Starz, Class A *

    58,945        1,838,495   

Tailored Brands, Inc.

    211,039        2,781,494   

Tetra Tech, Inc.

    96,752        3,415,346   

TravelCenters of America LLC *

    148,173        1,007,576   

Viad Corp.

    27,716        991,124   

XO Group, Inc. *

    80,803        1,506,168   
   

 

 

 
      71,663,916   
   

 

 

 

Energy—3.8%

   

Bristow Group, Inc. (a)

    144,767        1,651,791   

Dril-Quip, Inc. *

    18,433        1,024,322   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    185,015        6,262,758   

RSP Permian, Inc. *

    139,810        5,459,581   

Western Refining, Inc. (a)

    44,979        1,131,672   
   

 

 

 
      15,530,124   
   

 

 

 

Finance—24.2%

   

Air Lease Corp.

    219,737        6,455,873   

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    34,978        2,099,030   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    140,963        3,914,543   

CenterState Banks, Inc.

    103,533        1,861,523   

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

    20,855        689,049   

Essent Group Ltd. *

    229,415        6,097,851   

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

    108,973        4,465,714   

First American Financial Corp.

    165,699        7,139,970   

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.

    59,528        3,078,788   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    6,239        1,777,553   

Flushing Financial Corp.

    50,786        1,177,727   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

28      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Gladstone Capital Corp. (a)

    29,066      $ 252,584   

Global Indemnity PLC *

    26,989        778,633   

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

    55,047        1,262,778   

Hanmi Financial Corp.

    32,340        848,278   

Heritage Financial Corp.

    65,329        1,207,280   

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

    104,525        1,797,830   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

    21,164        1,783,279   

James Rivers Group Holdings Ltd.

    78,672        2,874,675   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    303,989        4,198,088   

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    147,104        2,336,012   

Navient Corp.

    241,529        3,473,187   

Navigators Group, Inc., (The)

    16,863        1,584,447   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    111,905        3,961,437   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

    117,027        1,657,102   

Park Sterling Corp.

    82,853        702,593   

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., Class A *

    138,363        2,289,908   

Radian Group, Inc.

    271,599        3,723,622   

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

    19,113        1,270,059   

Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Inc., Class A

    151,811        1,880,938   

SLM Corp. *

    886,116        6,570,550   

State Auto Financial Corp.

    43,351        995,339   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    103,493        4,737,910   

Stifel Financial Corp. *

    83,046        3,267,860   

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. *

    176,542        4,678,363   

Washington Federal, Inc.

    54,241        1,437,387   
   

 

 

 
      98,327,760   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—7.9%

   

Amsurg Corp. *

    40,014        2,597,709   

Chemed Corp.

    31,372        4,233,024   

ICON PLC *

    56,325        4,325,197   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. *

    34,719        3,000,416   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

    157,002        1,733,302   

LHC Group, Inc. *

    32,700        1,162,812   

LifePoint Health, Inc. *

    28,533        1,614,968   

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    50,390        1,731,904   

PAREXEL International Corp. *

    75,052        5,105,788   

PharMerica Corp. *

    13,465        340,126   

Select Medical Holdings Corp. *

    169,182        2,009,882   

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

    65,591        4,135,513   
   

 

 

 
      31,990,641   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—8.2%

  

Altisource Residential Corp.

    49,008        537,618   

American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp.

    55,533        947,115   

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    155,130        3,392,693   

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

    232,973        1,139,238   

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.

    253,218        3,182,950   

Chatham Lodging Trust

    111,055        2,302,170   

Colony Capital, Inc., Class A

    42,261        780,561   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(continued)

  

CYS Investments, Inc.

    689,096      $ 6,070,936   

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

    34,201        615,618   

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    72,963        2,047,342   

MFA Financial, Inc.

    545,368        4,210,241   

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.

    79,102        1,505,311   

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

    90,009        2,061,206   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    498,510        4,436,739   
   

 

 

 
      33,229,738   
   

 

 

 

Technology—9.4%

   

Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B

    107,540        2,470,194   

Belden, Inc.

    76,440        5,701,660   

Brooks Automation, Inc.

    229,675        2,896,202   

Coherent, Inc. *

    28,592        3,007,307   

Convergys Corp.

    51,289        1,529,951   

EnerSys

    61,278        4,312,746   

Insight Enterprises, Inc. *

    37,037        1,133,332   

NETGEAR, Inc. *

    54,755        3,121,035   

PC Connection, Inc.

    24,635        642,234   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc. *

    155,666        4,550,117   

SYNNEX Corp.

    34,811        3,695,884   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

    133,197        3,776,135   

Teradyne, Inc.

    52,410        1,103,755   
   

 

 

 
      37,940,552   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—0.7%

   

Landstar System, Inc.

    16,285        1,127,411   

Virgin America, Inc. * (a)

    32,977        1,836,489   
   

 

 

 
      2,963,900   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.5%

   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    33,038        1,050,278   

Pure Cycle Corp. *

    160,848        773,679   
   

 

 

 
      1,823,957   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $308,744,859)

      392,393,576   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—4.8%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    19,567,739        19,567,739   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $19,567,739)

      19,567,739   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—101.6%
(Cost $328,312,598)

      411,961,315   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(1.6)%

      (6,450,538
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 405,510,777   
   

 

 

 

 

PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2016, the market value of securities on loan was $18,968,473.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        29   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock *

   $ 392,393,576       $ 392,393,576       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     19,567,739         19,567,739                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 411,961,315       $ 411,961,315       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for industry and security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

30      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—104.5%

   

COMMON STOCK—98.4%

   

Basic Industries—7.4%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

    343,154      $ 3,458,992   

American Vanguard Corp.

    185,219        3,120,940   

Compass Minerals International, Inc. (a)

    31,420        2,341,733   

Dominion Diamond Corp.

    229,168        2,009,803   

Fibria Celulose SA — Sponsored ADR

    348,303        2,389,359   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    382,222        3,933,064   

Goldcorp, Inc.

    101,541        1,547,485   

Monsanto Co. †

    34,926        3,719,619   

Mosaic Co., (The)

    130,805        3,933,306   

Nexeo Solutions, Inc. *

    257,041        2,300,517   

POSCO — ADR

    106,260        5,416,072   

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.

    167,257        3,027,352   

Praxair, Inc.

    40,879        4,988,873   

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. †

    42,041        3,030,315   

Rio Tinto PLC — ADR (a)

    140,996        4,253,849   

Silver Wheaton Corp.

    114,397        2,897,676   

UFP Technologies, Inc. * †

    160,490        3,986,572   

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. *

    71,555        781,381   

US Silica Holdings, Inc.

    105,430        4,138,128   
   

 

 

 
      61,275,036   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—8.5%

   

Actuant Corp., Class A †

    137,713        3,281,701   

AECOM Technology Corp. * †

    90,992        2,805,283   

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. *

    124,378        2,235,073   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

    138,104        1,491,523   

CECO Environmental Corp.

    232,958        2,560,208   

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV †

    87,149        2,595,297   

Colfax Corp. *

    107,660        3,195,349   

Crane Co. †

    40,105        2,579,554   

Fluor Corp. †

    86,320        4,480,008   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    138,071        1,988,222   

Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc.

    58,549        1,643,470   

Graham Corp.

    111,797        2,136,441   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. *

    83,804        4,415,633   

KEYW Holding Corp., (The) * (a)

    242,377        2,416,499   

LSB Industries, Inc. * (a)

    144,081        1,728,972   

NCI Building Systems, Inc. *

    201,895        3,056,690   

NOW, Inc. *

    39,099        807,003   

Preformed Line Products Co. †

    48,826        2,141,508   

Quanta Services, Inc. *

    95,929        2,468,253   

Raven Industries, Inc.

    188,682        4,630,256   

Safran SA — ADR (a)

    171,358        2,986,770   

United Technologies Corp.

    49,134        5,229,332   

WABCO Holdings, Inc. *

    25,817        2,756,223   

WESCO International, Inc. *

    52,305        3,251,279   

World Fuel Services Corp. †

    82,802        3,691,313   
   

 

 

 
      70,571,860   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Communications—3.5%

   

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. *

    711,135      $ 1,194,707   

Baidu, Inc. — Sponsored ADR *

    16,821        2,877,568   

Blucora, Inc. *

    179,177        1,854,482   

GoldMoney, Inc. *

    407,264        1,329,182   

Great Elm Capital Group, Inc. * (a)

    102,613        487,412   

Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. *

    19,518        436,813   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C *

    74,291        2,121,751   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C *

    138,628        4,273,901   

Priceline Group, Inc., (The) *

    2,421        3,429,903   

Verisign, Inc * (a)

    56,263        4,188,780   

Videocon d2h Ltd. ADR * (a)

    425,679        4,154,627   

Yandex NV, Class A *

    131,305        2,893,962   
   

 

 

 
      29,243,088   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.0%

   

CLARCOR Inc.

    43,005        2,815,537   

Gentherm, Inc. *

    79,531        2,622,137   

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    31,077        2,631,911   
   

 

 

 
      8,069,585   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—2.8%

   

Coca-Cola Co., (The)

    70,106        3,044,704   

Kraft Heinz Co., (The)

    37,771        3,380,127   

Leucadia National Corp. †

    270,158        5,173,526   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. *

    95,160        4,658,082   

Procter & Gamble Co.

    38,648        3,374,357   

Unilever NV †

    75,245        3,469,547   
   

 

 

 
      23,100,343   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—14.3%

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — Sponsored ADR *

    38,532        3,744,925   

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

    145,794        6,802,748   

Biglari Holdings, Inc. *

    4,040        1,779,984   

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    233,829        2,894,803   

CarMax, Inc. * (a)

    38,739        2,283,664   

CDI Corp.

    254,281        1,449,402   

Cenveo, Inc. *

    69,639        459,617   

Civeo Corp. * (a)

    518,140        595,861   

comScore. Inc, *

    48,525        1,496,996   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. — ADR *

    33,071        1,565,912   

CVS Health Corp.

    55,898        5,220,873   

Deluxe Corp.

    58,082        3,959,450   

DSW, Inc., Class A

    137,104        3,283,641   

eBay, Inc. *

    133,731        4,300,789   

Eros International PLC * (a)

    265,228        4,431,960   

ICF International, Inc. *

    55,525        2,323,721   

IHS Markit Ltd. *

    59,472        2,219,495   

International Game Technology PLC

    109,095        2,490,639   

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

    165,850        2,885,790   

JD.com, Inc. — ADR *

    115,263        2,928,833   

Landauer, Inc.

    139,326        6,620,772   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        31   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A * †

    135,885      $ 2,871,250   

Liberty Ventures, Series A * †

    19,315        744,400   

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

    37,284        2,664,315   

New Media Investment Group, Inc.

    174,921        2,795,238   

Nomad Foods Ltd. *

    308,143        3,602,192   

PRGX Global, Inc. *

    161,819        779,968   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    37,942        3,931,550   

Realogy Holdings Corp. †

    181,661        4,875,781   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

    38,649        2,449,187   

Tailored Brands, Inc.

    239,083        3,151,114   

Team, Inc. *

    23,250        738,653   

Tetra Tech, Inc.

    92,723        3,273,122   

Tiffany & Co. (a)

    30,571        2,181,852   

Time Warner, Inc. †

    95,420        7,481,882   

Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. *

    88,833        1,665,619   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class A

    147,600        3,622,104   

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    51,865        4,186,024   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    37,966        2,687,613   

Wynn Resorts Ltd. (a)

    15,452        1,380,173   
   

 

 

 
      118,821,912   
   

 

 

 

Energy—10.8%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    79,172        4,233,327   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    82,206        4,038,781   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. †

    94,023        2,919,414   

Core Laboratories NV (a)

    23,067        2,578,429   

Dawson Geophysical Co. *

    440,495        3,175,969   

Energen Corp.

    83,353        4,792,798   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    58,145        5,145,251   

EQT Corp.

    91,155        6,517,583   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    87,100        7,589,894   

Gazprom OAO — Sponsored ADR

    307,798        1,258,894   

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.

    67,102        590,498   

Halliburton Co. †

    67,251        2,892,466   

Kosmos Energy Ltd. *

    625,688        3,885,522   

Lukoil PJSC — Sponsored ADR

    26,865        1,201,940   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    174,829        2,625,932   

Mitcham Industries, Inc. *

    381,308        1,037,158   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    104,422        3,502,314   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    57,201        4,395,897   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    141,005        4,773,019   

Phillips 66

    67,327        5,281,803   

Rice Energy, Inc. *

    190,662        5,014,411   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    62,528        4,939,712   

TransGlobe Energy Corp.

    339,486        628,049   

Valero Energy Corp.

    68,543        3,793,855   

Viper Energy Partners LP (a)

    188,644        3,037,168   
   

 

 

 
      89,850,084   
   

 

 

 

Finance—24.5%

   

AerCap Holdings NV * †

    87,012        3,477,870   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. *

    21,542        3,060,041   

AMERCO

    6,118        2,102,818   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

American International Group, Inc. †

    103,988      $ 6,221,602   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    31,057        3,139,242   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. †

    71,095        3,267,526   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. †

    41,628        2,367,384   

Bank of America Corp. †

    971,044        15,672,650   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    79,415        11,951,163   

BGC Partners Inc., Class A

    272,797        2,392,430   

Boulevard Acquisition, Corp. II *

    227,000        2,304,050   

Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A †

    33,518        1,470,770   

Charles Schwab Corp., (The)

    166,578        5,240,544   

Chubb Ltd. †

    53,905        6,842,162   

Citigroup, Inc.

    314,413        15,010,077   

CNinsure, Inc. — ADR *

    141,405        1,166,591   

Discover Financial Services

    83,251        4,995,060   

East West Bancorp, Inc.

    119,064        4,422,037   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. †

    47,212        3,108,910   

Ezcorp, Inc., Class A *

    379,316        3,925,921   

Flushing Financial Corp. †

    94,950        2,201,891   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    154,513        10,429,628   

Lake Sunapee Bank Group (a)

    26,815        480,525   

Lazard Ltd., Class A

    129,086        4,780,055   

Loews Corp.

    86,512        3,621,392   

Maiden Holdings Ltd. †

    693,276        9,574,142   

Morgan Stanley

    243,460        7,805,328   

National Western Life Group, Inc., Class A †

    8,322        1,614,551   

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. *

    205,332        3,260,672   

New Residential Investment Corp.

    319,713        4,587,882   

NorthStar Asset Management Group, Inc.

    232,302        2,887,514   

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., Class A *

    298,489        4,939,993   

Renaissance Holdings Ltd. †

    27,921        3,342,144   

Sprott, Inc.

    3,861,234        7,154,795   

State Street Corp.

    87,717        6,161,242   

Stifel Financial Corp. *

    66,362        2,611,345   

SVB Financial Group *

    41,158        4,571,007   

Synchrony Financial

    187,058        5,205,824   

Unum Group

    148,577        5,290,827   

Validus Holdings Ltd. †

    116,153        5,899,411   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

    5,233        4,312,097   
   

 

 

 
      202,871,113   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—11.0%

   

Amag Pharmaceuticals, Inc. * (a)

    155,640        3,708,901   

Carriage Services Inc. (a)

    84,546        1,981,758   

ChemoCentryx, Inc. *

    220,593        1,102,965   

Cigna Corp.

    36,857        4,727,279   

Clovis Oncology, Inc. * (a)

    96,695        2,395,135   

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. *

    289,875        1,545,034   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. * †

    73,427        4,745,587   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

32      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

   

Dynavax Technologies Corp. * (a)

    105,017      $ 1,644,566   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA — ADR † (a)

    140,873        6,236,448   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    50,358        3,947,060   

HCA Holdings, Inc. *

    47,935        3,621,489   

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. * (a)

    353,798        1,450,572   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    45,727        6,261,398   

LHC Group, Inc. * †

    96,741        3,440,110   

McKesson Corp.

    27,301        5,040,311   

MEDNAX, Inc. *

    36,649        2,410,405   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    140,442        8,818,353   

Mylan NV *

    101,075        4,281,537   

PharMerica Corp. * †

    126,374        3,192,207   

Sanofi — ADR †

    70,660        2,718,290   

Shire PLC — ADR

    15,911        2,978,221   

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    203,636        2,231,851   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR †

    92,494        4,660,773   

Theravance Biopharma, Inc. * (a)

    81,355        2,307,228   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    41,554        5,653,422   
   

 

 

 
      91,100,900   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.3%

  

 

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    178,700        2,655,482   
   

 

 

 

Technology—11.1%

  

 

Alliance Data Systems Corp. *

    20,792        4,253,627   

ARRIS International PLC *

    157,185        4,412,183   

CDW Corp.

    43,354        1,935,756   

Citrix Systems, Inc. *

    44,192        3,853,542   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A * †

    44,064        2,531,036   

CommerceHub, Inc., Series A * †

    1,930        28,545   

CommerceHub, Inc., Series C * †

    3,862        56,887   

CSG Systems International, Inc. †

    117,846        5,152,227   

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Class A †

    123,708        6,054,270   

Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. *

    120,746        2,402,845   

First Data Corp., Class A *

    223,048        3,104,828   

First Solar, Inc. *

    52,817        1,997,539   

Flextronics International Ltd. * †

    312,145        4,132,800   

Generac Holdings, Inc. *

    67,062        2,501,413   

Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd. * (a)

    120,202        2,559,101   

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A †

    106,733        3,731,386   

International Business Machines Corp. †

    45,995        7,307,686   

Methode Electronics, Inc.

    59,952        2,197,241   

Microsoft Corp.

    137,515        7,901,612   

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. *

    199,904        1,953,062   

Oracle Corp. †

    107,802        4,443,598   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

    137,360        5,102,924   

Quality Systems, Inc.

    202,152        2,379,329   

Science Applications International Corp.

    59,569        3,801,098   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (a)

    350,832        4,967,781   

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A *

    43,657        3,054,244   
   

 

 

 
      91,816,560   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Transportation—2.3%

  

 

AP Moeller — Maersk AS — ADR

    326,848      $ 2,439,920   

ArcBest Corp.

    96,868        1,773,644   

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. *

    70,629        2,623,161   

CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    65,150        4,522,713   

Costamare, Inc.

    187,407        1,649,182   

Dorian LPG Ltd. * (a)

    275,060        1,466,070   

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    41,878        2,121,121   

XPO Logistics, Inc. * (a)

    63,367        2,268,539   
   

 

 

 
      18,864,350   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.9%

  

 

AES Corp. †

    402,968        4,863,824   

Cheniere Energy, Inc. *

    65,332        2,802,743   
   

 

 

 
      7,666,567   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $694,988,085)

      815,906,880   
   

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND—0.7%

  

 

Alerian MLP ETF (a)

    478,522        5,995,881   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $4,903,840)

      5,995,881   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—5.4%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    44,336,019        44,336,019   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $44,336,019)

      44,336,019   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—104.5% (Cost $744,227,944)

      866,238,780   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(26.6%)

  

COMMON STOCK—(24.5%)

  

Basic Industries—(0.5%)

  

Kennady Diamonds, Inc. *

    (45,900     (143,503

NewMarket Corp.

    (8,597     (3,730,668

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp. *

    (171,865     (128,899
   

 

 

 
      (4,003,070
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—(1.1%)

  

Applied Energetics, Inc. *

    (238,070     (18,927

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

    (25,628     (977,708

DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp. * ‡

    (72,185     (7

Griffon Corp.

    (199,972     (3,423,521

Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc. *

    (140,141     (2,260,474

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. *

    (96,172     (2,707,242
   

 

 

 
      (9,387,879
   

 

 

 

Communications—(0.9%)

  

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. *

    (38,500     (2,954,490

Criteo SA — Sponsored ADR *

    (35,248     (1,299,946
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        33   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Communications—(continued)

  

CTC Communications Group, Inc. * ‡

    (98,900   $ 0   

Interliant, Inc. * ‡

    (600     0   

Lumos Networks Corp. *

    (124,658     (1,714,048

Match Group. Inc, *

    (102,168     (1,654,100
   

 

 

 
      (7,622,584
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—(0.9%)

  

Qsound Labs, Inc. * ‡

    (4,440     0   

Sodastream International Ltd. *

    (56,044     (1,589,968

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (14,522     (3,078,809

Universal Electronics Inc. *

    (37,501     (2,776,199
   

 

 

 
      (7,444,976
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(1.9%)

   

Amish Naturals, Inc. * ‡

    (25,959     0   

Amplify Snack Brands, Inc. *

    (160,969     (2,725,205

Industrias Bachoco SAB de CV — Sponsored ADR

    (53,575     (2,852,869

Inventure Foods, Inc. *

    (203,980     (1,976,566

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

    (87,809     (3,507,091

National Beverage Corp. *

    (50,032     (2,488,091

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    (10,700     (2,362,118

Valence Technology, Inc. * ‡

    (27,585     (3
   

 

 

 
      (15,911,943
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(4.7%)

   

Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. *

    (79,363     (2,718,183

Cimpress NV *

    (47,657     (4,730,910

Corporate Resource Services, Inc. *

    (218,896     (394

Foot Locker, Inc.

    (36,262     (2,380,238

Jamba, Inc. *

    (111,749     (1,221,417

LifeLock, Inc. *

    (194,084     (3,229,558

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *

    (17,159     (1,312,835

Netflix, Inc. *

    (98,312     (9,580,504

Quotient Technology, Inc. *

    (168,741     (2,186,883

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. *

    (66,626     (3,348,623

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

    (33,396     (2,046,841

TripAdvisor, Inc. *

    (47,027     (2,868,647

Wayfair, Inc., Class A *

    (48,407     (1,864,154

Wingstop, Inc.

    (51,177     (1,550,151
   

 

 

 
      (39,039,338
   

 

 

 

Energy—(0.2%)

   

Beard Co. *

    (9,710     (5

Ultra Petroleum Corp. *

    (468,070     (1,919,087
   

 

 

 
      (1,919,092
   

 

 

 

Finance—(0.5%)

   

RLI Corp.

    (52,791     (3,747,105
   

 

 

 
      (3,747,105
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(5.0%)

   

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. *

    (279,660     (6,118,961

Blueprint Medicines Corp. *

    (60,134     (1,676,536

BodyTel Scientific, Inc. * ‡

    (4,840     0   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

   

CareView Communications, Inc. *

    (207,465   $ (34,232

Corindus Vascular Robotics, Inc. *

    (624,000     (730,080

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. *

    (233,757     (2,844,823

DexCom, Inc. *

    (17,340     (1,579,501

Endologix, Inc. *

    (213,502     (2,596,184

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC — ADR *

    (24,950     (2,039,663

Immunomedics, Inc. *

    (590,744     (1,636,361

Inogen, Inc. *

    (54,158     (3,142,247

Insulet Corp. *

    (96,555     (4,087,173

Intersect ENT, Inc. *

    (98,020     (1,544,795

Organovo Holdings, Inc. *

    (393,043     (1,517,146

Penumbra Inc. *

    (28,839     (2,034,880

Radius Health, Inc. *

    (45,331     (2,485,952

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (168,403     (796,546

Wright Medical Group NV *

    (184,965     (4,579,733

Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc. *

    (48,269     (1,840,014
   

 

 

 
      (41,284,827
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(0.4%)

  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    (32,932     (3,263,232
   

 

 

 
      (3,263,232
   

 

 

 

Technology—(5.9%)

  

2U, Inc. *

    (86,168     (3,045,177

3D Systems Corp. *

    (173,294     (2,512,763

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *

    (385,574     (2,853,248

ANTs Software, Inc. * ‡

    (10,334     (1

Atlassian Corp. PLC Class A *

    (87,645     (2,583,775

Benefitfocus, Inc. *

    (37,700     (1,522,703

Box, Inc., Class A *

    (232,010     (3,187,817

Capstone Turbine Corp. *

    (33,777     (57,759

Cavium, Inc. *

    (34,283     (1,908,877

Consygen, Inc. * ‡

    (200     0   

Ellie Mae, Inc. *

    (25,259     (2,472,098

Ener1, Inc. * ‡

    (102,820     (10

HubSpot, Inc. *

    (43,223     (2,409,250

Inphi Corp. *

    (57,364     (2,470,667

Nestor, Inc. * ‡

    (15,200     (2

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (23,391     (3,114,979

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (36,974     (2,845,149

PROS Holdings, Inc. *

    (94,982     (1,869,246

Q2 Holdings, Inc. *

    (85,617     (2,424,673

RealPage, Inc. *

    (119,145     (3,066,792

Shopify, Inc., Class A *

    (44,199     (1,828,071

Tiger Telematics, Inc. * ‡

    (6,510     0   

Uni-Pixel, Inc. *

    (19,665     (28,908

ViaSat, Inc. *

    (27,747     (2,082,135

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (80,364     (6,814,064

WorldGate Communications, Inc. * ‡

    (582,655     (58

Xybernaut Corp. * ‡

    (34,156     0   
   

 

 

 
      (49,098,222
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

34      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Transportation—(0.3%)

   

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. *

    (54,663   $ (2,568,068
   

 

 

 
      (2,568,068
   

 

 

 

Utilities—(2.2%)

   

Avista Corp.

    (35,541     (1,443,675

California Water Service Group

    (53,420     (1,628,776

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    (30,598     (1,947,565

El Paso Electric Co.

    (65,507     (2,993,015

MGE Energy, Inc.

    (29,366     (1,613,368

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    (40,857     (1,374,429

NorthWestern Corp.

    (24,381     (1,409,709

ONE Gas, Inc.

    (24,589     (1,505,584

PNM Resources, Inc.

    (45,604     (1,449,751

Spire, Inc.

    (22,065     (1,427,606

WGL Holdings, Inc.

    (21,334     (1,340,629
   

 

 

 
      (18,134,107
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Proceeds $182,112,445)

      (203,424,443
   

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND—(2.1%)

  

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

    (46,499     (6,503,815

SPDR Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF *

    (112,536     (6,429,182

VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short Term ETN *

    (110,002     (4,118,475
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (Proceeds $16,804,468)

      (17,051,472
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD
SHORT—(26.6%)
(Proceeds $198,916,913)

      (220,475,915
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN††—0.0%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Put Options Expires 01/20/17
Strike Price $25

    (13,973     (125,757
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $5,670,254)

      (125,757
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—22.1%

      183,673,899   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 829,311,007   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2016, the market value of securities on loan was $42,872,689.
    Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
    Security has been valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc.‘s Board of Directors. As of August 31, 2016, short positions amounted to $(81) or 0.0%, of net assets.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        35   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 61,275,036       $ 61,275,036       $       $   

Capital Goods

     70,571,860         70,571,860                   

Communications

     29,243,088         29,243,088                   

Consumer Durables

     8,069,585         8,069,585                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     23,100,343         23,100,343                   

Consumer Services

     118,821,912         118,821,912                   

Energy

     89,850,084         89,850,084                   

Finance

     202,871,113         202,871,113                   

Health Care

     91,100,900         91,100,900                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     2,655,482         2,655,482                   

Technology

     91,816,560         91,816,560                   

Transportation

     18,864,350         18,864,350                   

Utilities

     7,666,567         7,666,567                   

Exchange Traded Fund

     5,995,881         5,995,881                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     44,336,019         44,336,019                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 866,238,780       $ 866,238,780       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Basic Industries

   $ (4,003,070    $ (4,003,070    $       $   

Capital Goods

     (9,387,879      (9,387,872              (7

Communications

     (7,622,584      (7,622,584                

Consumer Durables

     (7,444,976      (7,444,976                

Consumer Non-Durables

     (15,911,943      (13,549,822      (2,362,118      (3

Consumer Services

     (39,039,338      (39,039,338                

Energy

     (1,919,092      (1,919,092                

Finance

     (3,747,105      (3,747,105                

Health Care

     (41,284,827      (41,284,827                

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (3,263,232      (3,263,232                

Technology

     (49,098,222      (49,098,151              (71

Transportation

     (2,568,068      (2,568,068                

Utilities

     (18,134,107      (18,134,107                

Exchange Traded Fund

     (17,051,472      (17,051,472                

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (125,757              (125,757 )          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (220,601,672    $ (218,113,716    $ (2,487,875    $ (81
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

36      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—95.5%

   

COMMON STOCK—95.5%

   

Basic Industries—7.0%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,585,699      $ 26,972,740   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. * †

    1,720,553        78,095,901   

Crown Holdings, Inc. *

    351,367        19,054,632   

Ferro Corp. *

    1,255,268        16,745,275   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. †

    5,370,211        77,008,826   

Lintec Corp.

    362,400        6,812,573   

Packaging Corp. of America †

    332,044        26,108,620   

PPG Industries, Inc. †

    441,447        46,740,408   

Sealed Air Corp.

    1,014,947        47,834,452   

Stornoway Diamond Corp. *

    26,913,645        22,985,575   

Valspar Corp., (The) †

    406,019        42,798,463   

WestRock Co. †

    1,085,720        52,005,988   
   

 

 

 
    463,163,453   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—11.4%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    642,070        31,300,913   

BAE Systems PLC

    3,940,947        27,848,637   

Continental Building Products, Inc. *

    709,924        15,767,412   

CRH PLC

    904,872        30,385,819   

Danaher Corp. †

    524,173        42,672,924   

General Dynamics Corp. †

    335,302        51,039,670   

Haseko Corp.

    806,200        7,641,568   

Honeywell International, Inc. †

    270,003        31,512,050   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. †

    319,212        52,724,246   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    493,760        33,570,742   

KION Group AG

    337,645        19,214,572   

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    68,650        10,216,493   

Lockheed Martin Corp. †

    209,352        50,866,255   

Masco Corp. †

    695,755        24,685,387   

Northrop Grumman Corp. †

    160,805        34,101,916   

Raytheon Co. †

    380,946        53,381,963   

Safran SA

    674,451        47,286,530   

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    256,004        30,540,414   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. †

    282,493        34,958,509   

Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.

    1,800,000        8,151,140   

Textron, Inc. †

    1,294,449        52,878,242   

TopBuild Corp.

           0   

United Technologies Corp. †

    330,682        35,194,485   

Vinci SA

    456,504        34,683,808   
   

 

 

 
    760,623,695   
   

 

 

 

Communications—5.5%

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A * †

    85,320        67,390,002   

Baidu, Inc.—Sponsored ADR * †

    162,900        27,867,303   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    871,858        56,897,453   

DeNA Co. Ltd.

    573,300        17,035,720   

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C * †

    124,725        8,547,404   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C *

    517,926        14,791,957   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C *

    1,779,095        54,849,499   

Liberty Media Group, Class C *

    1        16   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Communications—(continued)

   

NetEase, Inc.—ADR †

    126,014      $ 26,711,188   

Priceline Group, Inc., (The) *

    13,544        19,188,191   

Verizon Communications, Inc. †

    784,857        41,071,567   

Vodafone Group PLC

    8,686,169        26,211,772   

Yandex NV, Class A *

    342,928        7,558,133   
   

 

 

 
    368,120,205   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.3%

   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. †

    630,497        33,466,781   

PulteGroup, Inc.

    1,220,417        26,080,311   

Tenneco, Inc. * †

    530,264        29,604,639   
   

 

 

 
    89,151,731   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—5.3%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    301,557        12,475,413   

Britvic PLC

    3,854,698        32,546,467   

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC

    761,070        29,263,142   

Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd.

    568,300        12,889,326   

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A †

    148,581        24,374,713   

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    416,679        39,042,822   

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

    153,313        12,453,615   

Hanesbrands, Inc.

    813,993        21,603,374   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    98,725        11,062,230   

Imperial Brands PLC

    1,110,150        58,230,883   

Nomad Foods Ltd. *

    852,420        9,964,790   

Ontex Group NV

    452,542        16,282,922   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    343,506        36,669,266   

Reynolds American, Inc. †

    505,059        25,035,775   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A †

    175,430        13,257,245   
   

 

 

 
    355,151,983   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—8.0%

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.—Sponsored ADR *

    329,345        32,009,041   

Babcock International Group PLC

    199,894        2,747,195   

CBS Corp., Class B non-voting shares †

    306,148        15,622,732   

CVS Health Corp. †

    345,381        32,258,585   

eBay, Inc. *

    1,661,467        53,432,779   

Foot Locker, Inc.

    431,674        28,335,081   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., (The)

    1,066,536        24,679,643   

ITV PLC

    9,063,393        23,878,023   

Liberty Braves Group, Class C *

    26,294        432,798   

Liberty SiriusXM Group, Class C * †

    559,435        18,590,025   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc. †

    301,896        23,113,158   

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    339,649        18,096,499   

Omnicom Group, Inc. †

    248,587        21,410,798   

Phoenix New Media Ltd.—ADR *

    733,440        2,611,046   

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

    793,754        34,247,535   

Randstad Holding NV

    465,906        22,043,099   

Robert Half International, Inc. †

    565,189        21,663,694   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

    398,079        25,226,266   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        37   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

 

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. †

    647,837      $ 31,595,010   

TEGNA, Inc. †

    865,338        17,531,748   

Time Warner, Inc. †

    452,584        35,487,112   

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    351,883        28,400,477   

WPP PLC

    893,725        20,634,232   
   

 

 

 
    534,046,576   
   

 

 

 

Energy—9.2%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    331,378        17,718,782   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    586,141        18,199,678   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. *

    426,959        40,667,845   

Energen Corp.

    463,448        26,648,260   

EQT Corp. †

    793,831        56,758,917   

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    571,986        16,358,800   

Inpex Corp.

    1,509,100        13,080,369   

Kosmos Energy Ltd. *

    2,061,427        12,801,462   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    3,735,345        56,104,882   

Newfield Exploration Co. *

    1,047,882        45,436,164   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    786,120        60,413,322   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    3,731,116        126,298,277   

Phillips 66 #

    458,092        35,937,317   

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.

    1        14   

Rice Energy, Inc. * †

    1,823,905        47,968,702   

RSP Permian, Inc. * †

    598,463        23,369,980   

Viper Energy Partners LP

    892,322        14,366,384   
   

 

 

 
    612,129,155   
   

 

 

 

Finance—16.5%

   

Alleghany Corp. *

    38,872        20,843,166   

Allstate Corp., (The) †

    611,576        42,174,281   

Ally Financial, Inc. †

    1,213,955        24,327,658   

American International Group, Inc. †

    307,899        18,421,597   

Aon PLC

    362,944        40,413,814   

Bank of America Corp. †

    2,815,138        45,436,327   

BB&T Corp. †

    689,429        26,543,017   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    313,739        47,214,582   

Capital One Financial Corp. †

    786,360        56,303,376   

Charles Schwab Corp., (The) †

    882,049        27,749,262   

Chubb Ltd.

    316,390        40,159,383   

Citigroup, Inc. †

    1,234,266        58,923,859   

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. †

    692,766        17,159,814   

Discover Financial Services †

    1,125,033        67,501,980   

East West Bancorp, Inc.

    658,820        24,468,575   

Fifth Third Bancorp †

    2,535,496        51,115,599   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The) †

    131,684        22,315,171   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. †

    2,789,718        27,925,077   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    842,707        56,882,723   

MetLife, Inc.

    498,350        21,628,390   

Morgan Stanley

    372,527        11,943,216   

Navient Corp. †

    2,148,146        30,890,339   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    513,178        29,851,564   

SLM Corp. *

    3,463,829        25,684,292   

State Street Corp. †

    281,298        19,758,372   

SunTrust Banks, Inc. †

    657,293        28,966,903   

Synchrony Financial *

    1,051,850        29,272,986   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. †

    783,713        25,756,728   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The) †

    240,062      $ 28,497,760   

Unum Group †

    356,134        12,681,932   

US Bancorp

    535,269        23,632,126   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    404,548        20,546,993   

Wells Fargo & Co. †

    1,039,117        52,787,144   

WR Berkley Corp. †

    349,533        20,751,774   
   

 

 

 
    1,098,529,780   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—9.9%

   

AbbVie, Inc. †

    476,501        30,543,714   

Anthem, Inc. †

    211,491        26,453,294   

Cardinal Health, Inc. †

    334,511        26,650,491   

Celgene Corp. *

    116,479        12,432,968   

CIGNA Corp. †

    331,641        42,536,275   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. *

    404,456        26,139,991   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    634,340        46,116,518   

Gilead Sciences, Inc. †

    465,658        36,498,274   

ICON PLC *

    60,073        4,613,006   

Johnson & Johnson †

    497,913        59,420,937   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    409,608        56,087,623   

McKesson Corp. †

    234,413        43,277,328   

Merck & Co., Inc. †

    855,257        53,701,587   

Novartis AG—Sponsored ADR

    232,916        18,346,793   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    751,450        26,150,460   

Roche Holding AG

    65,884        16,082,303   

Sanofi—ADR

    312,186        12,009,795   

St. Jude Medical, Inc. †

    219,528        17,105,622   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.—Sponsored ADR †

    479,687        24,171,428   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    298,467        40,606,435   

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

    187,508        22,600,339   

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    137,765        17,855,722   
   

 

 

 
    659,400,903   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.4%

  

 

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    1        20   

Boston Properties, Inc. †

    77,233        10,822,660   

SL Green Realty Corp.

    110,688        13,030,191   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    1        12   
   

 

 

 
    23,852,883   
   

 

 

 

Technology—19.3%

   

Alliance Data Systems Corp. *

    138,406        28,315,099   

Amdocs Ltd.

    650,824        39,127,539   

Apple, Inc.

    294,360        31,231,596   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. * †

    1,008,517        66,390,674   

Avnet, Inc. †

    398,730        16,619,066   

Broadcom Ltd.

    440,021        77,628,505   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. †

    3,200,268        28,738,407   

CDW Corp. †

    1,399,375        62,482,094   

Cisco Systems, Inc. †

    693,053        21,789,586   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    719,690        33,854,218   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

38      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

CoreLogic, Inc. *

    274,152      $ 11,245,715   

EMC Corp. †

    2,378,542        68,953,933   

EVERTEC, Inc. †

    688,058        11,738,269   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. †

    318,145        25,238,443   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    5,678,834        75,187,762   

Fortive Corp. †

    360,792        19,002,888   

Harris Corp. †

    644,754        59,949,227   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. †

    3,460,629        74,334,311   

Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd. *

    519,451        11,059,112   

HP, Inc. †

    3,292,239        47,309,474   

Jabil Circuit, Inc. †

    2,216,989        46,977,997   

Leidos Holdings, Inc. †

    767,080        31,074,411   

Microsoft Corp. †

    1,027,354        59,031,761   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    4,366,804        47,161,483   

Oracle Corp. †

    1,435,493        59,171,021   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. * †

    274,933        10,213,761   

Qorvo Inc. *

    575,176        33,032,358   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    63,212        91,687,035   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    478,094        30,392,436   

Texas Instruments, Inc. †

    733,814        51,029,426   

Total System Services, Inc.

    274,931        13,540,352   
   

 

 

 
    1,283,507,959   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—0.7%

   

Delta Air Lines, Inc. †

    717,736        26,376,798   

United Continental Holdings, Inc. *

    457,869        23,081,176   
   

 

 

 
    49,457,974   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—1.0%

   

AES Corp.

    2,353,637        28,408,399   

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

    2,306,144        37,428,717   
   

 

 

 
    65,837,116   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK—95.5%
(Cost $5,428,169,899)

      6,362,973,413   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—95.5% (Cost $5,428,169,899)

      6,362,973,413   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(47.8%)

  

 

COMMON STOCK—(47.8%)

   

Basic Industries—(2.9%)

   

Air Liquide SA

    (122,800     (13,502,833

AptarGroup, Inc.

    (215,682     (16,818,882

Balchem Corp.

    (193,993     (13,585,330

Ball Corp.

    (321,399     (25,451,587

Bemis Co., Inc.

    (322,462     (16,961,501

FMC Corp.

    (441,416     (20,720,067

Goldcorp, Inc.

    (1,105,536     (16,848,369

Ingevity Corp. *

    (285,499     (12,670,446

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    (63,247     (8,764,769

NewMarket Corp.

    (61,679     (26,765,602

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    (1,128,516     (18,286,537
   

 

 

 
    (190,375,923
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Capital Goods—(4.0%)

   

Actuant Corp., Class A

    (659,670   $ (15,719,936

Airbus Group SE

    (235,898     (13,818,736

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    (601,954     (17,061,113

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. *

    (710,332     (20,329,702

Caterpillar, Inc.

    (351,802     (28,830,174

Deere & Co.

    (337,859     (28,565,978

Flowserve Corp.

    (338,900     (16,392,593

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    (194,125     (12,338,585

GEA Group AG

    (167,005     (8,947,639

MTU Aero Engines Holding AG

    (128,063     (13,007,672

Rolls Royce Retained Shares ‡

    (5,413,725     0   

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

    (1,757,086     (17,765,521

Rotork PLC

    (1,494,244     (3,943,705

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    (300,619     (9,265,078

Toro Co., (The)

    (39,687     (3,855,592

TOTO Ltd.

    (292,100     (11,111,776

Wabtec Corp.

    (225,598     (17,283,063

WW Grainger, Inc.

    (82,316     (18,987,009

Zodiac Aerospace

    (362,950     (8,273,283
   

 

 

 
    (265,497,155
   

 

 

 

Communications—(2.8%)

   

58.Com, Inc.—ADR *

    (216,863     (9,867,267

CenturyLink, Inc.

    (591,390     (16,440,642

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

    (611,942     (21,748,419

CoStar Group, Inc. *

    (66,438     (13,769,276

Eutelsat Communications SA

    (325,154     (6,334,415

Frontier Communications Corp

    (3,403,978     (15,658,299

SES SA

    (588,823     (13,542,842

Sprint Corp. *

    (6,523,931     (40,317,894

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. *

    (382,789     (15,981,441

TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC

    (3,007,413     (8,332,753

Telefonica SA—Sponsored ADR

    (905,632     (9,110,658

Tribune Media Co., Class A

    (495,644     (18,874,124
   

 

 

 
    (189,978,030
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—(1.4%)

   

Autoliv, Inc.

    (231,989     (24,632,592

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Regestared Shares

    (257,964     (14,869,202

Dorman Products, Inc. *

    (107,429     (6,775,547

Ferrari NV

    (353,058     (16,996,212

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    (165,707     (8,696,303

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (86,233     (18,282,258
   

 

 

 
    (90,252,114
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(2.9%)

  

 

B&G Foods, Inc.

    (610,375     (28,980,605

C&C Group PLC

    (2,539,839     (10,737,302

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    (304,934     (22,668,794

Flowers Foods, Inc.

    (1,937,131     (28,882,623

Luxottica Group SpA

    (312,797     (15,099,102

McCormick & Co., Inc., non-voting shares

    (181,553     (18,511,144

Remy Cointreau SA

    (197,329     (17,243,589
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        39   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Non-Durables—(continued)

  

 

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. *

    (222,279   $ (21,056,490

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. Class H

    (3,622,000     (12,113,185

Under Armour, Inc., Class A *

    (419,604     (16,628,907
   

 

 

 
    (191,921,741
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(8.1%)

   

Acxiom Corp. *

    (856,191     (22,252,404

Aramark

    (762,499     (28,921,587

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

    (458,128     (18,783,248

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (84,872     (13,766,238

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

    (109,686     (14,402,869

Cheesecake Factory, Inc., (The)

    (340,274     (17,493,486

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    (33,578     (13,892,226

Cimpress NV *

    (241,733     (23,996,835

Coach, Inc.

    (407,669     (15,564,802

Dollar Tree, Inc. *

    (187,808     (15,531,722

Dollarama., Inc.

    (229,539     (16,960,751

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

    (103,206     (18,373,764

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    (771,515     (23,484,051

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *

    (238,604     (18,255,592

Medidata Solutions, Inc. *

    (630,489     (34,109,455

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (403,554     (22,764,481

Netflix, Inc. *

    (195,799     (19,080,613

Nord Anglia Education, Inc. *

    (609,006     (12,898,747

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. *

    (204,820     (7,350,990

Panera Bread Co., Class A *

    (86,070     (18,690,101

PriceSmart, Inc.

    (285,729     (23,866,943

Rollins, Inc.

    (502,105     (14,309,993

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

    (1,323,074     (17,213,193

SEEK Ltd.

    (1,687,596     (20,353,967

Television Francaise 1

    (1,612,824     (15,770,682

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    (533,091     (23,599,939

Wayfair, Inc., Class A *

    (300,587     (11,575,605

Whitbread PLC

    (183,303     (10,042,239

Zillow Group, Inc., Class A *

    (747,488     (25,287,519
   

 

 

 
    (538,594,042
   

 

 

 

Energy—(3.2%)

   

Apache Corp.

    (309,540     (15,384,138

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    (856,867     (21,104,634

Continental Resources, Inc. *

    (336,864     (16,155,997

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    (210,924     (12,752,465

Matador Resources Co. *

    (1,113,887     (25,563,707

Murphy Oil Corp.

    (1,161,991     (31,048,400

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    (792,472     (26,579,511

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A—ADR

    (763,732     (37,346,495

Southwestern Energy Co. *

    (728,669     (10,135,786

Sunoco LP

    (167,490     (4,987,852

Transocean Ltd.

    (967,279     (9,382,606
   

 

 

 
    (210,441,591
   

 

 

 

Finance—(7.0%)

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    (2,409,693     (10,152,034

Arch Capital Group Ltd. *

    (232,131     (18,788,683

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    (310,692     (7,736,231
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Bank of East Asia Ltd., (The)

    (3,818,136   $ (15,398,955

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    (85,053     (6,127,218

Bankinter SA

    (1,627,309     (11,942,932

BOK Financial Corp.

    (164,481     (11,360,703

Canadian Western Bank

    (496,474     (9,968,095

Community Bank System, Inc.

    (259,027     (12,290,831

Credit Acceptance Corp. *

    (23,703     (4,732,304

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

    (151,491     (11,043,694

CVB Financial Corp.

    (1,120,698     (19,937,217

Eaton Vance Corp.

    (610,727     (24,447,402

Financial Engines, Inc.

    (410,715     (13,130,559

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    (709,372     (25,977,203

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

    (360,818     (10,802,891

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    (629,300     (11,021,480

HDFC Bank Ltd.—ADR

    (127,963     (9,168,549

Hiscox Ltd

    (1,183,502     (16,228,466

Home Bancshares, Inc.

    (264,880     (6,198,192

IBERIABANK Corp.

    (158,747     (10,917,031

Mercury General Corp.

    (286,049     (15,532,461

Mobile Mini, Inc.

    (350,025     (10,465,748

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    (904,665     (13,669,488

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    (1,510,623     (9,509,227

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

    (199,848     (11,085,569

RLI Corp.

    (261,975     (18,594,986

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. *

    (173,467     (9,110,487

Trustmark Corp.

    (335,285     (9,508,683

UMB Financial Corp.

    (184,004     (11,187,443

United Bankshares, Inc.

    (635,365     (25,033,381

Valley National Bancorp

    (1,068,479     (10,310,822

Verisk Analytics, Inc. *

    (232,750     (19,329,888

Westamerica Bancorporation

    (444,734     (22,610,277

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

    (1,030,063     (10,815,662
   

 

 

 
    (464,134,792
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(3.9%)

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    (171,971     (14,956,318

athenahealth, Inc. *

    (98,862     (12,103,675

Baxter International, Inc.

    (234,879     (10,975,896

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. *

    (888,118     (15,284,511

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    (150,156     (11,418,178

Cooper Cos., Inc., (The)

    (95,579     (17,770,048

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. *

    (129,534     (14,917,135

Elekta AB, Class B

    (2,047,201     (17,491,180

Henry Schein, Inc. *

    (100,059     (16,388,664

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    (190,282     (21,440,976

Illumina, Inc. *

    (75,440     (12,699,570

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *

    (27,046     (18,564,915

Juno Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (523,749     (15,492,495

Seattle Genetics, Inc. *

    (253,374     (11,287,812

Sonova Holding AG

    (81,528     (11,289,607

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    (231,500     (10,207,207

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    (228,144     (18,669,024

Wright Medical Group NV *

    (498,706     (12,347,950
   

 

 

 
    (263,305,161
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

40      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(0.6%)

  

 

Equinix, Inc.

    (116,183   $ (42,830,863
   

 

 

 

Technology—(8.8%)

   

2U Inc. *

    (396,274     (14,004,323

ACI Worldwide, Inc. *

    (1,496,145     (28,576,370

Arista Networks, Inc. *

    (265,888     (21,185,956

Blackbaud, Inc.

    (464,917     (31,321,458

Cavium, Inc. *

    (214,373     (11,936,289

Cognex Corp.

    (642,059     (31,948,856

Dassault Systemes SA

    (295,144     (24,919,626

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. *

    (482,245     (22,704,095

F5 Networks, Inc. *

    (73,270     (8,992,427

Finisar Corp. *

    (848,620     (17,973,772

Guidewire Software, Inc. *

    (455,453     (28,024,023

Hexagon AB, Class B

    (695,622     (28,300,719

Infineon Technologies AG

    (703,046     (11,797,393

Itron, Inc. *

    (988,823     (47,097,639

National Instruments Corp.

    (1,302,847     (36,401,545

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (400,990     (43,667,811

Nidec Corp.

    (72,300     (6,524,347

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (276,892     (21,306,839

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    (150,384     (17,434,017

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    (1,281,678     (9,128,463

Unisys, Corp. *

    (1,154,790     (11,663,379

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A *

    (877,709     (35,915,852

ViaSat, Inc. *

    (179,367     (13,459,700

Wipro Ltd.—ADR

    (2,948,507     (30,428,592

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (365,427     (30,984,555
   

 

 

 
    (585,698,046
   

 

 

 

Transportation—(1.0%)

   

Heartland Express, Inc.

    (755,426     (14,375,757

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    (111,270     (8,833,725

Keikyu Corp.

    (631,220     (5,851,602

Kintetsu Group Holdings, Co., Ltd.

    (957,000     (3,647,848

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA *

    (244,880     (8,895,945

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    (150,728     (10,721,283

Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG, Registered Shares

    (100,625   $ (13,882,059
   

 

 

 
    (66,208,219
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Utilities—(1.2%)

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    (1,381,191     (30,179,023

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

    (504,513     (24,418,429

Sembcorp Industries Ltd.

    (3,028,700     (6,025,622

Spectra Energy Corp.

    (615,359     (21,919,088
   

 

 

 
    (82,542,162
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $2,955,855,142)

      (3,181,779,839
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD
SHORT—(47.8%)
(Proceeds $2,955,855,142)

      (3,181,779,839
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—0.0%

  

 

Philips 66. Call Options Expires 01/20/17 Strike Price $85

    (4,122     (680,130
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $1,595,012)

      (680,130
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—52.3%

      3,482,289,963   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 6,662,803,407   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR   —American Depositary Receipt
LP   —Limited Partnership
PLC   —Public Limited Company
*   —Non-income producing.
  —Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
#   —Security segregated as collateral for options written.
 

—Security has been valued at fair market value as

determined in good faith by or under the direction of

The RBB Fund, Inc.’s Board of Directors. As of

August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $0 or 0%

of net assets.

††   —Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at August 31, 2016, are as follows:

 

Reference Company

  Counterparty     Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
    Notional
Amount
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long

       

China

       

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A

    Goldman Sachs        1,389,911      $ 15,103,168      $ (372,600

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

    Goldman Sachs        552,020        25,786,482        14,870   
       

 

 

 
          (357,730

Short

       

China

       

First Financial Holding Co., Ltd.

    Goldman Sachs        (20,053,550     (10,565,153     167,048   
       

 

 

 

Taiwan

       

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.

    Goldman Sachs        (238,736,000     (24,015,073     (2,046,022
       

 

 

 
          (1,878,974
       

 

 

 
        $ (2,236,704
       

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        41   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 463,163,453       $ 456,350,880       $ 6,812,573       $   

Capital Goods

     760,623,695         554,871,207         205,752,488           

Communications

     368,120,205         324,872,713         43,247,492           

Consumer Durables

     89,151,731         89,151,731                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     355,151,983         224,140,155         131,011,828           

Consumer Services

     534,046,576         430,496,492         103,550,084           

Energy

     612,129,155         599,048,786         13,080,369           

Finance

     1,098,529,780         1,098,529,780                   

Health Care

     659,400,903         643,318,600         16,082,303           

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     23,852,883         23,852,883                   

Technology

     1,283,507,959         1,191,820,924         91,687,035           

Transportation

     49,457,974         49,457,974                   

Utilities

     65,837,116         65,837,116                   

Contracts for difference

           

Equity Contracts

     181,918                 181,918           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 6,363,155,331       $ 5,751,749,241       $ 611,406,090       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Basic Industries

   $ (190,375,923    $ (176,873,090    $ (13,502,833    $   

Capital Goods

     (265,497,155      (171,567,710      (93,929,445        

Communications

     (189,978,030      (170,100,773      (19,877,257        

Consumer Durables

     (90,252,114      (75,382,912      (14,869,202        

Consumer Non-Durables

     (191,921,741      (147,465,865      (44,455,876        

Consumer Services

     (538,594,042      (468,943,103      (69,650,939        

Energy

     (210,441,591      (210,441,591                

Finance

     (464,134,792      (389,881,698      (74,253,094        

Health Care

     (263,305,161      (212,898,989      (50,406,172        

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (42,830,863      (42,830,863                

Technology

     (585,698,046      (505,027,498      (80,670,548        

Transportation

     (66,208,219      (33,930,765      (32,277,454        

Utilities

     (82,542,162      (76,516,540      (6,025,622        

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (680,130      (680,130                

Contracts for difference

           

Equity Contracts

     (2,418,622              (2,418,622        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (3,184,878,591    $ (2,682,541,527    $ (502,337,064    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

42      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

RIGHTS—0.0%

   

Technology—0.0%

   

CVR Banctec, Inc. Escrow
Shares * ‡

    14,327      $ 0   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL RIGHTS (Cost $0)

      0   
   

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK—98.5%

   

Basic Industries—1.2%

   

Crown Holdings, Inc. *

    123,902        6,719,196   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    367,867        5,275,213   

Mosaic Co., (The)

    138,985        4,179,279   
   

 

 

 
    16,173,688   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—7.2%

   

CRH PLC — Sponsored ADR (a)

    131,896        4,458,085   

General Dynamics Corp.

    66,673        10,148,964   

General Electric Co.

    201,894        6,307,169   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    30,606        5,055,193   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    65,522        4,454,841   

Masco Corp.

    149,233        5,294,787   

Raytheon Co.

    154,104        21,594,594   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    88,115        10,904,231   

Textron, Inc.

    118,600        4,844,810   

Timken Co.

    158,893        5,381,706   

United Technologies Corp.

    105,012        11,176,427   

WESCO International, Inc. * (a)

    124,586        7,744,266   
   

 

 

 
    97,365,073   
   

 

 

 

Communications—2.6%

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A *

    17,605        13,905,309   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    110,973        7,242,098   

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

    111,101        6,522,740   

NetEase, Inc. — ADR

    38,503        8,161,481   
   

 

 

 
    35,831,628   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.0%

   

Brunswick Corp.

    67,906        3,122,997   

Lear Corp.

    62,497        7,267,776   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    101,474        5,386,240   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    133,465        10,830,685   
   

 

 

 
    26,607,698   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—2.6%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    255,492        10,569,704   

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

    86,611        7,035,412   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    109,095        11,645,891   

Reynolds American, Inc.

    133,495        6,617,347   
   

 

 

 
    35,868,354   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—7.7%

   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

    89,701        4,159,435   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    294,889        11,347,329   

CVS Health Corp.

    145,892        13,626,313   

eBay, Inc. *

    794,075        25,537,452   

Huron Consulting Group, Inc. *

    65,833        4,138,262   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., (The)

    427,190        9,885,177   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    92,536        7,084,556   

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

    92,797        6,631,274   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

   

Office Depot, Inc.

    462,947      $ 1,703,645   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    79,187        6,820,376   

Robert Half International, Inc.

    99,404        3,810,155   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

    59,769        3,787,562   

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. *

    306,703        3,143,706   

TEGNA, Inc.

    188,143        3,811,777   
   

 

 

 
    105,487,019   
   

 

 

 

Energy—8.2%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    73,465        3,928,174   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    241,306        7,492,551   

Cimarex Energy Co.

    39,928        5,277,683   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. *

    72,721        6,926,675   

Energen Corp.

    89,749        5,160,568   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    57,995        5,131,978   

EQT Corp.

    89,220        6,379,230   

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    129,652        3,708,047   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    444,725        6,679,770   

Newfield Exploration Co. *

    252,833        10,962,839   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    173,429        13,328,019   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    268,214        9,079,044   

Phillips 66

    189,704        14,882,279   

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.

        0   

QEP Resources, Inc.

    181,604        3,468,636   

Rice Energy, Inc. *

    263,366        6,926,526   

RSP Permian, Inc. *

    67,170        2,622,989   
   

 

 

 
    111,955,008   
   

 

 

 

Finance—27.5%

   

AFLAC, Inc.

    201,766        14,967,002   

Alleghany Corp. *

    17,252        9,250,522   

Allstate Corp., (The)

    162,633        11,215,172   

Ally Financial, Inc.

    288,467        5,780,879   

American Express Co. #

    101,816        6,677,093   

American International Group, Inc.

    226,926        13,576,983   

Aon PLC

    65,621        7,306,898   

Bank of America Corp.

    1,312,680        21,186,655   

BB&T Corp.

    396,208        15,254,008   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    258,398        18,501,297   

Chubb Ltd.

    161,475        20,496,022   

Citigroup, Inc.

    489,607        23,373,838   

FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    79,646        3,050,442   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    999,693        20,153,811   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The)

    65,696        11,132,844   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    631,087        42,598,373   

Loews Corp.

    267,141        11,182,522   

MetLife, Inc.

    192,605        8,359,057   

Navient Corp.

    474,236        6,819,514   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

    238,286        3,374,130   

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A * ‡

    1,465        0   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    157,023        12,464,486   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    167,953        9,769,826   

SLM Corp. *

    312,607        2,317,981   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        43   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

State Street Corp.

    148,663      $ 10,442,089   

Torchmark Corp.

    88,516        5,725,215   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)

    125,459        14,893,238   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    240,726        12,228,881   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

    18,379        15,144,664   

WR Berkley Corp.

    205,001        12,170,909   

XL Group Ltd.

    164,637        5,635,525   
   

 

 

 
    375,049,876   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—19.5%

   

AbbVie, Inc.

    119,756        7,676,360   

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. *

    232,268        2,998,580   

Amgen, Inc.

    76,440        12,999,386   

Anthem, Inc.

    29,007        3,628,196   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    112,049        8,926,944   

Cigna Corp.

    80,283        10,297,098   

Express Scripts Holding Co. *

    149,105        10,839,934   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    317,400        24,877,812   

Johnson & Johnson

    217,558        25,963,372   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings *

    95,966        13,140,624   

McKesson Corp.

    108,414        20,015,393   

Medtronic PLC

    162,098        14,107,389   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    485,173        30,464,013   

Novartis AG — Sponsored ADR

    202,952        15,986,529   

Perrigo Co., PLC

    49,009        4,459,329   

Pfizer, Inc.

    363,107        12,636,124   

Sanofi — ADR

    198,446        7,634,218   

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

    270,584        21,083,905   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    181,264        9,133,893   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    69,953        9,517,106   
   

 

 

 
    266,386,205   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.0%

  

 

TMST, Inc. ‡

    191,097        0   
   

 

 

 

Technology—20.0%

   

Alliance Data Systems Corp. *

    9,921        2,029,638   

Amdocs Ltd.

    122,642        7,373,237   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. *

    158,293        10,420,428   

Avnet, Inc.

    96,179        4,008,741   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    758,792        23,856,420   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    292,155        13,742,971   

CSRA, Inc.

    101,447        2,575,739   

EMC Corp.

    899,012        26,062,358   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    88,895        7,052,040   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    699,341        9,259,275   

Fortive Corp.

    131,662        6,934,638   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    1,227,915        26,375,614   

HP, Inc.

    577,945        8,305,070   

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    691,150        14,645,469   

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    82,585        3,345,518   

Linear Technology Corp.

    81,324        4,736,310   

Microsemi Corp. *

    113,172        4,522,353   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

Microsoft Corp.

    325,440      $ 18,699,782   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    772,923        8,347,568   

Oracle Corp.

    340,925        14,052,929   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

    85,902        3,191,259   

Qorvo Inc. *

    260,702        14,972,116   

Symantec Corp.

    643,422        15,525,773   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    171,836        10,923,615   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    60,562        4,211,481   

Total System Services, Inc.

    155,222        7,644,684   
   

 

 

 
    272,815,026   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $1,081,219,310)

      1,343,539,575   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—0.4%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    5,417,919        5,417,919   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $5,417,919)

      5,417,919   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—98.9%
(Cost $1,086,637,229)

      1,348,957,494   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—0.0%

   

American Express Co. Call Options Expires 01/20/2017 Strike Price $62.50

    (1,017     (508,500
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $649,870)

      (508,500
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—1.1%

      15,611,188   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 1,364,060,182   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $0 or 0.0% of net assets. These 144A securities have been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
    Security has been valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc.‘s Board of Directors. As of August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $0 or 0% of net assets.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2016, the market value of securities on loan was $5,247,102.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

44      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Rights

   $       $       $       $   

Common Stock *

     1,343,539,575         1,343,539,575                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     5,417,919         5,417,919                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 1,348,957,494       $ 1,348,957,494       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (508,500    $ (508,500    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (508,500    $ (508,500    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for industry and security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        45   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—95.4%

   

Basic Industries—2.5%

   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc. (a)

    11,200      $ 191,072   

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

    11,000        432,080   

Westmoreland Coal Co. *

    29,100        223,197   
   

 

 

 
      846,349   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—11.4%

   

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    4,300        156,004   

Engility Holdings, Inc. *

    6,200        186,000   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    36,000        518,400   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. *

    169,300        653,498   

KBR, Inc.

    22,700        333,236   

KEYW Holding Corp., (The) *

    15,800        157,526   

Landec Corp. *

    20,600        266,976   

Matrix Service Co. *

    15,800        292,142   

NN, Inc.

    10,200        181,050   

Orion Group Holdings, Inc. *

    38,500        229,460   

Primoris Services Corp.

    2,700        51,894   

SiteOne Landscape, Inc. *

    3,900        149,136   

Sterling Construction Co., Inc. *

    30,000        193,500   

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    17,600        408,144   

Woodward Inc.

    1,300        81,536   
   

 

 

 
      3,858,502   
   

 

 

 

Communications—0.3%

   

Bazaarvoice, Inc. *

    5,400        21,600   

Ooma Inc. *

    10,300        89,919   
   

 

 

 
      111,519   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—3.2%

   

Century Communities Inc. *

    20,000        393,800   

Libbey, Inc.

    38,100        675,513   
   

 

 

 
      1,069,313   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.6%

  

 

Callaway Golf Co.

    13,200        150,744   

Crocs, Inc. *

    22,200        191,808   

Freshpet, Inc. * (a)

    21,100        221,761   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    6,300        387,513   

Sequential Brands Group, Inc. *

    39,000        284,310   
   

 

 

 
      1,236,136   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—7.4%

   

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. *

    2,400        86,952   

ARC Document Solutions, Inc. *

    71,300        240,994   

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. *

    16,100        180,803   

Destination XL Group, Inc. *

    14,200        65,746   

ICF International, Inc. *

    17,900        749,115   

InnerWorkings, Inc. *

    28,300        251,021   

Korn/Ferry International

    7,300        174,032   

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    12,400        195,424   

MDC Partners, Inc., Class A

    26,100        322,074   

Titan Machinery, Inc. *

    23,100        247,401   
   

 

 

 
      2,513,562   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Energy—6.3%

   

Approach Resources, Inc. * (a)

    34,900      $ 115,868   

Bill Barrett Corp. *

    19,700        130,808   

Eclipse Resources Corp. *

    52,700        179,707   

Flotek Industries, Inc. * (a)

    7,800        120,900   

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    18,400        526,240   

Newpark Resources, Inc. *

    22,400        158,144   

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. * (a)

    31,400        202,844   

Synergy Resources Corp. *

    26,100        170,955   

TETRA Technologies, Inc. *

    86,300        522,115   
   

 

 

 
      2,127,581   
   

 

 

 

Finance—26.4%

   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    19,000        486,210   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    20,600        334,750   

Customers Bancorp, Inc *

    26,200        700,588   

FBR & Co.

    18,700        264,231   

First Foundation, Inc. *

    12,000        300,600   

FNFV Group *

    23,300        300,337   

Fulton Financial Corp.

    27,200        393,312   

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., (The)

    2,300        179,860   

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

    20,500        251,125   

Kearny Financial Corp.

    17,500        239,575   

Kemper Corp.

    18,100        677,845   

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    27,600        608,856   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    29,100        401,871   

Meridian Bancorp, Inc.

    35,100        548,262   

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

    26,100        624,834   

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

    33,700        535,493   

Popular, Inc.

    21,300        837,303   

Real Industry, Inc. *

    29,300        201,291   

State Bank Financial Corp.

    28,100        647,986   

United Community Banks, Inc.

    19,400        407,012   
   

 

 

 
      8,941,341   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—4.4%

   

Accuray, Inc. * (a)

    142,000        756,860   

Invacare Corp.

    7,600        90,212   

Trinity Biotech PLC — Sponsored ADR * (a)

    47,200        633,424   
   

 

 

 
      1,480,496   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—10.6%

  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    8,100        120,366   

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc., Class A

    35,800        418,860   

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.

    61,900        468,583   

Colony Starwood Homes (a)

    18,400        570,400   

Equity Commonwealth *

    20,000        625,800   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    14,900        105,939   

Geo Group, Inc., (The)

    19,300        386,772   

Gramercy Property Trust, Inc.

    57,700        558,536   

Seritage Growth Properties (a)

    4,400        195,800   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    17,500        155,750   
   

 

 

 
      3,606,806   
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

46      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—10.5%

  

Aerohive Networks, Inc. *

    32,200      $ 213,486   

Applied Micro Circuits Corp. *

    39,200        273,616   

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. *

    10,400        170,040   

CIBER, Inc. *

    165,000        199,650   

Digi International, Inc. *

    22,000        252,340   

Exar Corp. *

    87,800        798,980   

Generac Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    6,500        242,450   

Mercury Systems, Inc. *

    3,300        74,844   

Plantronics, Inc.

    1,700        86,105   

QAD, Inc., Class A

    8,200        189,994   

SuperCom Ltd. * (a)

    30,200        99,056   

Ultratech, Inc. *

    11,200        280,112   

Viavi Solutions Inc. *

    23,500        182,830   

Vocera Communications, Inc. *

    16,100        262,430   

Xcerra Corp. *

    42,100        246,706   
   

 

 

 
      3,572,639   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—3.7%

   

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. *

    11,500        166,520   

Ardmore Shipping Corp. (a)

    19,500        140,790   

Celadon Group, Inc.

    16,500        128,865   

Rand Logistics, Inc. *

    22,200        19,980   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc. (a)

    80,700        394,623   

Spirit Airlines, Inc. *

    6,300        251,937   

StealthGas, Inc. *

    43,700        154,698   
   

 

 

 
      1,257,413   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Utilities—5.1%

   

ALLETE Inc.

    5,200      $ 308,360   

Cadiz, Inc. * (a)

    16,800        130,536   

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    2,600        165,490   

Covanta Holding Corp.

    12,800        190,592   

NorthWestern Corp.

    4,200        242,844   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    7,900        251,141   

Portland General Electric Co.

    5,900        248,449   

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

    6,700        198,856   
   

 

 

 
      1,736,268   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $28,603,917)

      32,357,925   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—10.0%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    3,389,405        3,389,405   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $3,389,405)

      3,389,405   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—105.4%
(Cost $31,993,322)

      35,747,330   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(5.4)%

      (1,818,186
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 33,929,144   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income Producing
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2016, the market value of securities on loan was $3,208,419.
 

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

      Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock *

   $ 32,357,925       $ 32,357,925       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     3,389,405         3,389,405                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 35,747,330       $ 35,747,330       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for industry and security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        47   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

PREFERRED STOCK—0.7%

   

South Korea—0.7%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    2,283      $ 2,707,569   
   

 

 

 
      2,707,569   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK (Cost $2,256,392)

      2,707,569   
   

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK—97.2%

   

Australia—0.6%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    128,265        2,587,931   
   

 

 

 

Bermuda—0.7%

   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    54,966        2,791,723   
   

 

 

 

Canada—1.4%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    90,224        1,534,710   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    75,399        2,341,773   

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    137,641        1,988,941   
   

 

 

 
      5,865,424   
   

 

 

 

France—5.8%

   

Bollore SA

    453,693        1,642,307   

Cap Gemini SA

    49,888        4,874,529   

Havas SA

    323,274        2,706,271   

Safran SA

    91,611        6,422,952   

Teleperformance SA

    46,797        4,855,239   

Vinci SA

    46,505        3,533,311   
   

 

 

 
    24,034,609   
   

 

 

 

Germany—8.4%

   

Allianz SE, Registered Shares

    18,000        2,675,824   

Aurelius AG

    67,906        3,830,664   

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    32,236        3,441,223   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    18,483        2,071,038   

KION Group AG

    63,988        3,641,405   

Merck KGaA

    64,166        6,743,771   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG, Registered Shares

    16,346        2,951,775   

NORMA Group AG

    30,622        1,638,974   

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

    46,415        2,002,635   

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    49,974        5,961,730   
   

 

 

 
    34,959,039   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—1.2%

   

WH Group Ltd. 144A

    6,296,000        4,942,924   
   

 

 

 

India—0.5%

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    269,663        2,068,315   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—4.5%

   

CRH PLC

    190,100        6,383,604   

Greencore Group PLC

    332,752        1,535,146   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    87,733        5,964,967   

Medtronic PLC

    54,601        4,751,925   
   

 

 

 
    18,635,642   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Italy—0.4%

   

Prysmian SpA

    69,455      $ 1,715,871   
   

 

 

 

Japan—8.7%

   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    280,900        4,287,496   

Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd.

    75,300        1,707,841   

DeNA Co., Ltd.

    119,100        3,539,080   

Horiba Ltd.

    45,300        2,107,606   

Inpex Corp.

    208,100        1,803,741   

Lintec Corp.

    88,500        1,663,666   

Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co., Ltd.

    52,000        2,292,414   

Meitec Corp.

    22,200        713,200   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    96,200        4,229,825   

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

    140,700        2,274,223   

NSK Ltd.

    263,100        2,720,287   

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    658,800        3,017,122   

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

    1,318,000        2,106,274   

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    96,200        3,789,291   
   

 

 

 
    36,252,066   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—2.8%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    257,147        6,173,258   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    19,592        1,545,613   

Randstad Holding NV

    82,074        3,883,112   
   

 

 

 
    11,601,983   
   

 

 

 

Singapore—1.1%

   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    334,375        4,427,125   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—2.1%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    4,608        6,683,760   

SK Hynix, Inc.

    68,680        2,239,357   
   

 

 

 
    8,923,117   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—2.3%

   

Dufry AG, Registered Shares *

    9,490        1,110,419   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares

    5,385        4,333,938   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    17,513        4,274,928   
   

 

 

 
    9,719,285   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—0.9%

   

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

    599,000        1,656,881   

Pegatron Corp.

    845,000        2,038,798   
   

 

 

 
    3,695,679   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—6.6%

   

Babcock International Group PLC

    243,177        3,342,044   

BAE Systems PLC

    306,931        2,168,923   

Berendsen PLC

    108,552        1,748,222   

Imperial Brands PLC

    105,758        5,547,342   

ITV PLC

    737,961        1,944,200   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C *

    64,861        1,852,430   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

48      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United Kingdom—(continued)

  

Liberty Global PLC, Series C *

    33,595      $ 1,035,734   

Rightmove PLC

    26,130        1,407,374   

Standard Chartered PLC *

    124,926        1,052,967   

Vodafone Group PLC

    1,200,726        3,623,365   

WPP PLC

    168,072        3,880,429   
   

 

 

 
      27,603,030   
   

 

 

 

United States—49.2%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    53,472        2,212,137   

Allstate Corp., (The)

    37,566        2,590,551   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C *

    17,140        13,147,237   

Amgen, Inc.

    12,190        2,073,031   

Apple, Inc.

    20,005        2,122,531   

Bank of America Corp.

    352,802        5,694,224   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B *

    61,897        9,314,880   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. *

    181,713        8,247,953   

Brunswick Corp.

    85,597        3,936,606   

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

    105,267        1,446,369   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    35,484        2,540,654   

Chubb Ltd.

    47,626        6,045,168   

CIGNA Corp.

    12,923        1,657,504   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    53,811        1,691,818   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    171,059        11,163,310   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    58,685        2,760,542   

CVS Health Corp.

    58,747        5,486,970   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. *

    42,152        4,014,978   

Dow Chemical Co., (The)

    37,507        2,011,875   

eBay, Inc. *

    118,799        3,820,576   

EQT Corp.

    63,598        4,547,257   

FedEx Corp.

    12,526        2,065,913   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    229,063        4,617,910   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    169,001        2,423,474   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    194,954        4,187,612   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    18,020        2,103,114   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

    195,830        1,960,258   

Johnson & Johnson

    63,253        7,548,613   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings *

    37,585        5,146,514   

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    56,626        2,293,919   

Loews Corp.

    103,805        4,345,277   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    177,437        2,665,104   

McKesson Corp.

    15,118        2,791,085   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    107,566        6,754,069   

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    13,882        979,653   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    8,259        1,751,486   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    7,815        600,583   

Oracle Corp.

    38,065        1,569,039   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    168,221        5,694,281   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

    40,872        1,518,395   

Pfizer, Inc.

    133,171        4,634,351   

Phillips 66

    24,924        1,955,288   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    22,636        2,396,700   

PulteGroup, Inc.

    207,018        4,423,975   

Qorvo, Inc. *

    42,868        2,461,909   

Raytheon Co.

    34,785        4,874,422   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    67,573        2,977,942   

Tenneco, Inc. *

    54,895        3,064,788   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    54,064      $ 5,904,870   

United Technologies Corp.

    23,182        2,467,260   

Unum Group

    49,293        1,755,324   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    41,599        2,113,229   

WestRock Co.

    87,053        4,169,839   

WR Berkley Corp.

    64,093        3,805,201   
   

 

 

 
      204,547,568   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $360,754,158)

      404,371,331   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—97.9% (Cost $363,010,550)

      407,078,900   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—2.1%

      8,920,199   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 415,999,099   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $4,942,924 or 1.2% of net assets. These 144A securities have not been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        49   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted

Price
     Level 2
Significant

Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $ 2,587,931       $       $ 2,587,931       $   

Bermuda

     2,791,723         2,791,723                   

Canada

     5,865,424         5,865,424                   

France

     24,034,609                 24,034,609           

Germany

     34,959,039                 34,959,039           

Hong Kong

     4,942,924                 4,942,924           

India

     2,068,315         2,068,315                   

Ireland

     18,635,642         10,716,892         7,918,750           

Italy

     1,715,871                 1,715,871           

Japan

     36,252,066                 36,252,066           

Netherlands

     11,601,983         1,545,613         10,056,370           

Singapore

     4,427,125         4,427,125                   

South Korea

     8,923,117                 8,923,117           

Switzerland

     9,719,285                 9,719,285           

Taiwan

     3,695,679                 3,695,679           

United Kingdom

     27,603,030         2,888,164         24,714,866           

United States

     204,547,568         204,547,568                   

Preferred Stock

     2,707,569                 2,707,569           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 407,078,900       $ 234,850,824       $ 172,228,076       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

50      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—90.8%

  

COMMON STOCK—89.5%

  

Australia—0.7%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    299,899      $ 6,050,895   
   

 

 

 
      6,050,895   
   

 

 

 

Canada—0.9%

   

Barrick Gold Corp. †

    204,325        3,475,568   

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    165,429        2,390,483   

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.

     ^      2   

Stornoway Diamond Corp. *

    2,622,600        2,239,829   
   

 

 

 
      8,105,882   
   

 

 

 

France—5.5%

   

Bollore SA

    1,347,796        4,878,838   

Cap Gemini SA †

    120,743        11,797,732   

Havas SA

    766,786        6,419,107   

Safran SA †

    144,025        10,097,757   

Teleperformance †

    69,284        7,188,289   

Vinci SA

    107,591        8,174,442   
   

 

 

 
      48,556,165   
   

 

 

 

Germany—5.2%

   

Aurelius AG †

    101,427        5,721,627   

KION Group AG †

    76,432        4,349,563   

Merck KGaA †

    84,314        8,861,302   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, Registered Shares

    24,772        4,473,349   

Norma Group SE

    78,538        4,203,572   

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

    102,301        4,413,908   

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    115,181        13,740,705   
   

 

 

 
      45,764,026   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—2.0%

   

NewOcean Energy Holdings Ltd.

    10,453,101        3,094,482   

WH Group Ltd. 144A

    18,361,500        14,415,423   
   

 

 

 
      17,509,905   
   

 

 

 

India—1.4%

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    580,864        4,455,227   

Videocon d2h Ltd. ADR * †

    844,701        8,244,282   
   

 

 

 
      12,699,509   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—3.4%

   

CRH PLC †

    250,243        8,403,220   

Greencore Group PLC †

    445,695        2,056,206   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC †

    137,307        9,335,503   

Medtronic PLC †

    117,015        10,183,816   
   

 

 

 
      29,978,745   
   

 

 

 

Japan—9.2%

   

Amano Corp.

    389,833        5,608,748   

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    598,800        9,139,740   

Chiba Bank, Ltd.

    616,000        3,658,844   

Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd.

    81,800        1,855,265   

cocokara fine Inc.

    117,200        3,958,353   

DeNA Co. Ltd.

    270,700        8,043,903   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Japan—(continued)

   

Haseko Corp.

    422,100      $ 4,000,876   

Horiba Ltd.

    120,900        5,624,934   

Inpex Corp.

    557,153        4,829,214   

Lintec Corp.

    146,964        2,762,701   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    206,896        9,097,025   

NSK Ltd.

    595,300        6,155,023   

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    1,567,600        7,179,175   

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

    2,863,000        4,575,313   

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    132,200        5,207,321   
   

 

 

 
      81,696,435   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—2.4%

   

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV †

    592,459        14,223,014   

Randstad Holding NV

    146,647        6,938,211   
   

 

 

 
      21,161,225   
   

 

 

 

Russia—0.4%

   

PhosAgro OAO — GDR

    264,114        3,539,128   
   

 

 

 
      3,539,128   
   

 

 

 

Singapore—0.5%

   

Flextronics International Ltd. * †

    323,691        4,285,669   
   

 

 

 
      4,285,669   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—1.6%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    4,965        7,201,578   

SK Hynix, Inc.

    228,270        7,442,895   
   

 

 

 
      14,644,473   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—3.0%

   

Chubb Ltd. †

    104,412        13,253,015   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares †

    4,910        3,951,650   

Roche Holding AG †

    36,687        8,955,307   
   

 

 

 
      26,159,972   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—0.7%

   

Pegatron Corp.

    2,483,000        5,990,929   
   

 

 

 
      5,990,929   
   

 

 

 

Turkey—0.2%

   

Emlak Konut Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS

    2,001,492        1,969,056   
   

 

 

 
      1,969,056   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—5.8%

   

Babcock International Group PLC

    497,929        6,843,167   

BAE Systems PLC †

    628,473        4,441,093   

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC *

    84,375        3,244,219   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC †

    243,401        12,767,153   

ITV PLC

    1,677,149        4,418,544   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C * †

    135,900        3,881,304   

Rightmove PLC

    65,797        3,543,858   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        51   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United Kingdom—(continued)

   

Vodafone Group PLC †

    2,441,876      $ 7,368,714   

WPP PLC †

    222,170        5,129,438   
   

 

 

 
      51,637,490   
   

 

 

 

United States—46.6%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc. †

    108,613        4,493,320   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C * †

    32,108        24,628,441   

Amgen, Inc. †

    25,832        4,392,990   

Bank of America Corp. †

    759,943        12,265,480   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    177,244        26,673,450   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. * †

    423,688        19,231,198   

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP †

    424,933        6,896,663   

Brunswick Corp. †

    198,604        9,133,798   

Builders FirstSource, Inc. * †

    179,591        2,467,580   

California Resources Corp.

           1   

Capital One Financial Corp. †

    80,972        5,797,595   

Cigna Corp.

    27,391        3,513,170   

Cisco Systems, Inc. †

    123,540        3,884,098   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    260,628        17,008,583   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    120,280        5,657,971   

CVS Health Corp. †

    112,440        10,501,896   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. * † #

    109,412        10,421,493   

Dow Chemical Co., (The) †

    124,641        6,685,743   

eBay, Inc. * †

    161,114        5,181,426   

EQT Corp.

    162,121        11,591,652   

FedEx Corp. †

    28,564        4,711,061   

Fifth Third Bancorp †

    519,152        10,466,104   

Gener8 Maritime Inc. * †

    715,002        3,582,160   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. †

    396,031        5,679,085   

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    30,864        882,710   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. †

    279,718        6,008,343   

Honeywell International, Inc. †

    38,548        4,498,937   

International Speedway Corp., Class A †

    202,707        6,748,116   

Johnson & Johnson †

    138,922        16,578,952   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    79,825        10,930,437   

Leidos Holdings Inc.

    118,646        4,806,349   

Loews Corp. †

    253,040        10,592,254   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    465,154        6,986,613   

McKesson Corp. †

    38,138        7,041,038   

Merck & Co., Inc. †

    208,595        13,097,680   

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    31,057        2,191,692   

Nomad Foods Ltd. *

    503,953        5,891,211   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    9,911        2,101,826   

Oracle Corp.

    87,698        3,614,912   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    312,511        10,578,497   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. * †

    97,619        3,626,546   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    280,536        9,762,653   

Phillips 66 † #

    69,071        5,418,620   

PulteGroup, Inc. †

    365,205        7,804,431   

Qorvo Inc. *

    89,816        5,158,133   

Raytheon Co.

    58,869        8,249,313   

Rice Energy, Inc. *

    89,890        2,364,107   

SunTrust Banks, Inc. †

    162,176        7,147,096   

Tenneco, Inc. * †

    124,951        6,976,014   

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    38,888        4,247,347   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

United Technologies Corp. †

    55,799      $ 5,938,688   

Viper Energy Partners LP †

    225,332        3,627,845   

Wells Fargo & Co. †

    88,176        4,479,341   

WestRock Co †

    152,835        7,320,797   

WR Berkley Corp.

    49,281        2,925,813   
   

 

 

 
      412,461,269   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $705,493,475)

      792,210,773   
   

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS—1.3%

  

South Korea—1.3%

  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. —Pref

    9,356        11,095,934   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK (Cost $9,198,648)

      11,095,934   
   

 

 

 

OPTIONS PURCHASED††—0.0%

  

iShares MSCI Japan Exchange Traded Fund Put Options Expires 09/16/16 Strike Price $12.00

    58,085        290,425   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $2,029,490)

      290,425   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—90.8%
(Cost $716,721,613)

      803,597,132   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(41.6%)

  

COMMON STOCK—(41.6%)

  

Australia—(0.1%)

   

Blackmores Ltd.

    (6,045     (559,487
   

 

 

 
      (559,487
   

 

 

 

Bermuda—(0.4%)

   

Arch Capital Group Ltd. *

    (43,684     (3,535,783
   

 

 

 
      (3,535,783
   

 

 

 

Canada—(0.3%)

   

Goldcorp, Inc.

    (69,466     (1,058,662

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    (109,544     (1,775,057
   

 

 

 
      (2,833,719
   

 

 

 

Denmark—(0.5%)

   

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    (22,973     (1,746,915

Pandora A/S

    (24,323     (3,028,698
   

 

 

 
      (4,775,613
   

 

 

 

Finland—(0.8%)

   

Stora Enso OYJ

    (352,367     (3,110,002

Wartsila OYJ

    (106,033     (4,363,312
   

 

 

 
      (7,473,314
   

 

 

 

France—(1.7%)

   

Aeroports de Paris

    (33,365     (3,447,168

Air Liquide SA

    (15,548     (1,709,626

Essilor International SA

    (23,706     (3,019,692

Ingenico Group SA

    (34,615     (3,733,874
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

52      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

France—(continued)

   

Korian SA

    (195   $ (6,984

Societe Television Francaise 1

    (362,995     (3,549,475
   

 

 

 
      (15,466,819
   

 

 

 

Germany—(0.6%)

   

Axel Springer SE

    (24,070     (1,225,113

GEA Group AG

    (76,321     (4,089,056
   

 

 

 
      (5,314,169
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—(0.3%)

   

Bank of East Asia Ltd. (The)

    (571,211     (2,303,756
   

 

 

 
      (2,303,756
   

 

 

 

Ireland—(0.3%)

   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    (102,137     (2,520,989
   

 

 

 
      (2,520,989
   

 

 

 

Italy—(0.3%)

   

Luxottica Group SpA

    (45,524     (2,197,500
   

 

 

 
      (2,197,500
   

 

 

 

Japan—(3.7%)

   

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    (1,130,000     (4,002,196

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.

    (52,800     (2,364,715

Marubeni Corp.

    (472,600     (2,358,416

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

    (1,034,000     (2,394,236

Miura Co., Ltd.

    (111,900     (2,113,820

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    (21,700     (2,926,325

Nidec Corp.

    (31,900     (2,878,654

Pigeon Corp.

    (129,200     (3,436,410

Sanrio Co., Ltd.

    (68,300     (1,272,503

Shimano, Inc.

    (32,500     (4,734,411

TOTO Ltd.

    (55,000     (2,092,255

Unicharm Corp.

    (79,800     (1,939,328
   

 

 

 
      (32,513,269
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—(1.1%)

   

Airbus Group SE

    (81,017     (4,745,918

Ferrari NV

    (51,437     (2,476,177

Gemalto NV

    (41,974     (2,931,859
   

 

 

 
      (10,153,954
   

 

 

 

Singapore—(1.4%)

   

ComfortDelGro Corp. Ltd.

    (1,492,800     (3,096,751

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     ^      (3

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

    (993,200     (3,765,715

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

     ^      (2

Sembcorp Industries Ltd.

    (1,516,800     (3,017,686

Sembcorp Marine Ltd.

    (2,690,700     (2,509,250
   

 

 

 
      (12,389,407
   

 

 

 

Sweden—(0.8%)

   

Autoliv, Inc.

    (24,652     (2,617,549

Svenska Cellulosa AB, Class B

    (134,672     (4,139,230
   

 

 

 
      (6,756,779
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Switzerland—(2.4%)

   

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG Registered Shares

    (83   $ (5,712,236

Cie Financiere Richemont

    (99,240     (5,720,254

Nestle SA

    (60,125     (4,791,531

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    (1,598     (3,514,804

Transocean Ltd.

    (141,390     (1,371,483
   

 

 

 
      (21,110,308
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—(3.1%)

   

Aggreko PLC

    (109,478     (1,465,245

CNH Industrial NV

    (225,138     (1,648,010

Essentra PLC

    (392,237     (2,658,196

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC — ADR *

    (23,784     (1,944,342

Ocado Group PLC *

    (765,933     (3,065,645

Pearson PLC

    (384,130     (4,368,194

PZ Cussons PLC

    (395,799     (1,741,135

Regus PLC

    (904,187     (3,559,497

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

    (216,677     (2,190,775

Rotork PLC

    (349,270     (921,816

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    (70,928     (4,036,248
   

 

 

 
      (27,599,103
   

 

 

 

United States—(23.8%)

   

ACI Worldwide, Inc. *

    (175,588     (3,353,731

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    (25,106     (3,906,996

ANSYS, Inc. *

    (24,146     (2,296,043

AptarGroup, Inc.

    (45,302     (3,532,650

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    (36,922     (3,315,965

AutoZone, Inc. *

    (3,479     (2,580,722

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. *

    (108,171     (3,095,854

Ball Corp.

    (27,889     (2,208,530

Bemis Co., Inc.

    (84,635     (4,451,801

Blackbaud, Inc.

    (25,959     (1,748,858

BlackRock, Inc.

    (6,415     (2,391,576

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (13,429     (2,178,184

Caterpillar, Inc.

    (51,775     (4,242,961

Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (The)

    (33,439     (1,719,099

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    (7,711     (3,190,272

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

    (82,875     (2,945,377

Cognex Corp.

    (51,683     (2,571,746

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    (42,384     (3,150,827

Continental Resources, Inc. *

    (85,159     (4,084,226

Dollar Tree, Inc. *

    (32,400     (2,679,480

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

    (25,219     (4,489,739

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    (115,875     (4,243,342

Guidewire Software, Inc. *

    (48,823     (3,004,079

Heartland Express, Inc.

    (226,422     (4,308,811

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

    (51,738     (3,068,581

HSN, Inc.

    (41,111     (1,717,618

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    (33,515     (3,776,470

Insulet Corp. *

    (49,768     (2,106,679

Juno Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (53,717     (1,588,949

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    (182,891     (3,996,168

Kite Pharma, Inc. *

    (23,060     (1,328,717

lululemon athletica, Inc. *

    (28,744     (2,199,203

Matador Resources Co. *

    (147,259     (3,379,594
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        53   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

McCormick & Co., Inc., non-voting shares

    (26,394   $ (2,691,132

Mercury General Corp.

    (64,786     (3,517,880

Middleby Corp., (The) *

    (24,188     (3,099,692

MiMedx Group, Inc. *

    (367,607     (2,661,475

Mobile Mini, Inc.

    (129,569     (3,874,113

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (23,197     (1,308,543

Monster Beverage Corp. *

    (21,335     (3,283,243

National Instruments Corp.

    (131,750     (3,681,095

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    (100,434     (3,368,556

Netflix, Inc. *

    (62,513     (6,091,892

NewMarket Corp.

    (12,194     (5,291,586

NIKE, Inc., Class B

    (39,351     (2,268,192

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    (70,922     (5,044,682

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (9,708     (1,292,814

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (33,081     (2,545,583

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (5,092     (1,998,865

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    (27,164     (3,149,122

Seattle Genetics, Inc. *

    (53,178     (2,369,080

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

    (202,663     (2,636,646

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    (28,087     (2,102,593

T Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    (77,141     (5,364,385

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (13,900     (2,946,939

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. *

    (26,543     (1,394,038

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    (68,584     (3,036,214

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

    (117,882     (4,490,125

TransDigm Group, Inc. *

    (11,773     (3,357,542

UMB Financial Corp.

    (78,619     (4,780,035

VF Corp.

    (81,319     (5,045,844

Vulcan Materials Co.

    (14,066     (1,601,695

Wabtec Corp.

    (57,133     (4,376,959

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    (51,259     (4,194,524

Westamerica Bancorporation

    (68,402     (3,477,558

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (26,902     (2,281,021

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A

    (149,202     (3,098,926
   

 

 

 
      (210,575,437
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $354,087,131)

      (368,079,406
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(41.6%)
(Proceeds $354,087,131)

      (368,079,406
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
    Value  

OPTIONS WRITTEN††—(0.1%)

  

Diamondback Energy, Inc. Call Options Expires 09/16/16
Strike Price $80.00

    (400   $ (578,000

Phillips 66. Call Options
Expires 01/20/2017
Strike Price $85.00

    (554     (91,410
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $497,321)

      (669,410
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—50.9%

      450,068,007   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 884,916,323   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $14,415,423 or 1.63% of net assets. These 144A securities have not been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
^     Less than 0.5 shares
    Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
 

 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at August 31, 2016, are as follows:

 

Reference Company

   Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Short

           

South Korea

           

Kakao Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (32,032    $ (2,597,388    $ 253,202   

Paradise Co. Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (48,492      (730,001      (1,488
           

 

 

 
              251,714   

Taiwan

           

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (175,048      (2,227,137      (3,686
           

 

 

 
            $ 248,028   
           

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

54      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $ 6,050,895       $       $ 6,050,895       $   

Canada

     8,105,882         8,105,882                   

France

     48,556,165                 48,556,165           

Germany

     45,764,026            45,764,026           

Hong Kong

     17,509,905                 17,509,905           

India

     12,699,509         12,699,509                   

Ireland

     29,978,745         19,519,319         10,459,426           

Japan

     81,696,435                 81,696,435           

Netherlands

     21,161,225                 21,161,225           

Russia

     3,539,128         3,539,128              

Singapore

     4,285,669         4,285,669                   

South Korea

     14,644,473                 14,644,473           

Switzerland

     26,159,972         13,253,015         12,906,957           

Taiwan

     5,990,929                 5,990,929           

Turkey

     1,969,056                 1,969,056      

United Kingdom

     51,637,490         7,125,523         44,511,967           

United States

     412,461,269         412,461,269                   

Preferred Stock

           

South Korea

     11,095,934                 11,095,934           

Options

           

Equity Contracts

     290,425         290,425                   

Contracts for Difference

           

Equity Contracts

     253,202                 253,202           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 803,850,334       $ 481,279,739       $ 322,570,595       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Australia

   $ (559,487    $       $ (559,487    $   

Bermuda

     (3,535,783      (3,535,783                

Canada

     (2,833,719      (2,833,719                

Denmark

     (4,775,613              (4,775,613        

Finland

     (7,473,314              (7,473,314        

France

     (15,466,819              (15,466,819        

Germany

     (5,314,169              (5,314,169        

Hong Kong

     (2,303,756              (2,303,756        

Ireland

     (2,520,989              (2,520,989        

Italy

     (2,197,500              (2,197,500        

Japan

     (32,513,269              (32,513,269        

Netherlands

     (10,153,954      (2,476,177      (7,677,777        

Singapore

     (12,389,407              (12,389,407        

Sweden

     (6,756,779      (2,617,549      (4,139,230        

Switzerland

     (21,110,308      (7,083,719      (14,026,589        

United Kingdom

     (27,599,103      (6,798,732      (20,800,371        

United States

     (210,575,437      (210,575,437                

Options

           

Equity Contracts

     (669,410      (91,410      (578,000        

Contracts for Difference

           

Equity Contracts

     (5,174              (5,174        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (368,753,990    $ (236,012,526    $ (132,741,464    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        55   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—36.3%

   

COMMON STOCK—32.8%

   

Argentina—1.7%

   

Pampa Energia SA—Sponsored ADR * †

    5,129      $ 128,533   

YPF SA—Sponsored ADR

    3,357        57,035   
   

 

 

 
      185,568   
   

 

 

 

Brazil—1.6%

  

Minerva SA *

    26,900        78,388   

Tegma Gestao Logistica SA

    16,600        44,261   

Via Varejo SA

    28,700        55,015   
   

 

 

 
      177,664   
   

 

 

 

Canada—0.6%

  

Africa Oil Corp. *

    46,229        71,208   
   

 

 

 

China—4.1%

   

China Mobile Ltd.

    18,000        221,742   

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. *

    6,501        138,406   

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    36,000        24,230   

NetEase, Inc.—ADR

    248        52,569   

Phoenix New Media Ltd.—ADR *

    3,451        12,286   
   

 

 

 
      449,233   
   

 

 

 

Colombia—1.0%

  

Almacenes Exito SA

    22,500        110,520   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—1.4%

   

NewOcean Energy Holdings Ltd.

    228,000        67,496   

WH Group Ltd. 144A

    103,500        81,257   
   

 

 

 
      148,753   
   

 

 

 

India—3.3%

  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    12,378        61,268   

Essel Propack Ltd.

    20,179        67,517   

Gujarat State Petronet Ltd.

    22,463        50,855   

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    10,471        40,274   

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    6,166        43,124   

VST Industries Ltd.

    1,079        37,342   

Yes Bank Ltd.

    2,721        55,445   
   

 

 

 
      355,825   
   

 

 

 

Indonesia—2.1%

  

Gudang Garam Tbk PT

    22,500        109,128   

Indosat Tbk PT *

    229,000        107,034   

Surya Toto Indonesia Tbk PT

    20,300        8,532   
   

 

 

 
      224,694   
   

 

 

 

Israel—2.2%

  

Gazit-Globe Ltd.

    16,053        168,396   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.— Sponsored ADR

    1,333        67,170   
   

 

 

 
      235,566   
   

 

 

 

Malaysia—0.5%

  

7-Eleven Malaysia Holding Bhd

    159,000        58,025   
   

 

 

 

Mexico—0.5%

   

Grupo Televisa SAB—Sponsored ADR †

    1,916        52,364   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Netherlands—0.6%

   

Heineken Holding NV

    858      $ 69,164   
   

 

 

 

Philippines—0.1%

   

Philippine Seven Corp.

    4,080        12,274   
   

 

 

 

Russia—2.0%

   

PhosAgro PJSC—GDR †

    8,267        110,778   

Yandex NV, Class A * †

    4,966        109,451   
   

 

 

 
      220,229   
   

 

 

 

South Africa—2.8%

  

Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd.

    9,687        30,646   

Foschini Group Ltd. (The)

    1,440        12,819   

Imperial Holdings Ltd.

    2,004        21,514   

JSE Ltd.

    3,892        41,306   

Massmart Holdings Ltd.

    2,869        25,254   

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    691        113,265   

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. *

    6,169        60,271   
   

 

 

 
      305,075   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—2.7%

  

Koh Young Technology Inc.

    486        18,948   

KT Corp.—Sponsored ADR

    2,644        41,061   

KT&G Corp.

    1,204        126,227   

Mando Corp.

    90        21,059   

SK Hynix, Inc.

    1,620        52,821   

Woori Bank

    3,870        36,771   
   

 

 

 
      296,887   
   

 

 

 

Sri Lanka—1.7%

  

Distilleries Co. of Sri Lanka PLC

    87,561        160,707   

Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC

    11,801        30,834   
   

 

 

 
      191,541   
   

 

 

 

Thailand—0.4%

  

Krungthai Card PCL

    10,400        41,717   
   

 

 

 

Turkey—0.6%

   

Emlak Konut Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS

    54,052        53,176   

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS *

    4,020        13,473   
   

 

 

 
      66,649   
   

 

 

 

United Arab Emirates—1.1%

  

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    23,403        40,871   

NMC Health PLC

    4,343        77,276   
   

 

 

 
      118,147   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—1.6%

  

Liberty Global Plc LiLAC, Class C *

    5,641        161,107   

Ophir Energy PLC *

    17,638        17,083   
   

 

 

 
      178,190   
   

 

 

 

United States—0.2%

  

Kosmos Energy Ltd. *

    3,071        19,071   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $3,439,939)

      3,588,364   
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

56      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

PREFERRED STOCK—3.5%

  

Colombia—0.6%

   

Banco Davivienda SA

    7,464      $ 73,276   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—2.9%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    266        315,468   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
(Cost $312,745)

      388,744   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—36.3%
(Cost $3,752,684)

      3,977,108   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(1.0%)

  

COMMON STOCK—(1.0%)

   

China—(0.4%)

   

58.com, Inc. - ADR *

    (1,023     (46,546
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—(0.2%)

   

Nord Anglia Education, Inc. *

    (977     (20,693
   

 

 

 

United States—(0.4%)

   

PriceSmart, Inc.

    (567     (47,362
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $118,794)

      (114,601
   

 

 

 
          Value  

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(1.0%)
(Proceeds $118,794)

    $ (114,601
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—64.7%

      7,075,802   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 10,938,309   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depository Receipt
GDR     Global Depository Receipt
NVDR     Non-Voting Depository Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
Sponsored
ADR
    Sponsored American Depository Receipt
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $81,257 or 0.7% of net assets. These 144A securities have not been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
    Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
    Fair Valued Security
 

 

Contracts for Difference held by the Fund at August 31, 2016, are as follows:

 

     Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long

           

Brazil

           

Ambev SA

     Goldman Sachs         15,000       $ 94,187       $ (4,873

Banco Bradesco SA

     Goldman Sachs         2,150         19,697         (232

BB Seguridade Participacoes SA

     Goldman Sachs         4,600         42,676         (898

BR Malls Participacoes SA

     Goldman Sachs         7,420         28,886         (327

Cia de Gas de Sao Paulo—COMGAS, Class A

     Goldman Sachs         1,847         30,589         (540

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers SA

     Goldman Sachs         5,000         46,889         (2,218

Itau Unibanco Holding SA

     Goldman Sachs         2,000         22,712         (415

Via Varejo SA

     Goldman Sachs         20,400         44,833         (5,447
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        58,417         330,469         (14,950

China

           

51job, Inc.—ADR

     Goldman Sachs         2,638         88,136         (211

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         3,604         348,363         1,910   

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         20,000         51,586         2,447   

Baidu Inc.—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         1,500         259,950         (3,345

Bloomage BioTechnology Corp Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         15,000         24,220         (852

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         170,000         86,381         1,254   

Fu Shou Yuan International Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         93,000         61,888         (4,608

Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai, Class A”

     Goldman Sachs         12,700         36,839         (28

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A

     Goldman Sachs         7,600         82,584         (2,037

Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Class A

     Goldman Sachs         34,600         44,438         (740

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

     Goldman Sachs         3,868         180,686         104   

MGM China Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         54,800         81,274         2,915   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc.—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         826         35,303         (2,693

Phoenix Healthcare Group Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         10,500         15,600         2,718   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        57   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

      Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long(continued)

           

China(continued)

           

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         5,800       $ 25,694       $ 2,393   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         18,800         475,474         11,939   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A

     Goldman Sachs         38,900         212,523         (7,659

Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co., Ltd., Class A

     Goldman Sachs         41,404         139,534         (4,501
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        535,540         2,250,473         (994

Egypt

           

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

     Goldman Sachs         10,876         63,529         (3,662

Talaat Moustafa Group

     Goldman Sachs         56,319         37,863         (1,459
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        67,195         101,392         (5,121

Hong Kong

           

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         16,000         55,506         (2,784

China Resources Land Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         12,000         33,118         571   

Playmates Toys Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         380,000         62,728         910   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        408,000         151,352         (1,303

India

           

Bharti Infratel Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         7,866         41,238         41   

Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         3,422         13,817         912   

HT Media Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         10,836         12,342         1,057   

Persistent Systems Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         3,975         40,417         (3,351

Petronet LNG Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         3,464         16,614         1,628   

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         3,720         26,907         (809

Videocon d2h Ltd.—ADR

     Goldman Sachs         16,275         163,401         (4,557

SKS Microfinance Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         1,528         17,945         791   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        51,086         332,681         (4,288

Indonesia

           

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         182,200         168,343         (6,495

Global Mediacom Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         340,400         26,123         (2,979

MNC Land Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         103,300         11,437         (467
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        625,900         205,903         (9,941

Mexico

           

Gentera SAB de CV

     Goldman Sachs         72,200         143,071         2,847   

Grupo GICSA SA de CV

     Goldman Sachs         235,000         161,837         7,321   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        307,200         304,908         10,168   

Philippines

           

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         349,800         54,840         (2,667
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Russia

           

Alrosa PJSC

     Goldman Sachs         28,600         32,997         706   

Gazprom Neft PJSC

     Goldman Sachs         14,840         38,974         980   

Rosneft PJSC

     Goldman Sachs         14,400         77,119         584   

Sberbank of Russia PJSC—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         7,861         70,395         943   

Surgutneftegas OJSC

     Goldman Sachs         32,900         16,868         4   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        98,601         236,353         3,217   

South Africa

           

Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         18,831         66,074         (626

Astral Foods Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         5,302         53,143         (1,371

Capevin Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         92,805         65,126         1,578   

Foschini Group Ltd. (The)

     Goldman Sachs         6,205         66,813         (9,974

Grindrod Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         90,425         87,286         (9,103

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

58      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

      Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long(continued)

           

South Africa(continued)

           

KAP Industrial Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         41,323       $ 22,829       $ 281   

Petra Diamonds Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         108,180         163,903         (3,907

Remgro Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         5,682         111,566         (4,333

Tongaat Hulett Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         3,541         32,647         5   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        372,294         669,387         (27,450

South Korea

           

Advanced Process Systems Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         3,785         68,783         (2,537

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

     Goldman Sachs         3,690         96,110         1,106   

Hanwha Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         2,140         70,726         (116

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         495         116,918         (872

Koh Young Technology, Inc.

     Goldman Sachs         470         19,277         (838

Korea United Pharm, Inc.

     Goldman Sachs         1,368         24,735         (2,456

KT Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         2,891         86,150         (3,908

LG Chem Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         484         115,871         1,806   

LG Uplus Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         6,040         63,867         (478

Meritz Securities Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         18,310         62,190         (6,588

NongShim Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         228         73,787         (12,066

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         227         325,859         5,326   

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         525         55,514         (886

Tongyang Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         9,980         104,158         4,106   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        50,633         1,283,945         (18,401

Taiwan

           

Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         6,000         41,988         1,466   

Cleanaway Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         4,000         22,483         (534

Pegatron Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         59,000         148,901         (5,073

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         74,000         415,937         (870
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        143,000         629,309         (5,011

Thailand

           

PTT PCL—NVDR

     Goldman Sachs         2,700         26,858         207   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United Kingdom

           

Georgia Healthcare Group PLC

     Goldman Sachs         27,737         114,775         (9,951
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United States

           

Ferro Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         2,024         26,838         162   

Samsonite International SA

     Goldman Sachs         45,000         138,411         3,563   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        47,024         165,249         3,725   

Vietnam

           

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

     Goldman Sachs         5,590         37,835         1,217   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Long

              (81,543
           

 

 

 

Short

           

Brazil

           

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao

     Goldman Sachs         (3,400      (55,948      2,453   

Duratex SA

     Goldman Sachs         (18,086      (53,091      4,423   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (21,486      (109,039      6,876   

China

           

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (7,500      (14,760      349   

China Huishan Dairy Holdings Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (140,000      (54,526      765   

China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (16,000      (39,907      1,759   

China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (9,000      (15,484      (1,539

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        59   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

      Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Short(continued)

           

China(continued)

           

China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (306,000    $ (44,988    $ (3,048

China Pacific Insurance Group Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (8,400      (31,362      1,918   

China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (40,500      (78,346      5,784   

China Shipping Container Lines Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (170,000      (38,148      2,691   

Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (119,000      (52,026      (8,308

Dongfang Electric Corp Ltd.—Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (64,800      (53,234      2,671   

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (76,000      (61,062      (878

Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (96,000      (47,789      4,908   

Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (70,000      (46,221      3,548   

New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (14,000      (57,867      1,119   

Parkson Retail Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (626,000      (55,705      3,348   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (7,500      (38,786      111   

Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (354,000      (56,610      6,005   

Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (122,000      (56,641      2,567   

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (69,000      (50,010      2,210   

Tian Ge Interactive Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (75,000      (45,363      (2,255

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (60,000      (56,254      775   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (9,000      (32,499      2,385   

Yashili International Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (115,000      (26,251      1,424   

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (78,600      (27,470      2,189   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (2,653,300      (1,081,309      30,498   

Hong Kong

           

Bank of East Asia Ltd. (The)

     Goldman Sachs         (12,542      (54,671      4,063   

Beijing Properties Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (892,000      (56,943      8,118   

Capital Environment Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (780,000      (31,687      84   

China Resources Power Holdings Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (30,000      (50,838      (858

China Smarter Energy Group Holdings Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs         (162,000      (10,655      2,096   

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (14,800      (33,058      3,454   

China Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (118,000      (53,262      (6,930

HK Electric Investments & HK Electric Investments Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (35,500      (33,467      147   

Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (28,000      (52,721      (639

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (2,656      (68,712      3,880   

Hybrid Kinetic Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (1,692,000      (54,116      (375

Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (2,820,000      (51,000      (113

KuangChi Science Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (62,000      (20,149      (1,745

Poly Property Group Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (177,000      (53,415      2,890   

Realord Group Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (74,000      (41,132      (2,576

Shangri-La Asia Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (42,000      (47,124      1,672   

SJM Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (78,000      (52,912      3,954   

Towngas China Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (68,000      (39,902      765   

Towngas China Co., Ltd.

     Macquarie         (18,411      (10,803      207   

Trinity Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (176,000      (13,619      (193

Universal Medical Financial & Technical Advisory Services Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (77,724      (54,028      (3,602

Value Partners Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (10,000      (9,879      685   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (7,370,633      (894,093      14,984   

India

           

Infosys Ltd.—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         (1,291      (20,591      116   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

60      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

      Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
Long/(Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Short(continued)

           

Indonesia

           

Astra International Tbk PT

     Macquarie         (52,600    $ (31,630    $ (1,040

Holcim Indonesia Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         (106,600      (9,483      (76

Surya Citra Media Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         (124,200      (29,969      1,276   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (283,400      (71,082      160   

Italy

           

Prada SpA

     Goldman Sachs         (11,100      (32,996      (286
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Malaysia

           

Genting Malaysia Bhd

     Macquarie         (22,100      (24,060      (297
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Poland

           

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA

     Goldman Sachs         (7,110      (23,080      1,433   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

South Africa

           

Barclays Africa Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (2,470      (29,955      2,250   

Nedbank Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (1,438      (23,824      1,489   

Sasol Ltd.—Sponsored ADR

     Goldman Sachs         (598      (16,923      1,818   

Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (19,861      (47,061      1,786   

Vodacom Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (1,859      (21,949      648   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (26,226      (139,712      7,991   

Singapore

           

Sembcorp Marine Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (56,400      (57,116      3,702   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

South Korea

           

E-MART Inc.

     Macquarie         (194      (28,529      991   

Fila Korea Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (327      (27,452      (2,135

Hanjin Transportation Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (169      (4,812      (853

Hotel Shilla Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (771      (43,692      (3,381

Hyundai Rotem Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (2,004      (42,289      (839

Kakao Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (107      (8,679      849   

Kumho Tire Co., Inc.

     Goldman Sachs         (4,920      (43,376      (684

Paradise Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (4,940      (74,396      (122

Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (3,204      (28,981      1,078   

Seah Besteel Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (1,640      (39,637      4,035   

Ssangyong Motor Co.

     Goldman Sachs         (4,130      (27,375      (856
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (22,406      (369,218      (1,917

Taiwan

           

Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (4,000      (27,159      1,192   

Hiwin Technologies Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (9,180      (50,731      2,822   

HTC Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (6,000      (15,965      (83

Ruentex Industries Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (27,000      (44,015      1,739   

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.

     Goldman Sachs         (106,000      (24,884      284   

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.

     Macquarie         (79,000      (18,432      99   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (231,180      (181,186      6,053   

Thailand

           

Bangkok Life Assurance PCL—NVDR

     Goldman Sachs         (20,400      (26,251      (1,381

Precious Shipping PCL—NVDR

     Goldman Sachs         (400,200      (72,328      1,459   

Robinson Department Store PCL—NVDR

     Macquarie         (28,800      (53,461      218   

Thai Airways International PCL—NVDR

     Goldman Sachs         (76,100      (64,320      (4,956

Total Access Communication PCL—NVDR

     Goldman Sachs         (62,300      (62,152      312   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (587,800      (278,512      (4,348

United Kingdom

           

Antofagasta PLC

     Goldman Sachs         (5,807      (43,495      5,917   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Short

              70,882   
           

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on Contracts for difference

              (10,661
           

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        61   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Argentina

   $ 185,568       $ 185,568       $       $   

Brazil

     177,664         177,664                   

Canada

     71,208         71,208                   

China

     449,233         203,261         245,972           

Colombia

     110,520         110,520                   

Hong Kong

     148,753                 148,753           

India

     355,825                 355,825           

Indonesia

     224,694         115,566         109,128           

Israel

     235,566         235,566                   

Malaysia

     58,025         58,025                   

Mexico

     52,364         52,364                   

Netherlands

     69,164                 69,164           

Philippines

     12,274                 12,274           

Russia

     220,229         220,229                   

South Africa

     305,075         85,525         219,550           

South Korea

     296,887         41,061         255,826           

Srilanka

     191,541         191,541                   

Thailand

     41,717                 41,717           

Turkey

     66,649                 66,649           

United Arab Emirates

     118,147         77,276         40,871           

United Kingdom

     178,190         161,107         17,083           

United States

     19,071         19,071                   

Preferred Stock

           

Colombia

     73,276         73,276                   

South Korea

     315,468                 315,468           

Contracts for Difference

           

Equity Contracts

     186,728                 186,728           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 4,163,836       $ 2,078,828       $ 2,085,008       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Common Stock

           

China

   $ (46,546    $ (46,546    $       $   

Hong Kong

     (20,693      (20,693                

United States

     (47,362      (47,362                

Contracts for Difference

           

Equity Contracts

     (197,389              (197,389        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (311,990    $ (114,601    $ (197,389    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

62      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


 

 

(THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.)

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        63   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

 

     Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
    Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
    Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
    Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value  Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 411,961,315      $ 866,238,780      $ 6,362,973,413      $ 1,348,957,494   

Cash

     14,797,782        6,690,366        299,508,992        33,683,991   

Foreign currency, at value #

            2,438,608        536,509,315        81,865   

Receivables

        

Investments sold

     850,251        408,829        159,528,167        7,898,445   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

            220,512,707        2,587,894,525          

Dividends and interest

     377,517        1,028,080        10,260,044        2,191,972   

Capital shares sold

     263,379        2,416,069        8,637,181        1,154,409   

Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference ¯

                   181,918          

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     40,894        39,218        265,439        68,038   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     428,291,138        1,099,772,657        9,965,758,994        1,394,036,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Securities sold short, at fair value ‡

   $      $ 220,475,915      $ 3,181,779,839      $   

Options written, at value * ¯

            125,757        680,130        508,500   

Payables

        

Securities lending collateral

     19,567,739        44,336,019               5,417,919   

Investments purchased

     281,266        3,147,088        94,182,689        20,435,184   

Capital shares redeemed

     2,490,936        213,914        11,470,934        2,548,921   

Due to prime broker

            283,897                 

Investment advisory fees

     291,711        1,568,002        7,071,400        697,132   

Custodian fees

     1,866        9,809        62,597        15,325   

Distribution and service fees

     26,646        20,596        55,287        73,642   

Dividends on securities sold-short

            56,222        3,957,117          

Administration and accounting fees

     55,131        103,461        477,206        140,176   

Unrealized depreciation on contracts for difference ¯

                   2,418,622          

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     65,066        120,970        799,766        139,233   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     22,780,361        270,461,650        3,302,955,587        29,976,032   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 405,510,777      $ 829,311,007      $ 6,662,803,407      $ 1,364,060,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Par value

   $ 17,865      $ 41,677      $ 437,840      $ 59,085   

Paid-in capital

     325,099,509        734,598,034        6,146,765,355        1,072,309,295   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     2,061,264        (6,815,299     (4,721,382     11,387,656   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     (5,316,578     (4,556,536     (177,875,199     17,842,312   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation

     83,648,717        106,043,131        698,196,793        262,461,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 405,510,777      $ 829,311,007      $ 6,662,803,407      $ 1,364,060,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 279,049,445      $ 731,894,461      $ 6,403,403,849      $ 1,016,106,397   

Shares outstanding

     12,132,402        36,438,483        420,544,948        43,953,136   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 23.00      $ 20.09      $ 15.23      $ 23.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 126,461,332      $ 97,416,546      $ 259,399,558      $ 347,953,785   

Shares outstanding

     5,732,148        5,238,515        17,295,034        15,131,489   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 22.06      $ 18.60      $ 15.00      $ 23.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 328,312,598      $ 744,227,944      $ 5,428,169,899      $ 1,086,637,229   

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 18,968,473      $ 42,872,689      $      $ 5,247,102   

# Foreign currency, at cost

   $      $ 2,389,773      $ 545,856,401      $ 81,666   

‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short

   $      $ 198,916,913      $ 2,955,855,142      $   

* Premiums received, options written

   $      $ 5,670,254      $ 1,595,012      $ 649,870   

   ¯ Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

        

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

64      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (concluded)

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
    Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
    Boston
Partners Global
Long/Short
Fund
    Boston
Partners
Emerging Markets
Long/Short Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 35,747,330      $ 407,078,900      $ 803,306,707      $ 3,977,108   

Investments in purchased options, at value * ¯

                   290,425          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     35,747,330        407,078,900        803,597,132        3,977,108   

Cash

     1,237,017        4,904,261        69,507,652        6,966,046   

Foreign currency, at value #

                          15,054   

Receivables

        

Investments sold

     582,398        6,865,443        16,902,452        10,335   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

                   370,006,813        237,411   

Dividends and interest

     22,116        560,239        1,607,135        3,068   

Investment advisor

                          13,567   

Capital shares sold

            273,900        1,655,431        194   

Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference*

                   253,202        186,728   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     10,014        18,720        47,684        10,729   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     37,598,875        419,701,463        1,263,577,501        11,420,240   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Securities sold short, at fair value ‡

   $      $      $ 368,079,406      $ 114,601   

Options written, at value * +

                   669,410          

Foreign currency overdraft

                   119,106          

Payables

        

Securities lending collateral

     3,389,405                        

Investments purchased

     211,822        3,357,341        7,180,633        112,425   

Capital shares redeemed

                   561,209          

Due to prime broker

                   191,808          

Investment advisory fees

     12,461        231,309        1,116,182          

Custodian fees

     4,654        803        26,476        3,731   

Distribution and service fees

                   6,606          

Dividends on securities sold-short

                   450,555        3,717   

Administration and accounting fees

     14,185        60,815        117,983        20,940   

Unrealized depreciation on contracts for difference*

                   5,174        197,389   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     37,204        52,096        136,630        29,128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,669,731        3,702,364        378,661,178        481,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 33,929,144      $ 415,999,099      $ 884,916,323      $ 10,938,309   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Par value

   $ 2,189      $ 26,664      $ 81,165      $ 981   

Paid-in capital

     32,784,474        394,351,493        853,160,535        9,911,720   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     151,831        7,146,591        (998,065     714,592   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     (2,763,358     (29,588,104     (40,268,684     93,170   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation

     3,754,008        44,062,455        72,941,372        217,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 33,929,144      $ 415,999,099      $ 884,916,323      $ 10,938,309   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 33,929,144      $ 415,999,099      $ 853,621,362      $ 10,938,309   

Shares outstanding

     2,189,083        26,663,787        78,278,962        980,942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 15.50      $ 15.60      $ 10.90      $ 11.15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

        

Net assets

   $      $      $ 31,294,961      $   

Shares outstanding

                   2,885,646          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $      $      $ 10.85      $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

†  Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 31,993,322      $ 363,010,550      $ 714,692,123      $ 3,752,684   

   ¯Investments in purchased options, at cost

   $      $      $ 2,029,490      $   

^  Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 3,208,419      $      $      $   

#  Foreign currency, at cost

   $      $      $ (119,706   $ 15,223   

‡  Proceeds received, securities sold short

   $      $      $ 354,087,131      $ 118,794   

+  Premiums received, options written

   $      $      $ 497,321      $   

*  Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

        

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        65   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS   FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

     Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
     Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
    Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
     Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value Fund
 

Investment Income

          

Dividends †

   $ 6,554,398       $ 11,566,009      $ 148,411,377       $ 26,466,552   

Interest

     921         3,174        33,566         3,334   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     156,307         521,314                90,656   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     6,711,626         12,090,497        148,444,943         26,560,542   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

          

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     3,420,987         15,334,811        86,995,127         9,755,213   

Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

     301,941         232,542        683,888         768,460   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     290,752         524,386        2,924,450         770,471   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     217,192         364,150        4,186,264         516,443   

Registration and filing fees

     53,780         87,024        587,328         112,633   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     49,115         59,238        557,713         111,964   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     41,094         128,053        1,179,363         132,793   

Legal fees

     29,747         167,932        640,416         110,322   

Audit fees

     27,435         43,487        55,670         29,242   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     27,258         49,167        466,943         80,246   

Other expenses

     10,496         19,921        193,152         32,447   

Dividend expense on securities sold-short

             1,488,132        57,265,286           

Prime broker interest expense

             6,040,743        19,581,821           
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     4,469,797         24,539,586        175,317,421         12,420,234   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (404,770                     (2,267,092
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     4,065,027         24,539,586        175,317,421         10,153,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     2,646,599         (12,449,089     (26,872,478      16,407,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

          

Investment Securities

     363,833         (21,823,816 ) +      (198,516,585      20,927,233  * 

Investments sold-short

             36,772,011        138,985,632           

Foreign currency transactions

             (786,653     1,113,536         (605

Written options **

             (308,320     15,499,876         (15,758

Contracts for difference **

                    6,642,670           

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

          

Investment Securities

     37,842,330         91,560,679  ¯      679,489,341         114,629,206   

Investments sold short

             (6,805,460     (341,988,171        

Foreign currency translation

             786,906        (8,158,142      199   

Written options **

             6,394,084        5,162,280         1,064,689   

Contracts for difference **

                    (4,227,227        
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     38,206,163         105,789,431        294,003,210         136,604,964   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 40,852,762       $ 93,340,342      $ 267,130,732       $ 153,012,364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $       $ (285,283   $ (1,408,386    $ (148,342
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

+ Includes realized losses from purchased options of $(789,343). Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
* During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund transferred securities with a cost and market value of $48,521,498 and $46,116,086, respectively, to satisfy a redemption-in-kind. The net realized loss of $(2,405,412) is included herein.
** Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
¯ Includes net change in unrealized appreciation on purchased option of $426,387. Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

66      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (concluded)

 

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Long/Short
Fund
     Boston
Partners
Emerging Markets
Long/Short Fund*
 

Investment Income

           

Dividends †

   $ 484,599       $ 11,196,839       $ 23,985,504       $ 143,062   

Interest

     16         647         4,013         1,401   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     41,265                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     525,880         11,197,486         23,989,517         144,463   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

           

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     267,505         3,024,382         10,382,142         102,394   

Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

                     96,627           

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     77,736         305,717         549,188         75,513   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     57,315         71,172         418,691         24,440   

Registration and filing fees

     23,236         42,120         157,359         17,692   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     1,695         15,205         84,677         13,974   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     40,030         138,844         281,416         50,497   

Legal fees

     3,305         31,700         66,581         21,913   

Audit fees

     27,053         32,756         57,038         25,540   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     15,639         27,345         46,093         287   

Other expenses

     3,799         5,831         7,835         3,100   

Dividend expense on securities sold-short

                     5,961,047         93,155   

Prime broker interest expense

                     2,698,808         4,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     517,313         3,695,072         20,807,502         433,053   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (149,394      (502,669              (219,117
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     367,919         3,192,403         20,807,502         213,936   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     157,961         8,005,083         3,182,015         (69,473
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

           

Investment Securities

     (1,193,299      (29,342,662      (42,565,486      298,705   

Investments sold-short

                     8,923,732         (46,701

Foreign currency transactions

             (83,871      (872,130      (16,346

Written options **

             114,411         1,531,190           

Contracts for difference **

                     35,093         625,301   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

           

Investment Securities

     2,170,030         50,699,397         96,311,171         224,424   

Investments sold short

                     (36,925,403      4,193   

Foreign currency translation

             1,382         93,905         (110

Written options **

                     312,096           

Contracts for difference **

                     (790,632      (10,661
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     976,731         21,388,657         26,053,536         1,078,805   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,134,692       $ 29,393,740       $ 29,235,551       $ 1,009,332   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $ (3,062    $ (303,014    $ (621,605    $ (13,576
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* The Fund commenced operations on December 15, 2015.
+ Includes realized losses from purchased options of $(739,282). Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
** Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
¯ Includes net change in unrealized depreciation on purchased options of $(1,739,065). Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        67   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Boston Partners
Small Cap Value Fund II
     Boston Partners
Long/Short Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

           

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 2,646,599       $ 2,177,505       $ (12,449,089    $ (32,134,039

Net realized gain from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency

     363,833         11,421,347         13,853,222         52,414,504   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency translation

     37,842,330         (18,484,290      91,936,209         (96,167,694
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     40,852,762         (4,885,438      93,340,342         (75,887,229
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

           

Net investment income

           

Institutional Class

     (1,116,668      (951,560                

Investor Class

     (433,454      (605,107                

Net realized capital gains

           

Institutional Class

     (8,598,571      (1,769,477      (40,334,881      (54,248,415

Investor Class

     (5,838,075      (1,642,628      (8,084,170      (17,937,422
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (15,986,768      (4,968,772      (48,419,051      (72,185,837
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     122,658,508         108,813,499         396,153,274         183,268,691   

Reinvestment of distributions

     9,508,519         2,662,389         32,015,441         41,021,708   

Shares redeemed

     (53,096,633      (27,945,647      (230,424,800      (295,605,895

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     1,095         3,324         14,072         461,615   

Investor Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     20,909,233         41,539,251         26,849,657         33,166,844   

Reinvestment of distributions

     6,206,809         2,215,225         8,022,262         17,388,360   

Shares redeemed

     (35,074,206      (22,434,161      (36,539,874      (131,640,788

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     733         2,798         89,037         95,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     71,114,058         104,856,678         196,179,069         (151,843,790
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     95,980,052         95,002,468         241,100,360         (299,916,856

Net assets

           

Beginning of year

     309,530,725         214,528,257         588,210,647         888,127,503   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 405,510,777       $ 309,530,725       $ 829,311,007       $ 588,210,647   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of year

   $ 2,061,264       $ 1,144,627       $ (6,815,299    $ (21,533,946
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     5,941,592         4,831,433         20,854,632         9,233,291   

Shares reinvested

     471,419         120,853         1,811,853         2,087,619   

Shares redeemed

     (2,505,732      (1,235,515      (12,161,562      (15,272,150
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     3,907,279         3,716,771         10,504,923         (3,951,240
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,051,411         1,929,191         1,502,343         1,718,153   

Shares reinvested

     320,269         104,442         489,461         945,533   

Shares redeemed

     (1,793,646      (1,038,869      (2,063,761      (7,262,224
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (421,966      994,764         (71,957      (4,598,538
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

68      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     Boston Partners
Long/Short Research Fund
     Boston Partners
All-Cap Value Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

          

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ (26,872,478    $ (57,628,148    $ 16,407,400      $ 12,705,428   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     (36,274,871      312,683,672         20,910,870        58,588,113   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation

     330,278,081         (178,571,768      115,694,094        (65,827,625
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     267,130,732         76,483,756         153,012,364        5,465,916   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

          

Institutional Class

                     (11,368,127     (7,085,713

Investor Class

                     (3,192,996     (1,598,987

Net realized capital gains

          

Institutional Class

     (263,345,574      (73,750,367      (42,112,813     (29,675,856

Investor Class

     (10,452,896      (4,130,770      (14,100,673     (8,739,308
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (273,798,470      (77,881,137      (70,774,609     (47,099,864
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

          

Institutional Class

          

Proceeds from shares sold

     2,258,387,380         2,791,886,689         383,465,494        207,860,146   

Reinvestment of distributions

     117,737,179         38,567,891         43,589,093        30,283,496   

Shares redeemed

     (2,705,697,972      (1,144,904,742      (265,789,456 )*      (150,603,776

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     88,819         167,655                  

Investor Class

          

Proceeds from shares sold

     100,743,220         156,222,923         153,370,249        97,996,009   

Reinvestment of distributions

     10,435,203         4,096,486         17,088,905        10,146,888   

Shares redeemed

     (151,706,463      (153,804,307      (91,643,291 )*      (66,372,364

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     3,563         8,206                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (370,009,071      1,692,240,801         240,080,994        129,310,399   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (376,676,809      1,690,843,420         322,318,749        87,676,451   

Net assets

          

Beginning of year

     7,039,480,216         5,348,636,796         1,041,741,433        954,064,982   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 6,662,803,407       $ 7,039,480,216       $ 1,364,060,182      $ 1,041,741,433   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of year

   $ (4,721,382    $ (14,204,586    $ 11,387,656      $ 9,541,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

          

Institutional Class

          

Shares sold

     151,328,046         181,998,959         18,371,326        9,071,242   

Shares reinvested

     7,933,759         2,532,409         2,057,060        1,351,338   

Shares redeemed

     (182,204,639      (74,788,910      (12,387,300     (6,536,171
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (22,942,834      109,742,458         8,041,086        3,886,409   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class

          

Shares sold

     6,891,009         10,289,490         7,317,169        4,291,105   

Shares reinvested

     712,301         271,831         809,134        454,203   

Shares redeemed

     (10,330,631      (10,152,820      (4,307,451     (2,935,493
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (2,727,321      408,501         3,818,852        1,809,815   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund transferred securities in the amounts of $41,891,676 and $4,224,410 for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, to satisfy a redemption-in-kind.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        69   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
     Boston Partners Global
Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

           

Net investment income

   $ 157,961       $ 318,020       $ 8,005,083       $ 939,223   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, written options and foreign currency

     (1,193,299      493,855         (29,312,122      (189,364

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, written options and foreign currency translation

     2,170,030         (7,011,432      50,700,779         (12,633,408
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,134,692         (6,199,557      29,393,740         (11,883,549
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

           

Net investment income

           

Institutional Class

     (234,656      (276,767      (1,050,244      (672,980

Net realized capital gains

           

Institutional Class

     (748,356      (4,758,990      (348,191      (2,575,966
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (983,012      (5,035,757      (1,398,435      (3,248,946
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     960,358         2,054,005         131,580,841         232,601,137   

Reinvestment of distributions

     905,357         4,460,767         1,320,142         2,531,256   

Shares redeemed

     (4,549,637      (4,827,146      (24,874,952      (109,225

Redemption fees (Note 8)

             1,045                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (2,683,922      1,688,671         108,026,031         235,023,168   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (2,532,242      (9,546,643      136,021,336         219,890,673   

Net assets

           

Beginning of year

     36,461,386         46,008,029         279,977,763         60,087,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 33,929,144       $ 36,461,386       $ 415,999,099       $ 279,977,763   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

   $ 151,831       $ 223,566       $ 7,146,591       $ 473,804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     70,285         121,210         9,199,103         15,083,287   

Shares reinvested

     64,484         270,350         90,607         172,547   

Shares redeemed

     (313,794      (276,855      (1,729,297      (7,231
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (179,025      114,705         7,560,413         15,248,603   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

70      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2016

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

 

 

     Boston Partners
Global Long/Short Fund
     Boston Partners
Emerging Markets
Long/Short Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2016*
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 3,182,015       $ (2,436,913    $ (69,473

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, contracts for difference, written options and foreign currency

     (32,947,601      (6,192,868      860,959   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     59,001,137         12,170,261         217,846   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     29,235,551         3,540,480         1,009,332   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net realized capital gains

        

Institutional Class

     (2,255,193                

Investor Class

     (171,124                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (2,426,317                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     660,943,714         313,149,804         9,928,977 ** 

Reinvestment of distributions

     1,983,822                   

Shares redeemed

     (152,586,129      (36,579,598        

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     8,353         1,356           

Investor Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     23,628,972         70,409,274           

Reinvestment of distributions

     170,989                   

Shares redeemed

     (53,562,839      (13,263,610        

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     884         17,273           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

     480,587,766         333,734,499         9,928,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     507,397,000         337,274,979         10,938,309   

Net assets

        

Beginning of period

     377,519,323         40,244,344           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 884,916,323       $ 377,519,323       $ 10,938,309   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net
investment loss), end of period

   $ (998,065    $ (2,641,862    $ 714,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Shares sold

     62,263,169         30,018,537         980,942   

Shares reinvested

     185,751                   

Shares redeemed

     (14,282,287      (3,539,107        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     48,166,633         26,479,430         980,942   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

        

Shares sold

     2,230,440         6,674,425           

Shares reinvested

     16,070                   

Shares redeemed

     (5,059,486      (1,252,012        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (2,812,976      5,422,413           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* The Fund commenced operations on December 15, 2015.
** During the period ended August 31, 2016, the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund received securities in the amount of $897,632 for Institutional Class to satisfy a subscription-in-kind.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        71   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    

    
Net
Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period

    Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)*
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
Investments
   

Net Increase/

(Decrease)
in Net Assets
Resulting
from
Operations

    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
    Total
Dividend and
Distributions
to Shareholders
    Redemption
Fees*
        
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

  

         

Institutional Class

  

               

8/31/16

  $ 21.89      $ 0.18      $ 2.00      $ 2.18      $ (0.12   $ (0.95   $ (1.07   $ 3   

8/31/15

    22.65        0.21        (0.54     (0.33     (0.15     (0.28     (0.43         

8/31/14

    19.06        0.15        3.53        3.68        (0.09            (0.09     3   

8/31/13

    15.31        0.09        3.75        3.84        (0.09            (0.09         

8/31/12

    12.92        0.05        2.39        2.44        (0.05            (0.05     3   

Investor Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 21.04      $ 0.12      $ 1.92      $ 2.04      $ (0.07   $ (0.95   $ (1.02   $ 3   

8/31/15

    21.79        0.14        (0.51     (0.37     (0.10     (0.28     (0.38         

8/31/14

    18.35        0.09        3.40        3.49        (0.05            (0.05     3   

8/31/13

    14.74        0.05        3.61        3.66        (0.05            (0.05         

8/31/12

    12.44        0.02        2.30        2.32        (0.02            (0.02     3         
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 19.04      $ (0.35   $ 3.04      $ 2.69      $      $ (1.64   $ (1.64   $ 3   

8/31/15

    22.65        (0.84     (1.01     (1.85            (1.77     (1.77     0.01     

8/31/14

    20.94        (0.63     3.57        2.94               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/13

    20.47        (0.54     2.24        1.70               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/12

    19.88        (0.54     3.15        2.61               (2.03     (2.03     0.01     

Investor Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 17.79      $ (0.37   $ 2.82      $ 2.45      $      $ (1.64   $ (1.64   $ 3   

8/31/15

    21.33        (0.84     (0.94     (1.78            (1.77     (1.77     0.01     

8/31/14

    19.84        (0.65     3.37        2.72               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/13

    19.51        (0.57     2.13        1.56               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/12

    19.08        (0.56     3.01        2.45               (2.03     (2.03     0.01           
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 15.20      $ (0.06 )4    $ 0.67      $ 0.61      $      $ (0.58   $ (0.58   $ 3   

8/31/15

    15.14        (0.14     0.40        0.26               (0.20     (0.20     3   

8/31/14

    13.30        (0.12     2.02        1.90               (0.06     (0.06     3   

8/31/13

    11.91        (0.14     1.66        1.52               (0.13     (0.13     3   

8/31/12

    10.60        (0.13     1.53        1.40               (0.09     (0.09     3   

Investor Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 15.01      $ (0.09 )4    $ 0.66      $ 0.57      $      $ (0.58   $ (0.58   $ 3   

8/31/15

    15.00        (0.18     0.39        0.21               (0.20     (0.20     3   

8/31/14

    13.21        (0.15     2.00        1.85               (0.06     (0.06     3   

8/31/13

    11.86        (0.18     1.66        1.48               (0.13     (0.13     3   

8/31/12

    10.58        (0.15     1.52        1.37               (0.09     (0.09     3         

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
1 

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2 

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

4 

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.10) and $(0.13) for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The ratio of net investment loss would have been (0.66)% and (0.91)% for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

5 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities received from processing a subscription-in-kind.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

72      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

       Net
Asset
Value,
End of
Period
    Total
Investment
Return1,2
    Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any (Excluding
Dividend and
Interest Expense)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets Without
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any
    Ratio of Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)
to Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
               
               
  $ 23.00        10.67   $ 279,049        1.10     N/A        1.22     0.86 %      29
    21.89        (1.45     180,057        1.10         N/A        1.23         0.91         14    
    22.65        19.33        102,112        1.21         N/A        1.23         0.68         16    
    19.06        25.19        76,442        1.29        N/A        1.29        0.53        19   
    15.31        18.98        53,604        1.30         N/A        1.36         0.37         32    
               
  $ 22.06        10.38   $ 126,461        1.35     N/A        1.47     0.61     29 % 
    21.04        (1.68     129,474        1.35         N/A        1.48         0.66         14    
    21.79        19.01        112,417        1.46         N/A        1.48         0.43         16    
    18.35        24.90        87,237        1.54        N/A        1.54        0.28        19   
          14.74        18.67        66,689        1.55        N/A        1.61        0.12        32   
       
               
  $ 20.09        15.36   $ 731,894        3.57 %      2.46 %      3.57 %      (1.79 )%      72 % 
    19.04        (8.35     493,751        5.64         2.47        5.64         (4.22 )      75    
    22.65        14.72        676,756        4.33         2.42         4.33         (2.93 )      65    
    20.94        8.61        620,804        4.30         2.43        4.30         (2.58 )      67    
    20.47        14.16        505,108        4.29         2.48         4.29         (2.68 )      71    
               
  $ 18.60        15.07   $ 97,417        3.82 %      2.71 %      3.82 %      (2.04 )%      72 % 
    17.79        (8.55     94,459        5.89         2.72         5.89         (4.47 )      75    
    21.33        14.41        211,372        4.57         2.66         4.57         (3.18 )      65    
    19.84        8.30        220,307        4.55         2.68        4.55         (2.83 )      67    
          19.51        13.90        170,834        4.54        2.73        4.54        (2.93 )      71   
       
               
  $ 15.23        4.10   $ 6,403,404        2.51     1.41 %      2.51     (0.38 )%4      53 % 
    15.20        1.73        6,738,894        2.43         1.39         2.43         (0.92 )      62    
    15.14        14.28        5,054,388        2.52         1.39         2.52         (0.81 )      57    
    13.30        12.81        1,743,406        2.75        1.48        2.71        (1.09     65   
    11.91        13.32        254,170        2.81         1.54         2.84         (1.12 )      53 4 
               
  $ 15.00        3.88   $ 259,400        2.76     1.66 %      2.76     (0.63 )%4      53 % 
    15.01        1.41        300,586        2.68         1.64         2.68         (1.17 )      62    
    15.00        13.99        294,249        2.77         1.64         2.77         (1.06 )      57    
    13.21        12.52        132,511        3.05        1.73        3.01        (1.39     65   
          11.86        13.06        48,296        3.00        1.79        3.04        (1.31 )      53 5 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        73   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    

Net

Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period

    Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)*
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
Investments
   

Net Increase/

(Decrease)
in Net Assets
Resulting
from
Operations

    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
    Total
Dividend and
Distributions
to Shareholders
   

Redemption

Fees*

        
Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 22.08      $ 0.30      $ 2.15      $ 2.45      $ (0.30   $ (1.11   $ (1.41   $     

8/31/15

    23.00        0.30        (0.08     0.22        (0.22     (0.92     (1.14         

8/31/14

    19.19        0.22        4.39        4.61        (0.18     (0.62     (0.80         

8/31/13

    15.57        0.24        3.75        3.99        (0.27     (0.10     (0.37         

8/31/12

    14.34        0.20        2.04        2.24        (0.12     (0.89     (1.01         

Investor Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 21.98      $ 0.25      $ 2.13      $ 2.38      $ (0.25   $ (1.11   $ (1.36   $     

8/31/15

    22.90        0.25        (0.08     0.17        (0.17     (0.92     (1.09         

8/31/14

    19.12        0.17        4.38        4.55        (0.15     (0.62     (0.77         

8/31/13

    15.50        0.20        3.75        3.95        (0.23     (0.10     (0.33         

8/31/12

    14.28        0.16        2.03        2.19        (0.08     (0.89     (0.97               
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 15.40      $ 0.07      $ 0.46      $ 0.53      $ (0.10   $ (0.33   $ (0.43   $     

8/31/15

    20.42        0.13        (2.84     (2.71     (0.13     (2.18     (2.31     4   

8/31/14

    19.06        0.07        3.16        3.23        (0.02     (1.85     (1.87         

8/31/13

    14.32        0.07        4.74        4.81        (0.07            (0.07         

8/31/12

    12.31        (0.05     2.06        2.01                             4         
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 14.66      $ 0.35 7    $ 0.66      $ 1.01      $ (0.05   $ (0.02   $ (0.07   $     

8/31/15

    15.59        0.13        (0.40     (0.27     (0.14     (0.52     (0.66         

8/31/14

    12.97        0.18        2.82        3.00        (0.02     (0.36     (0.38         

8/31/13

    11.00        0.12        2.07        2.19        (0.13     (0.09     (0.22         

12/30/11** through 8/31/12

    10.00        0.10        0.90        1.00                                       
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 10.55      $ 0.05 8    $ 0.34      $ 0.39      $      $ (0.04   $ (0.04   $ 4   

8/31/15

    10.30        (0.13     0.38        0.25                             4   

12/31/13** through 8/31/14

    10.00        (0.14     0.44        0.30                             4   

Investor Class

                 

8/31/16

  $ 10.51      $ 0.02 8    $ 0.36      $ 0.38      $      $ (0.04   $ (0.04   $ 4   

8/31/15

    10.29        (0.16     0.38        0.22                             4   

4/11/14** through 8/31/14

    9.86        (0.09     0.52        0.43                             4         
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

12/15/15** through 8/31/16

  $ 10.00      $ (0.09   $ 1.24      $ 1.15      $      $      $      $     
                 
                                                                         

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.
** Commencement of operations.
1 

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2 

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered/received from processing redemptions/subscriptions in-kind.

4 

Amount is less than $0.005.

5 

Annualized.

6 

Not Annualized.

7

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment income per share would have been $0.18. The ratio of net investment income would have been 1.25%.

8

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.09) and $(0.12) for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The ratio of net investment income (loss) would have been (0.88)% and (1.13 )% for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

74      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

       Net
Asset
Value,
End of
Period
    Total
Investment
Return1,2
    Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
and Recoupment,
if any
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any (Excluding
Dividend and
Interest Expense)
   

Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets Without
Waivers and

Reimbursements
and Recoupment,
if any

    Ratio of Net
Investment
Income/(Loss) to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
and Recoupment,
if any
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
               
               
  $ 23.12        11.68   $ 1,016,106        0.77 %      N/A        0.96 %      1.41 %      30 %3 
    22.08        0.88        793,098        0.70         N/A        0.95         1.32         33    
    23.00        24.52        736,475        0.70         N/A        0.94         1.05         26    
    19.19        26.11        441,856        0.70        N/A        0.97        1.37        32   
    15.57        16.73        343,885        0.70         N/A        1.03         1.38         33    
           
  $ 23.00        11.39   $ 347,954        1.02 %      N/A        1.21 %      1.16 %      30 %3 
    21.98        0.66        248,643        0.95         N/A        1.20         1.07         33    
    22.90        24.29        217,590        0.95        N/A        1.20        0.80        26   
    19.12        25.93        77,936        0.95        N/A        1.22        1.12        32   
          15.50        16.44        25,189        0.95        N/A        1.28        1.13        33   
               
               
  $ 15.50        3.74   $ 33,929        1.10 %      N/A        1.55 %      0.47 %      62 % 
    15.40        (14.01     36,461        1.10         N/A        1.41         0.78         80   
    20.42        17.46        46,008        1.36        N/A        1.42        0.35        75   
    19.06        33.71        40,754        1.54        N/A        1.54        0.41        72   
          14.32        16.33        37,367        1.70        N/A        1.70        (0.34 )      84   
               
               
  $ 15.60        6.90   $ 415,999        0.95 %      N/A        1.10 %      2.38 %7      80 % 
    14.66        (1.75     279,978        0.95        N/A        1.24        0.86        98   
    15.59        23.39        60,087        0.96        N/A        1.39        1.20        136   
    12.97        20.14        11,496        1.30        N/A        3.05        1.00        102   
          11.00        10.00        11,234        1.30 4      N/A        3.56 5      1.39 5      83 6 
               
               
  $ 10.90        3.74   $ 853,621        2.99 %      1.74 %      2.99 %      0.47 %8      137 % 
    10.55        2.43        317,600        3.09         1.96         3.05        (1.27     132    
    10.30        3.00        37,403        3.88 4      2.00 5      4.89 5      (2.04 )5      72 6 
               
  $ 10.85        3.66   $ 31,294        3.24 %      1.99 %      3.24 %      0.22 %8      137 % 
    10.51        2.14        59,919        3.34         2.21         3.30         (1.52     132   
          10.29        4.36        2,841        4.12 5      2.25 5      4.44 5      (2.28 )5      72 6 
               
               
  $ 11.15        11.50   $ 10,938        3.87 %5      2.10 %5      7.82 %5      (1.26 )%5      229 %3,6 
               
                                                                     

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        75   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series trust,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (“BP Small Cap Value Fund II”), Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (“BP Long/Short Equity Fund”), Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund (“BP Long/Short Research Fund”), Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund (“BP All-Cap Value Fund”), Boston Partners Global Equity Fund (“BP Global Equity Fund”), Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (“BP Global Long/Short Fund”), Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund (“BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund”) (collectively the “BP Funds”), and WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund (“WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund” and, collectively with the BP Funds, the “Funds”). As of August 31, 2016, the BP Funds (other than the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) each offer two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class. As of August 31, 2016, Investor Class shares of the BP Global Equity Fund have not been issued. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund are single class funds, offering only the Institutional Class of shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Funds are investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

Portfolio Valuation — Each Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by a Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates fair value. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of the investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses). Options for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded, or, in the absence of any sale, will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Options not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last quoted bid price for long option positions and the closing ask price for short option positions. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments. Such procedures use fundamental valuation methods, which may include, but are not limited to, an analysis of the effect of any restrictions on the resale of the security, industry analysis and trends, significant changes in the issuer’s financial position, and any other event which could have a significant impact on the value of the security. Determination of fair value involves subjective judgment as the actual market value of a particular security can be established only by negotiations between the parties in a sales transaction, and the difference between the recorded fair value and the value that would be received in a sale could be significant. The Funds may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-U.S. markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Funds value their securities, generally as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. To account for this, the Funds may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing).

 

76      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Fair Value Measurements — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and
• 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.

A summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2016 is included in each Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Funds to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Funds to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

Foreign securities that utilize international fair value pricing are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. For the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Global Equity Fund securities held as long positions with an end of period value of $2,056,206 and $1,535,146 transferred from Level 1 into Level 2. For the BP Long/Short Research Fund, securities held as short positions with an end of period value of $31,373,240 transferred from Level 1 into Level 2. These transfers occurred as a result of securities being valued utilizing the international fair value pricing at August 31, 2016. For the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund, securities held as short positions with an end of period value of $3,206,380 and $8,332,753, respectively, transferred from Level 2 into Level 1. These transfers occurred as a result of these securities no longer being valued utilizing the international fair value pricing at August 31, 2016.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Funds record security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        77   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

realized gain. The Funds’ investment income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Funds.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date for all Funds. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Foreign Currency Translation — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Funds do not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment securities in the Statements of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the Statements of Operations.

Currency Risk — The Funds invest in securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts. These markets are subject to special risks associated with foreign investments not typically associated with investing in U.S. markets. Because the foreign securities in which the Funds may invest generally trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in currency exchange rates will affect the Funds’ NAV, the value of dividends and interest earned and gains and losses realized on the sale of securities. Because the NAV for the Funds are determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the Funds may lose money by investing in a foreign security if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the Funds’ holdings goes up. Generally, a strong U.S. dollar relative to these other currencies will adversely affect the value of the Funds’ holdings in foreign securities.

Emerging Markets Risk — The BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund invests in emerging market instruments which are subject to certain credit and market risks. The securities and currency markets of emerging market countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities and currency markets of the United States and other developed markets. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in other developed markets. There also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of securities markets in emerging market countries and the activities of investors in such markets and enforcement of existing regulations may be extremely limited. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may be in their infancy and developing rapidly, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries.

 

78      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Foreign Securities Market Risk — Securities of many non-U.S. companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Securities of companies traded in many countries outside the U.S., particularly emerging markets countries, may be subject to further risks due to the inexperience of local investment professionals and financial institutions, the possibility of permanent or temporary termination of trading and greater spreads between bid and asked prices of securities. In addition, non-U.S. stock exchanges and investment professionals are subject to less governmental regulation, and commissions may be higher than in the United States. Also, there may be delays in the settlement of non-U.S. stock exchange transactions.

Options Written — The Funds are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives and may enter into options written to hedge against changes in the value of equities. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic securities exchange or issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. An option contract is a commitment that gives the purchaser of the contract the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a specified future date. On the other hand, the writer of an option contract is obligated, upon the exercise of the option, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a specified future date. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing put options is limited to the exercised fair value of the option contract. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing call options is potentially unlimited. A Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction at an acceptable price if a liquid secondary market does not exist. Option contracts also involve the risk that they may result in loss due to unanticipated developments in market conditions or other causes.

Written options are initially recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums received and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Gains or losses are realized when the option transaction expires or closes. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call option or the purchase cost for a written put option is adjusted by the amount of the premium received. Listed option contracts present minimal counterparty credit risk since they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded options, guarantees the options against default. A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to OTC option contracts is limited to the premium paid. As of August 31, 2016, all of each Fund’s written options were exchange-traded options.

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP All-Cap Value Fund, the BP Global Equity Fund and the BP Global Long/Short Fund had transactions in options written during the year ended August 31, 2016 as follows:

 

     BP Long/Short Equity Fund     BP Long/Short Research Fund     BP All-Cap Value Fund  
     Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2015

     1,052      $ 649,513        39,654      $ 17,783,087        95      $ 558,681   

Options written

     15,826        6,041,329        53,420        25,252,716        1,066        663,171   

Options closed

     (1,231     (766,212     (20,335     (7,142,682     (49     (13,301

Options expired

     (1,674     (254,376     (26,693     (9,935,646     (95     (558,681

Options exercised

                   (41,924     (24,362,463              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2016

     13,973      $ 5,670,254        4,122      $ 1,595,012        1,017      $ 649,870   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     BP Global Equity Fund     BP Global Long/Short Fund              
     Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
             

Options outstanding at August 31, 2015

          $        1,732      $ 1,055,665       

Options written

     1,200        562,017        7,743        4,069,489       

Options closed

                   (866     (482,768    

Options expired

     (285     (114,411     (2,497     (1,195,624    

Options exercised

     (915     (447,606     (5,158     (2,949,441    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Options outstanding at August 31, 2016

          $        954      $ 497,321       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        79   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the average volume of options was as follows:

 

Fund

     Purchased
Options
(Cost)
       Written
Options
(Proceeds)
 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     $ 529,663         $ 3,680,485   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                 12,619,192   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                 610,819   

BP Global Equity Fund

                 201,925   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       680,550           1,603,576   

Short Sales — When the investment adviser believes that a security is overvalued, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund may sell the security short by borrowing the same security from a broker or other institution and selling the security. A Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the borrowed security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund buys and replaces such borrowed security. A Fund will realize a gain if there is a decline in price of the security between those dates where the decline in price exceeds the costs of borrowing the security and other transaction costs. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Until a Fund replaces a borrowed security, it will maintain at all times cash, U.S. Government securities, or other liquid securities in an amount which, when added to any amount deposited with a broker as collateral, will at least equal the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with brokers, a Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral deposited with them.

In accordance with the terms of its prime brokerage agreements, a Fund may receive rebate income or be charged a fee for borrowed securities. Such income or fee is calculated on a daily basis based upon the market value of each borrowed security and a variable rate that is dependent upon the availability of such security. The Funds record these prime broker charges on a net basis as interest income or interest expense. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund had net charges of $6,033,824, $19,089,133, $2,642,358, and $4,272 respectively, on borrowed securities. Such amounts are included in prime broker interest expense on the Statements of Operations.

As of August 31, 2016, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund had securities sold short valued at $220,475,915, $3,181,779,839, $368,079,407 and $114,601, respectively, for which securities of $155,060,791, $2,511,283,244, $304,092,783, and $99,994 and cash deposits of $220,512,707, $2,587,894,525, $369,780,439 and $237,411, respectively, were pledged as collateral.

In accordance with Special Custody and Pledge Agreements with Goldman Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) (the Funds’ prime broker), the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund may borrow from Goldman Sachs to the extent necessary to maintain required margin cash deposits on short positions. Interest on such borrowings is charged to the Fund based on the LIBOR rate plus an agreed upon spread.

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund utilized cash borrowings from Goldman Sachs to meet required margin cash deposits as follows during the year ended August 31, 2016:

 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

  BP Long/Short Research Fund

Days

Utilized

  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate
  Days
Utilized
  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate

148

      CAD 60,390         0.96 %       237         AUD 14,843,519         2.43 %

234

      EUR 580,173         0.12 %       183         CAD 11,095,865         0.96 %

9

      JPY 53,030,199         0.46 %       219         CHF 6,467,212         0.33 %
105       USD 3,737,488         0.57 %       240         DKK 32,028,323         0.25 %
              258         EUR 47,904,782         0.13 %
              188         GBP 11,338,742         0.88 %
              223         HKD 60,818,522         0.51 %
              222         JPY 2,739,590,655         0.44 %
              174         NOK 28,165,065         1.02 %
              214         SEK 221,443,484         0.06 %
              124         SGD 5,258,222.         0.80 %
              113         USD 20,379,810         0.76 %

 

80      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

 

BP Global Long/Short Fund

  BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

Days

Utilized

  Average  Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate
  Days
Utilized
  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate

93

      AUD 127,414         2.43 %       8         EUR 10         0.05 %

71

      CAD 5,637         1.00 %       68         GBP 2,103         0.90 %

19

      CHF 119,646         0.30 %       78         HKD 572,994         0.51 %

97

      DKK 2,370,795         0.45 %       51         SGD 23,353         0.80 %

231

      EUR 5,163,221         0.26 %       117         ZAR 102,037         7.39 %

211

      GBP 3,090,106         0.89 %            

69

      HKD 3,260,449         0.46 %            

228

      JPY 501,067,155         0.51 %            

40

      NOK 621,487         1.39 %            

40

      NZD 178,255         3.24 %            

117

      SEK 1,735,604         0.51 %            

115

      SGD 1,923,240         0.59 %            
20       THB 40,345,927         1.80 %            
97       USD 1,932,363         0.65 %            

As of August 31, 2016, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Global Long/Short Fund had borrowings of $283,897 and $191,808, respectively. Such amounts are included in due to prime broker on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund incurred interest expense for the year ended August 31, 2016, in the amount of $6,919, $492,688, $56,450 and $276, respectively.

Contracts for Difference — The BP Global Long/Short Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund (for this section only, each a “Fund”) may enter into Contracts for Differences (“CFDs”). CFDs are leveraged derivative instruments that allow a Fund to take a position on the change in the market price of an underlying asset, such as a stock, or the value of an index or currency exchange rate. With a short CFD, a Fund is seeking to profit from falls in the market price of the asset. CFDs are subject to liquidity risk because the liquidity of CFDs is based on the liquidity of the underlying instrument, and are subject to counterparty risk, i.e., the risk that the counterparty to the CFD transaction may be unable or unwilling to make payments or to otherwise honor its financial obligations under the terms of the contract. It is also possible that the market price of the CFD will move between the time the order is placed by a Fund and when it is executed by the issuer, which can result in the trade being executed at a less favorable price. CFDs, like many other derivative instruments, involve the risk that, if the derivative security declines in value, additional margin would be required to maintain the margin level. The seller may require a Fund to deposit additional sums to cover this decline in value, and the margin call may be at short notice. If additional margin is not provided in time, the seller may liquidate the positions at a loss for which a Fund is liable. The potential for margin calls and large losses are much greater in CFDs than in other leveraged products. Most CFDs are traded OTC. CFDs are not registered with the SEC or any U.S. regulator, and are not subject to U.S. regulation. In a short position, the Fund will receive or pay an amount based upon the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the CFD would have decreased or increased in value had it sold the particular stocks short, less the dividends that would have been paid on those stocks, plus a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the CFD. All of these components are reflected in the market value of the CFD.

CFDs are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the resulting changes in market values, if any, are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Periodic payments made or received are recorded as realized gains or losses. Entering into CFDs involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these contracts, that the counterparty to the contract may default on its obligation to perform and that there may be unfavorable changes in market conditions. CFDs outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Portfolio of Investments. In connection with CFDs, cash or securities may be segregated as collateral by the Funds’ custodian. As of August 31, 2016, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Long/Short Fund and BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund held CFDs.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        81   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the average volume of CFDs was as follows:

 

Fund

   Notional Amount Long      Notional Amount Short  

BP Long/Short Research Fund

   $ 35,485,247       $ 33,818,151   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

             8,127,313   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

     4,967,932         2,529,820   

 

2. Investment Advisers and Other Services

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners”) provides investment advisory services to the BP Funds and the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund. For its advisory services with respect to the BP Funds, Boston Partners is entitled to receive 1.00% of the BP Small Cap Value Fund II’s average daily net assets, 2.25% of the BP Long/Short Equity Fund’s average daily net assets, 1.25% of the BP Long/Short Research Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.80% of the BP All-Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.90% of the BP Global Equity Fund’s average daily net assets, 1.50% of the BP Global Long/Short Fund’s average daily net assets and 1.85% of the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund’s average daily net assets, each accrued daily and payable monthly. Boston Partners is also entitled to receive advisory fees, accrued daily and paid monthly, as follows:

 

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund    0.80% of net assets up to $500 million
   0.75% of net assets in excess of $500 million

Boston Partners has contractually agreed to limit the BP Long/Short Equity Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to the extent that such expenses exceed 2.50% and 2.75%, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares, respectively. Effective January 1, 2016, Boston Partners has contractually agreed to limit the BP All-Cap Value Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to the extent that such expenses exceed 0.80% and 1.05%, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2016, Boston Partners had contractually agreed to limit the BP All-Cap Value Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to the extent that such expenses exceed 0.70% and 0.95%, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares, respectively. This limit is calculated daily based on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and BP All-Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets. These limitations are effected in waivers of advisory fees and reimbursements of expenses exceeding the advisory fee as necessary. These contractual limitations are in effect until at least February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. Boston Partners may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees with respect to these Funds.

For BP Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 1.10% and 1.35%, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. If at any time during the three years from the date such waiver or reimbursement was made in which the Fund’s advisory agreement with Boston Partners is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10% for the Institutional Class and 1.35% for the Investor Class, Boston Partners is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees foregone and other payments remitted by Boston Partners to the Fund during such three-year period.

For the BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Global Equity Fund, Boston Partners has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 1.50%, 2.00% and 0.95%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds’ Institutional Class shares and 1.75%, 2.25% and 1.20%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds’ Investor Class. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, the Funds’ Total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.50% for the Institutional Class and 1.75% for the Investor Class of the BP Long/Short Research Fund, or 2.00% for the Institutional Class and 2.25% for the Investor Class of the BP Global Long/Short Fund or 0.95% for the Institutional Class and 1.20% for the Investor Class of the BP Global Equity Fund, Boston Partners is entitled to reimbursement by such Fund(s) of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by Boston Partners to the Fund(s) during such three-year period.

 

82      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Boston Partners has contractually agreed to limit the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 1.10%. The contractual limitation is in effect until at least February 28, 2017 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the three years from the date such waiver or reimbursement was made in which the Fund’s advisory agreement with Boston Partners is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10%, Boston Partners is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by Boston Partners to the Fund during such three-year period.

Boston Partners has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) for the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund’s Institutional Class shares exceeds 2.10% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until July 19, 2017 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 2.10%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

At August 31, 2016, the amount of potential recoupment by the Adviser was as follows:

 

     Expiration
August 31, 2017
     Expiration
August 31, 2018
     Expiration
August 31, 2019
     Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 41,219       $ 362,104       $ 404,770       $ 808,093   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     27,146         125,396         149,394         301,936   

BP Global Equity Fund

     217,404         316,245         502,669         1,036,318   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

                     192,417         192,417   

For the year ended August 31, 2016, Boston Partners has waived and reimbursed fees as follows:

 

Fund

   Investment Adviser
Expense Waived
     Investment Adviser
Reimbursement
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 404,770       $   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     2,267,092           

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     149,394           

BP Global Equity Fund

     502,669           

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

     102,394         90,023   

In determining Boston Partners’ obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause a Fund’s net annualized expense ratio to exceed the applicable expense limitation: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administration and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administrative services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agency services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

For the year ended August 31, 2016 BNY Mellon waived Administration, Transfer Agency and Custody fees in the amounts of $16,251, 7,950 and 2,499, respectively for the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund. The Fund will not pay BNY Mellon at a later time for any amounts waived.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        83   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a Distribution Agreement for the Funds and adopted separate Plans of Distribution for the Investor Class of each BP Fund (the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plans, Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (the “Underwriter”) is entitled to receive from each Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Investor Class, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plans may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Investor Class shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Investor Class, all as set forth in the Plans.

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $476,387. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Funds or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Funds paid $230,503 in officer fees.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. government obligations) were as follows:

 

Fund      Purchases        Sales  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 153,051,578         $ 96,290,216   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       644,781,498           476,142,160   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       3,531,591,785           4,357,079,013   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       593,784,323           359,475,687   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       20,359,994           24,984,523   

BP Global Equity Fund

       374,429,054           258,273,387   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       1,283,755,056           879,064,747   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

       7,371,604           5,009,406   

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the BP All-Cap Value Fund had a redemption-in-kind, which was comprised, in part, of securities in the amount of $46,116,086. This amount is excluded from the aggregate sales above.

For the period ended August 31, 2016, the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund had a subscription-in-kind, which was comprised of securities in the amount of $897,632. This amount is excluded from the aggregate purchases above.

 

5. Capital Share Transactions

As of August 31, 2016, each class of each Fund has 100,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized except for the Institutional Class of the BP Long/Short Research Fund and the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, which have 750,000,000 shares and 50,000,000 shares, respectively, of $0.001 par value common stock authorized.

 

6. Securities Lending

Securities may be loaned to financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letter of credit or U.S. Government securities maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral received, pursuant to investment guidelines established by the Funds and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, is invested in short-term investments. All such investments are made at the risk of the Funds and, as such, the Funds are liable for investment losses. Such loans would involve risks of delay in receiving additional collateral in the event the value of the collateral decreased below the value of the securities loaned or of delay in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers deemed by Boston Partners to be of good standing and only when, in Boston Partners’ judgment, the income to be earned from the loans justifies the attendant risks. Any loans of a Fund’s securities will be fully collateralized and marked to market daily. During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Funds participated in securities

 

84      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

lending. The market value of securities on loan and collateral as of August 31, 2016 and the income generated from the program during the year ended August 31, 2016 with respect to such loans were as follows:

 

Fund

     Market Value
of Securities
Loaned
       Market Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 18,968,473         $ 19,567,739         $ 156,307   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       42,872,689           44,336,019           521,314   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       5,247,102           5,417,919           90,656   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       3,208,419           3,389,405           41,265   

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under a Master Securities Lending Agreement (“MSLA”) which permits the Funds, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset amounts payable by the Funds to the same counterparty against amounts to be received and create one single net payment due to or from the Funds. The following table is a summary of the Funds’ open securities lending transactions which are subject to a MSLA as of August 31, 2016:

 

                          Gross Amount Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Fund

   Gross Amount of
Recognized Assets
     Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Net Amount of
Assets Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Financial
Instruments1
    Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net
Amount
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 18,968,473               $ 18,968,473       $ (18,968,473               

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     42,872,689                 42,872,689         (42,872,689               

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     5,247,102                 5,247,102         (5,247,102               

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     3,208,419                 3,208,419         (3,208,419               

 

1 

Amount disclosed is limited to the amount of assets presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown.

 

7. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Certain restricted securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, and may be deemed liquid by Boston Partners as applicable, based on policies and procedures established by the Company’s Board of Directors. Therefore, not all restricted securities are considered illiquid.

At August 31, 2016, the following Fund held restricted securities that were illiquid:

 

       Acquisition Date      Acquisition
Cost
       Shares/Par        Value        % of
Net Assets
 

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                        
Common Stocks:                         

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A

     12/21/04-01/23/06      $ 14,293           1,465         $ 0.00           0.0
         

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
          $ 14,293           1,465         $           0.0
         

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

8. Redemption Fees

Effective January 1, 2016, the Funds do not impose a redemption fee. Prior to January 1, 2016, there was a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were held 60 days or less on BP Small Cap Value Fund II, BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Equity Fund and BP Global Long/Short Fund. There was a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were held 365 days or less on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund had a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Funds for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        85   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

 

9. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Fund were as follows:

 

Fund

     Federal Tax
Cost
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 332,351,404         $ 98,421,970         $ (18,812,059    $ 79,609,911   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       747,802,919           177,753,974           (59,318,113      118,435,861   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       5,469,683,012           1,402,892,532           (509,602,131      893,290,401   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       1,090,089,582           283,009,932           (24,142,020      258,867,912   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       33,099,427           5,730,988           (3,083,085      2,647,903   

BP Global Equity Fund

       366,821,115           51,492,124           (11,234,339      40,257,785   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       728,732,649           127,333,895           (52,469,412      74,864,483   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

       3,755,928           534,256           (313,076      221,180   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, were reclassified among the following accounts. They are primarily attributable to net investment loss, gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, tax reclassification of distributions received, capitalization of short sale dividends, investments in contract for differences and investments in partnerships and passive foreign investment companies.

 

Fund

   Increase/
(Decrease)
Undistributed
Net  Investment
Income/(Loss)
     Increase/
(Decrease)
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
on Investments
     Increase/
(Decrease)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ (179,840    $ 179,840       $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     27,167,736         (740,110      (26,427,626

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     36,355,682         (36,363,934      8,252   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     (605      2,484,726         (2,484,121

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     4,960         (4,960        

BP Global Equity Fund

     (282,052      282,052           

BP Global Long/Short Fund

     (1,538,218      1,538,218           

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

     784,065         (767,789      (16,276

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund

   Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Gains
     Capital Loss
Carryforwards
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Qualified
Late-year Loss

Deferral
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 2,077,954       $       $       $ 79,609,911       $ (1,294,462

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                             100,841,726         (6,170,428

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                             644,685,505         (129,085,293

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     18,330,259         14,367,819                 258,993,724           

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     151,830                         2,647,905         (1,657,254

BP Global Equity Fund

     7,167,965                 (3,648,768      40,251,890         (22,150,145

BP Global Long/Short Fund

                             56,433,243         (24,758,619

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

     800,343                         225,265           

 

86      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

     2016      2015  

Fund

   Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total      Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 3,004,858       $ 12,981,910       $ 15,986,768       $ 1,556,667       $ 3,412,105       $ 4,968,772   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

             48,419,051         48,419,051                 72,185,837         72,185,837   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     17,314,839         256,483,631         273,798,470                 77,881,138         77,881,138   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     22,632,064         48,142,545         70,774,609         21,516,995         25,582,869         47,099,864   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     234,660         748,352         983,012         2,796,155         2,239,602         5,035,757   

BP Global Equity Fund

     1,248,425         150,010         1,398,435         2,166,520         1,082,426         3,248,946   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

     1,989,941         436,376         2,426,317                           

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

                                               

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Funds may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the following Funds deferred to September 1, 2016, the following qualified late year losses

 

Fund

   Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss
Deferral
     Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
     Long-Term
Capital
Loss  Deferral
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $       $ 1,294,462       $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     6,170,428                   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

             85,175,227         43,910,066   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                       

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

             464,700         1,192,554   

BP Global Equity Fund

             18,750,318         3,399,827   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

             16,713,317         8,045,302   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

                       

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2016 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law.

As of August 31, 2016, the BP Global Equity Fund had post-enactment capital losses of $3,648,768, of which $140,610 are long-term capital losses and $3,508,158 are short-term capital losses. The capital losses can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund utilized $89,665 and lost through expiration $331,952 of pre-enactment capital loss carryforward.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        87   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

 

 

10. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective November 19, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator, fund accounting agent, and dividend paying agent (“Transfer Agent”) to the Fund. U.S. Bank N.A., will replace the Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

88      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund and Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund (eight of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund and Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund (eight of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2016, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and their financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2016

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        89   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding each Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the following dividends and distributions were paid by each of the Funds:

 

       Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Capital Gains
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 3,004,858         $ 12,981,910   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                 48,419,051   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       17,314,839           256,483,631   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       22,632,064           48,142,545   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       234,660           748,352   

BP Global Equity Fund

       1,248,425           150,010   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       1,989,941           436,376   

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short

                   

Distributions from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Under the Jobs and Growth Tax relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 the following percentages of ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 are designated as “qualified dividend income,” as defined in the Act, and are subject to reduced tax rates:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       79.97

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       100.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       72.87

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       37.73

BP Global Equity Fund

       100.00

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       100.00

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short

       0.00

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for each Fund is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       80.60

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       76.65

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       31.22

BP Global Equity Fund

       62.43

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       100.00

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short

       0.00

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       0.02

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       0.02

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       0.11

BP Global Equity Fund

       0.02

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       4.56

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short

       0.00

 

90      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

The percentage of ordinary income distributions designated as qualified short-term gains pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004 is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       0.00

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       100.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       100.00

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       0.00

BP Global Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       100.00

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short

       0.00

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        91   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 261-4073 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors (the “Board”), including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Boston Partners and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by Boston Partners with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Boston Partners, with respect to the Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (for this section only, each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), the Board took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Board considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Boston Partners’ services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Boston Partners personnel providing those services; (iii) Boston Partners’ investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Boston Partners’ assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Boston Partners’ soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Boston Partners’ current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Boston Partners’ compliance procedures; (viii) Boston Partners’ financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (x) report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those each Fund’s respective Lipper Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of each Fund’s respective Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Boston Partners. The Board concluded that Boston Partners had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that Boston Partners’ services had been acceptable.

The Board also considered the investment performance of the Funds. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided for one-, three-, and five-year periods ended March 31, 2016, as applicable. The Board considered the Funds’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Board concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper Groups was acceptable.

In reaching this conclusion, the Board noted that the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Value Index for the three-year, five-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. The Board also noted that the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund ranked in the 1st quintile in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe for the one-, two-, three-, four- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2015.

 

92      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

The Board noted that the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund outperformed its primary benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for the one-year, since-inception and year to date periods ended March 31, 2016. The Board noted that the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund’s performance ranked in the 1st quintile in its Lipper Group for the one-, two-, three-, four- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2015.

The Board noted that while the performance of the WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund had been below the median within its Lipper Group, the Fund had outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, since inception.

Next, the Board also reviewed the performance of the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, noting that the Fund had underperformed its benchmark for the one-, three-, five- and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. However, the Board noted that the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund ranked within the 1st quintile in its Lipper Group for each of the one-, two-, three-, four-year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in the 1st quintile for the two-, four-, and five-year periods and the 2nd quintile for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2015 in its Lipper performance universe.

The Board next reviewed the performance of the Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, which outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, for the year-to-date, one-, three- and five-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. In addition, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in the 1st quintile in its Lipper Group for the one, two-, four- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2015.

The Board also considered the performance of the Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, which outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, for the year-to-date, one- and three-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. They also noted that Fund ranked in the 1st quintile for the one-, two-, three-, and four-year periods ended December 31, 2015 in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe.

The Board noted that the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund had outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, for the one-year and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. They noted that for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015, the Fund ranked in the 1st quintile in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Board noted that Boston Partners had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through at least December 31, 2016 to limit total annual operating expenses to agreed upon levels for each Fund.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Boston Partners’ services, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2017.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        93   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-261-4073.

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held with
Company
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by
Director in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

94      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (concluded)

 

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held with
Company
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by
Director in the
Past 5 Years
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance, LLC Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

  2016 to present   From 1995–2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  Since 2016   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2016   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).   N/A   N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

  Assistant Secretary   Since 2016   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present)   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 59

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.
1. Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.
2. Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        95   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited)

 

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Boston Partners Investment Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Boston Partners Investment Funds share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences   Yes   No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   Yes   Yes
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (888) 261-4073 or go to www.boston-partners.com

 

96      ANNUAL REPORT 2016


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Boston Partners Investment Funds protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How do the Boston Partners Investment Funds collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. Our affiliates include:

 

•           ORIX Corporation.

 

•           Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

 

•           Robeco Securities, LLC

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Boston Partners Investment Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Boston Partners Investment Funds may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Boston Partners Investment Funds may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016        97   


 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 32nd Floor

New York, NY 10022

ADMINISTRATOR

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

TRANSFER AGENT

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

PRINCIPAL

UNDERWRITER

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

 

 

 

BOS-AR16

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

LEGAL COUNSEL

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 


 

LOGO

CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.



CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

The Campbell Core Carry Fund’s primary objective is to seek capital appreciation by identifying risk premium opportunities in futures and forward markets based primarily on information embedded in or conceptually linked to the futures/forward term structure. The Fund is diversified across global markets and can be either long or short, resulting in a low long-term correlation to both directional strategies and traditional investments.

PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND

 

NAME

   6 MONTH RETURN
MARCH 1, 2016
THROUGH
  AUGUST 31, 2016  
   INCEPTION  THROUGH 
AUGUST 31, 2016*

Campbell Core Carry Fund - Institutional Class

   1.44%   5.50%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

   0.13%   0.16%

Barclay BTOP50 Index

   -5.63%   -1.30%

HFRI Macro Index

   -0.43%   2.08%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

   10.08%   9.95%

* Inception date of the Fund is December 21, 2015.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-800-698-7235. Performance would have been lower without fee waivers in effect.

Returns of the Fund’s Institutional shares for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2016 (“Fiscal Year 2016”) are shown in the table above, along with the performance of some industry benchmarks, the 3-month Treasury-Bill Index and the S&P 500 Index. The Fund finished its Fiscal Year 2016 with positive portfolio performance, profiting in Fixed Income and Equity Indices and experiencing losses in Commodities and Foreign Exchange.

The rally in global bonds led to sizable gains for the Fund, which maintained a net long position during Fiscal Year 2016 and profited as prices moved higher (yields lower). Additional gains came from the equity index sector, where generally long positioning benefitted as stock prices increased. On the negative side, losses came from commodities where generally short positioning in energies and metals lost on increasing prices and a long position in softs also detracted from the portfolio.

FISCAL YEAR 2016 HIGHLIGHTS

Though performance is off to a positive start since launch, our research team continues to look for ways to improve. Campbell has been trading carry strategies since the early 2000’s and it continues to be an area of focus. Research also continues to innovate in the areas of portfolio construction and risk management and many of these innovations have been implemented in the Core Carry portfolio since launch.

In addition to internal research, industry education continues to be an important focus for Campbell. We most recently published two educational White Papers, entitled “Introduction to Global Carry” and “Taming of the Skew”. The first paper provides an overview of multi-asset carry, while the second explores the source of skew in trend following returns. If you would like a copy of either paper, please let us know.

Finally, we are pleased to report a senior level addition to our team. Joseph D. Kelly joined Campbell in September 2016 and will be assuming the role of Managing Director of the Client Solutions Group. Joe will be responsible for managing the institutional sales and consultant relations efforts. Prior to joining Campbell, Mr. Kelly held leadership roles at several alternative asset management firms.

We look forward to speaking with you during the coming year and welcome any questions you may have regarding the Fund.

 

1


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

The HFRI Macro Index is a monthly performance, equal weighted, globally focused, total return hedge fund index. Constituent managers employ a variety of techniques, both discretionary and systematic analysis, combinations of top down and bottom up theses, quantitative and fundamental approaches and long and short term holding periods. The Index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

The S&P 500 Total Return Index components are chosen by Standard & Poor’s based on industry representation, liquidity and stability. The stocks in the S&P 500 are not the 500 largest companies, rather the Index is designed to capture the returns of many different sectors of the U.S. economy. This calculation includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

 

2


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in

Campbell Core Carry Fund vs. Barclays BTOP50 Index

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund is made on December 21, 2015 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Barclays BTOP50 Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016*        
      Since
Inception**
 

Campbell Core Carry Fund, Institutional Shares

     5.50%   

Barclay BTOP50 Index***

     -1.30%   

 

*

Not annualized.

 

**

Inception date of the Fund is December 21, 2015.

 

***

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance data quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the returns quoted above. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Call the Fund at 1-844-261-6488 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 16, 2015, is 2.15% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.25%. Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

An investment in the Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of its investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards and spot contracts, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations

 

3


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). To maintain qualification for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution of its income requirements. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC and became subject to federal income tax, shareholders of the Fund would be subject to diminished returns.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index. The August returns are estimates for the BTOP50.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

4


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line of the accompanying table 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 the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL SHARES  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH 1, 2016
     ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST 31, 2016
     EXPENSES PAID
DURING PERIOD*
 

Actual

     $1,000.00                 $1,014.40                 $6.38           

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00                 1,018.80                 6.39           

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.25% for the Institutional Shares, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense, if any), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the fiscal half year (184) then divided by 366 days to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month total return for the Institutional Shares of the Fund of 1.44%.

 

5


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

    

 

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at August 31, 2016.

 

     OF NET         
SECURITY TYPE/SECTOR CLASSIFICATION    ASSETS      VALUE  

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

     

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     68.8%       $ 10,896,810   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (including futures and forward foreign currency contracts)

     31.2            4,951,151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0%       $  15,847,961   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Refer to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

6


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

     COUPON*      MATURITY      PAR      VALUE  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 68.8%

           

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—68.8%

           

United States Treasury Bill

     0.275%         09/22/16       $ 5,400,000       $ 5,399,149   

United States Treasury Bill

     0.320%         10/20/16         5,500,000         5,497,661   
           

 

 

 
              10,896,810   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $ 10,896,810)

              10,896,810   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 68.8%
(Cost $ 10,896,810)

              10,896,810   
           

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 31.2%

              4,951,151   
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

            $ 15,847,961   
           

 

 

 

 

*

Short-term investments reflect the annualized effective yield on the date of purchase for discounted investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

7


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

    

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                         UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION      NUMBER OF      NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

   DATE                  CONTRACTS                   COST     (DEPRECIATION)  

90-DAY Eurodollar

     09/18/17         197       $ 48,780,598      $ (60,035

Amsterdam Index

     09/16/16             9         899,911        12,236   

Australian 10-Year Bond

     09/16/16           23         2,368,517        15,074   

Australian 3-Year Bond

     09/15/16         130         11,051,475        40,737   

CAC 40 10 Euro

     09/19/16             4         197,217        798   

Canadian 10-Year Bond

     12/30/16           22         2,460,406        1,802   

Cotton No.2

     12/21/16             5         172,065        (8,115

Euro Stoxx 50

     09/16/16             6         192,231        10,558   

Euro-Bund

     09/12/16             5         933,391        128   

FTSE 100 Index

     09/19/16             9         763,474        38,517   

Hang Seng Index

     09/30/16             6         881,521        5,189   

IBEX 35 Index

     09/16/16             1         96,822        494   

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

     09/21/16           37         1,515,346        (34,652

London Metals Exchange Copper

     09/21/16             3         348,828        (3,284

London Metals Exchange Nickel

     09/21/16             8         476,015        (9,383

London Metals Exchange Zinc

     09/21/16             9         485,124        34,120   

MSCI Taiwan Index

     09/29/16           34         1,150,116        (10,096

OMX Stockholm 30 Index

     09/16/16           47         772,632        5,747   

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     09/15/16           19         2,378,880        84,426   

Soybean

     11/16/16           15         773,055        (65,805

Soybean Meal

     12/16/16           12         421,054        (53,014

SPI 200 Index

     09/16/16           28         2,811,603        34,524   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

     12/15/16           29         655,957        (4,408

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes

     12/30/16             7         918,323        (1,870

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes

     01/05/17         127         27,737,565        (11,877

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes

     01/05/17           24         2,913,598        (3,598
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $                 112,155,724      $                     18,213   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
                         UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION      NUMBER OF      NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE      CONTRACTS      COST     (DEPRECIATION)  

3-Month Euro Euribor

     09/18/17           -66       $ (18,464,673   $ (4,652

90-DAY Sterling

     09/20/17           -96         (15,718,277     1,496   

Bank Acceptance

     12/19/16           -27         (5,102,177     2,360   

Brent Crude

     09/30/16           -11         (512,791     (2,999

CBOE Volatility Index

     09/21/16           -11         (162,724     2,399   

Coffee

     12/30/16           -17         (934,713     (2,731

Copper

     12/30/16             -6         (320,986     9,361   

Corn

     12/16/16           -69         (1,147,565     59,090   

Euro-Schatz

     09/12/16         -156         (19,496,801     5,937   

Gold 100 Oz

     12/30/16             -1         (134,718     3,578   

Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat

     12/30/16           -21         (458,789     41,414   

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

     09/21/16           -78         (3,186,208     64,745   

London Metals Exchange Copper

     09/21/16             -3         (354,920     9,376   

London Metals Exchange Nickel

     09/21/16             -9         (478,998     (45,963

London Metals Exchange Zinc

     09/21/16           -19         (1,033,095     (63,086

Natural Gas

     10/31/16           -17         (456,110     (34,680

NY Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel

     10/30/16             -9         (529,666     (9,249

Silver

     12/30/16             -6         (572,711     11,501   

Soybean Oil

     12/23/16             -1         (17,973     (1,749

Wheat

     12/16/16           -40         (876,626     100,126   

WTI Crude

     10/31/16           -20         (882,593     (11,407
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (70,843,114   $ 134,867   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

         $ 41,312,610      $ 153,080   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

8


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

    

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

CURRENCY PURCHASED        CURRENCY SOLD        EXPIRATION      COUNTERPARTY   

UNREALIZED

APPRECIATION

(DEPRECIATION)

 

 

 
AUD        1,700,000           USD           1,260,040         09/21/16      UBS       $ 16,906   
AUD        900,000           USD           672,961         09/21/16      UBS         3,069   
AUD        200,000           USD           150,358         09/21/16      UBS         (129
AUD        100,000           USD           73,725         09/21/16      UBS         1,389   
AUD        100,000           USD           74,969         09/21/16      UBS         146   
EUR        700,000           USD           787,197         09/21/16      UBS         (5,644
EUR        400,000           USD           441,816         09/21/16      UBS         4,785   
EUR        300,000           USD           335,669         09/21/16      UBS         (718
EUR        200,000           USD           220,545         09/21/16      UBS         2,756   
GBP        100,000           USD           133,141         09/21/16      UBS         (1,756
GBP        100,000           USD           145,856         09/21/16      UBS         (14,470
JPY        46,100,000           USD           446,836         09/21/16      UBS         (833
JPY        43,100,000           USD           418,721         09/21/16      UBS         (1,742
JPY        35,600,000           USD           346,226         09/21/16      UBS         (1,808
JPY        3,900,000           USD           37,282         09/21/16      UBS         449   
NZD        1,200,000           USD           855,031         09/21/16      UBS         14,907   
NZD        1,100,000           USD           759,424         09/21/16      UBS         38,020   
NZD        700,000           USD           496,098         09/21/16      UBS         11,366   
NZD        300,000           USD           216,955         09/21/16      UBS         529   
SEK        11,400,000           USD           1,363,531         09/21/16      UBS         (30,424
SEK        7,600,000           USD           902,072         09/21/16      UBS         (13,334
SEK        500,000           USD           60,112         09/21/16      UBS         (1,643
USD        227,880           AUD           300,000         09/21/16      UBS         2,536   
USD        223,684           AUD           300,000         09/21/16      UBS         (1,659
USD        74,128           AUD           100,000         09/21/16      UBS         (986
USD        103,911           CHF           100,000         09/21/16      UBS         2,102   
USD        102,679           CHF           100,000         09/21/16      UBS         871   
USD        1,895,060           EUR           1,700,000         09/21/16      UBS         (2,997
USD        1,225,869           EUR           1,100,000         09/21/16      UBS         (2,285
USD        790,734           EUR           700,000         09/21/16      UBS         9,181   
USD        784,783           EUR           700,000         09/21/16      UBS         3,231   
USD        291,494           GBP           200,000         09/21/16      UBS         28,722   
USD        479,567           JPY           51,400,000         09/21/16      UBS         (17,712
USD        456,655           JPY           47,240,000         09/21/16      UBS         (377
USD        436,531           JPY           45,160,000         09/21/16      UBS         (378
USD        265,588           JPY           27,300,000         09/21/16      UBS         1,469   
USD        20,930           JPY           2,200,000         09/21/16      UBS         (355
USD        428,719           NZD           600,000         09/21/16      UBS         (6,250
USD        280,103           NZD           400,000         09/21/16      UBS         (9,876
USD        141,894           NZD           200,000         09/21/16      UBS         (3,095
USD        70,823           NZD           100,000         09/21/16      UBS         (1,672
USD        69,707           NZD           100,000         09/21/16      UBS         (2,788
USD        1,940,260           SEK           15,700,000         09/21/16      UBS         104,314   
USD        902,913           SEK           7,600,000         09/21/16      UBS         14,175   
USD        824,862           SEK           7,000,000         09/21/16      UBS         6,287   
                              

 

 

 

Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

      $ 144,279   
                              

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

9


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

AUD

  Australian Dollar                       

MSCI  

  Morgan Stanley Capital International        

CAC

  Cotation Assistée en Continu (Continuous Assisted Quotation)      

NZD

  New Zealand Dollar

CHF

  Swiss Franc      

OMX

  Option Market Index

EUR

  Euro      

SEK

  Swedish Krona

FTSE

  Financial Times Stock Exchange      

TSX

  Toronto Stock Exchange

GBP

  British Pound      

UBS

  UBS AG

IBEX    

  Index of the Bolsa de Madrid      

USD

  United States Dollar

JPY

  Japanese Yen      

WTI

  West Texas Intermediate

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

10


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $10,896,810)

   $ 10,896,810   

Cash

     1,650,019   

Cash collateral on futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts

     3,008,123   

Deposits with broker for futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts

     45,491   

Receivables for:

  

Variation margin

     153,080   

Due from Adviser

     46,482   

Prepaid expenses

     4,725   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     267,210   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     16,071,940   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Administration and accounting fees

     27,475   

Audit and tax service fees

     40,000   

Transfer agent fees

     5,557   

Custodian fees

     238   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     122,931   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     27,778   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     223,979   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 15,847,961   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 Par value

   $ 1,502   

Paid-in capital

     14,157,521   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (76,117

Accumulated net realized gain from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts

     1,470,622   

Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contracts

     294,433   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 15,847,961   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 15,847,961   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     1,502,449   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 10.55   
  

 

 

 

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

 

11


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2016(1)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 17,306   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     17,306   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     111,336   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     108,625   

Audit and tax service fees

     40,000   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     28,900   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     18,480   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     15,524   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     12,287   

Legal fees

     9,200   

Registration and filing fees

     2,578   

Other expenses

     2,329   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     349,259   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (216,716
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     132,543   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (115,237
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

     831,090   

Foreign currency transactions

     2,968   

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (190,293
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain from investments

     643,765   
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

     153,080   

Foreign currency translations

     (2,926

Forward foreign currency contracts

     144,279   
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     294,433   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     938,198   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 822,961   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1)  The Fund commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015.

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

 

12


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE  
     PERIOD ENDED  
     AUGUST 31, 2016(1)  

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment loss

      $ (115,237

Net realized gain/(loss) from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts

        643,765   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures contracts, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contracts

        294,433   
     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

        822,961   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Shares

     

Proceeds from shares sold

        15,025,000   
     

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

        15,025,000   
     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

        15,025,000   
     

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

        15,847,961   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

     

Beginning of period

          
     

 

 

 

End of period

      $ 15,847,961   
     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

      $ (76,117
     

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Shares

     

Shares sold

        1,502,449   
     

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

        1,502,449   
     

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

        1,502,449   
     

 

 

 

 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015.

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

 

13


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

    INSTITUTIONAL SHARES  
    FOR THE  
    PERIOD  
    ENDED  
    AUGUST 31,  2016(1)  

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

   

Net asset value, beginning of period

                    $   10.00   
   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

      (0.08)   

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

      0.63   
   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      0.55   
   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 10.55   
   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

      5.50
   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

   

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $ 15,848   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

      1.25 %(4) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

      3.29 %(4) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

      (1.09 )%(4) 

Portfolio turnover rate

      0.00 %(5) 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any. Periods less than one year are not annualized.

(4)

Annualized.

(5)

Not annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

14


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Campbell Core Carry Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015. The Fund offers Institutional Class shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARY — The Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating (i) up to 25% of its assets in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Campbell Core Carry Offshore Limited (the “Subsidiary”), that employs the Adviser’s Campbell Core Carry Program and (ii) the remainder of its assets directly in a portfolio of investment grade securities (including government securities) for cash management purposes. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the ratings agencies are considered investment grade. The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the financial statements of the Subsidiary. The Fund consolidates the results of subsidiaries in which the Fund holds a controlling economic interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of August 31, 2016, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $1,216,809, which represented 7.7% of the Fund’s net assets.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates fair value. Forward exchange contracts are valued by interpolating between spot and forward currency rates as quoted by an independent pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued using the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

• 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.

 

15


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
     AUGUST 31, 2016     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  
                          

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   $ 10,896,810      $      $ 10,896,810      $   

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

     333,311        333,311                 

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     194,888        194,888                 

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     67,534        67,534                 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     267,210               267,210          

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $         11,759,753      $             595,733      $         11,164,020      $                 —   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
     AUGUST 31, 2016     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  
                          

 

 

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

   $ (350,525   $ (350,525   $      $   

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     (10,096     (10,096              

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     (82,032     (82,032              

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     (122,931            (122,931       

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (565,584   $ (442,653   $ (122,931   $   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of

 

16


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the period from commencement of operations (December 21, 2015) through August 31, 2016, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES — Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of another security or financial instrument. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

During the period ended August 31, 2016, the Fund used long and short contracts on foreign currencies and U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, and commodities to gain investment exposure in accordance with its investment objective. The Fund traded commodities through investment in the Subsidiary.

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of, and gains and losses on, the Fund’s derivative instruments as of and for the period ended August 31, 2016.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2016 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                               
    STATEMENT                               
    OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN              
    LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

  

 

 
 

Unrealized

appreciation on

forward foreign

          

Forward Contracts

 

currency contracts

   $      $      $ 267,210      $      $         267,210   

 

 

Futures Contracts(a)

 

Receivable:

Variation Margin

     194,888        67,534               333,311        595,733   

 

 

Total Value - Assets

     $ 194,888      $ 67,534      $ 267,210      $ 333,311      $ 862,943   

 

 
Liability Derivatives   

 

 
 

Unrealized

depreciation on

forward foreign

          

Forward Contracts

 

currency contracts

   $      $      $ (122,931   $      $ (122,931

 

 

Futures Contracts(a)

 

Receivable:

Variation Margin

     (10,096     (82,032            (350,525     (442,653

 

 

Total Value - Liabilities

     $           (10,096   $           (82,032   $           (122,931   $           (350,525   $           (565,584

 

 

 

(a)

This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

17


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or (losses) included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the period ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                 
    STATEMENT OF           INTEREST      FOREIGN              
    OPERATION    EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
Realized Gain (Loss)   

 

 
 

Net realized gain

            
 

(loss) from Futures

            

Futures Contracts

 

Contracts

   $ 468,782       $ 1,235,302       $      $ (872,994   $ 831,090   

 

 
 

Net realized gain

            
 

(loss) from

            
 

Forward Foreign

            

Forward Contracts

 

Currency Contracts

                     (190,293            (190,293

 

 

Total Realized Gain (Loss)

     $           468,782       $           1,235,302       $           (190,293   $           (872,994   $           640,797   

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the period ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                 
    STATEMENT OF           INTEREST     FOREIGN               
    OPERATION    EQUITY      RATE     CURRENCY      COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   

 

 
 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

            
 

(depreciation) from

            

Futures Contracts

 

Futures Contracts

   $ 184,792       $ (14,498   $       $ (17,214   $ 153,080   

 

 
 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

            
 

(depreciation) from

            
 

Forward Foreign

            

Forward Contracts

 

Currency Contracts

                    144,279                144,279   

 

 
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)      $           184,792       $             (14,498   $            144,279       $            (17,214   $           297,359   

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2016, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives is as follows:

 

          FORWARD FOREIGN    FORWARD FOREIGN
LONG FUTURES    SHORT FUTURES    CURRENCY    CURRENCY
NOTIONAL    NOTIONAL    CONTRACTS — PAYABLE    CONTRACTS — RECEIVABLE
COST    COST    (VALUE AT TRADE DATE)    (VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
$105,387,849    $(40,347,399)    $(20,756,686)    $20,756,686

 

18


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (receivables) or the obligation to return cash collateral (payables) arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

The following is a summary of financial and derivative instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements (or similar arrangements) and collateral received and pledged in connection with the master netting agreements (or similar arrangements).

 

            Gross Amount Not                    Gross Amount Not         
     Gross Amount      Offset             Gross Amount      Offset         
     Presented in the      in Consolidated             Presented in the      in Consolidated         
     Consolidated      Statement of             Consolidated      Statement of         
     Statement of      Assets and Liabilities             Statement of      Assets and Liabilities         
     Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net      Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net  
Description    Liabilities      Instruments      Received      Amount(1)      Liabilities      Instruments      Pledged(2)      Amount(3)  

 

    

 

 

 
     Assets

 

     Liabilities

 

 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts      $267,210         ($122,931)         $—         $144,279         $122,931         ($122,931)         $—         $—   

 

(1)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

(2)

Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3)

Net amount represents the net amount payable from the counterparty in the event of default.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

 

19


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman investment company. The Subsidiary has received an undertaking from the Government of the Cayman Islands exempting it from all local income, profits and capital gains taxes. No such taxes are levied in the Cayman Islands at the present time. For U.S. income tax purposes, the Subsidiary is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and as such is not subject to U.S. income tax.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the consolidated financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

CURRENCY RISK — Investment in foreign securities involves currency risk associated with securities that trade or are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to a foreign currency may cause the U.S. dollar value of an investment in that country to decline. Foreign currencies also are subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains from a favorable change in value between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency pricing may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in these contracts.

COMMODITY SECTOR RISK — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKET RISK — A substantial portion of the trades of the Fund are expected to take place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. There is no limit to the amount of assets of the Fund that may be committed to trading on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures and options on futures contracts can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures and options on futures contracts involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade or exchange. Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

 

20


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

COUNTERPARTY RISK — The derivative contracts entered into by the Fund or its Subsidiary may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.

CREDIT RISK — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument will not be able to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund uses futures contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. Pursuant to the futures contract, the Fund agrees to receive from, or pay to the broker, an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such a receipt of payment is known as “variation margin” and is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Futures contracts have market risks, including the risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amount shown on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contract. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS — The Fund uses forward foreign currency contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. These contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable translation rates. The Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is closed. A forward contract is extinguished through a closing transaction or upon delivery of the currency or entering an offsetting contract. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other currencies. A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to forward foreign currency contracts is the fair value of the contract. The risk may be mitigated to some extent if a master netting arrangement between a Fund and the counterparty is in place and to the extent a Fund obtains collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

21


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, LP. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Campbell has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.25%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.25%, the Adviser may recoup from the Fund any waived amount or other payments remitted by the Adviser within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

For the period ended August 31, 2016, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $111,336 and $107,862, respectively, and fees reimbursed by the Adviser were $58,631. At August 31, 2016, the amount of potential recovery by the Adviser was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION

AUGUST 31, 2019

$166,493

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees. For the period ended August 31, 2016, BNY Mellon accrued administration and accounting fees totaling $108,625 and waived fees totaling $36,198.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimums, and out of pocket expenses. For the period ended August 31, 2016, BNY Mellon accrued transfer agent fees totaling $18,480 and waived fees totaling $8,700.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses. For the period ended August 31, 2016, the Custodian accrued custodian fees totaling $12,287 and waived fees totaling $5,325.

BNY Mellon and the Custodian have the ability to recover such amounts previously waived, if the Fund terminates its agreements with BNY Mellon or the Custodian within three years of signing the agreements.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

22


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

3. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the period ended August 31, 2016 was $7,385. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the period ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $11,253 in officer fees.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the period ended August 31, 2016, there were no purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, excluding short term investments for cash management purposes.

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the consolidated financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

               NET
FEDERAL TAX    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED
COST    APPRECIATION    DEPRECIATION    DEPRECIATION
$12,996,810    $—    $(883,191)    $(883,191)

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to short-term realized gains being offset with current net operating loss, reclassification of capital gains and income received from wholly-owned controlled foreign corporation, reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions and reclassifications for treatment of certain foreign currency transactions were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED    ACCUMULATED     
NET INVESTMENT    NET REALIZED    PAID-IN
INCOME    GAINS    CAPITAL
$39,120    $826,857    $(865,977)

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

               QUALIFIED     
UNDISTRIBUTED    UNDISTRIBUTED    UNREALIZED    LATE-YEAR    OTHER TEMPORARY
ORDINARY INCOME    LONG-TERM  GAINS    APPRECIATION    LOSSES    DIFFERENCES
$837,011    $678,777    $173,150    $—    $—

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains of the Subsidiary for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

There were no dividends and distributions paid during the period ended August 31, 2016.

 

23


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONCLUDED)

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had no capital loss carryforwards.

6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC replaced BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A. will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

24


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated portfolio of investments, of the Campbell Core Carry Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of operations, consolidated statement of changes in net assets and the consolidated financial highlights for the period December 21, 2015 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2016. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Campbell Core Carry Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations, the consolidated changes in its net assets and its consolidated financial highlights for the period December 21, 2015 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2016

 

25


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. During the period ended August 31, 2016, there were no distributions paid.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

26


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6488 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company will file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q will be available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

27


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the information contained in the Annual Report for the period ended August 31, 2016 is accurate and complete.

 

LOGO

 

G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer

Campbell & Company, LP

CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

 

28


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 882-1226.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
 

 Position(s)  

Held

with

Company

 

 Term of Office  

 and Length of  

 Time Served 1  

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of

Portfolios in

  Fund Complex  

Overseen by
Director*

 

  

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5 Years

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202        

Age: 83

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

1988 to present  

  

 

From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).

 

 

24

  

 

AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

 

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

 

 

 

Director

 

 

2002 to present

  

 

Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.

 

 

24

  

 

None

 

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

 

 

Director

 

 

2012 to present

  

 

Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003- 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

 

 

24

  

 

Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

 

 

Director

 

 

2006 to present

  

 

Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.

 

 

24

  

 

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

 

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

 

 

 

Director

 

 

2016 to present

  

 

Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).

 

 

 

24

  

 

None

 

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202        

Age: 68

 

 

 

Chairman Director

 

 

2005 to present 1991 to present

  

 

Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).

 

 

 

24

  

 

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

 

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 85

 

 

 

Director

 

 

2006 to present

  

 

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).

 

 

 

24

  

 

Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

29


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
 

 Position(s)  

Held

with

Company

 

Term of Office  
and Length of  

Time Served 1  

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of

Portfolios in

  Fund Complex  

Overseen by
Director*

 

  

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5 Years

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

 

 

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202             Age: 78

 

 

 

Director

 

 

1991 to present

  

 

Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

 

 

24

  

 

None

 

30


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex 
Overseen by
Director*

 

 

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director
        in the Past 5 Years        

 

 

OFFICERS

 

       

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate

Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

  President Chief Compliance Officer   2009 to present  
2004 to present
  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A
       

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 55

 

  Treasurer and Secretary   2016 to present   From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A
       

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2016   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A
       

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

 

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2016   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).   N/A   N/A
       

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

 

  Assistant Secretary   Since 2016   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present)   N/A   N/A
       

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 59

 

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1  Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Messrs, Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2  Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

31


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

Campbell Core Carry Fund

 

FACTS    

 

WHAT DOES THE CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION?

 

 

Why?

 

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
    ● Social Security number
    ● account balances
    ● account transactions
    ● transaction history
    ● wire transfer instructions
    ● checking account information
   

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How?

 

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Campbell Core Carry Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information      

 

Does the Campbell Core

Carry Fund Share?

 

 

 

Can you limit this

sharing?

 

 

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

     

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

     

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

      No  

 

We don’t share

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

 

     

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

     

No

 

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

     

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 1-844-261-6488

 

 

32


CAMPBELL CORE CARRY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED) (CONCLUDED)

 

 

What we do

 

    

 

How does the Campbell Core Carry Fund protect my personal information?

 

  

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

 

How does the Campbell Core Carry Fund collect my personal information?

  

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

● open an account

● provide account information

● give us your contact information

● make a wire transfer

● tell us where to send the money

    

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

● sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

● affiliates from using your information to market to you

● sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

 

Definitions

 

    

 

Affiliates

  

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Our affiliates include Campbell Core Carry Fund’s investment adviser, Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

  

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

The Campbell Core Carry Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

 

 

Joint marketing

  

 

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

The Campbell Core Carry Fund does not jointly market.

 

 

33


Investment Adviser

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC

2850 Quarry Lake Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21209

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

 

CAMC-AR16


 

 

LOGO

CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.



CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISERS REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

The Campbell Core Trend Fund’s primary objective is to seek capital appreciation by exploiting the tendency of asset markets to exhibit persistent trends. The Fund is diversified across global futures and forward markets and can be either long or short, resulting in a low long-term correlation to traditional investments.

PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND

 

NAME

   12 MONTH RETURN
SEPTEMBER 1,  2015
THROUGH
AUGUST 31, 2016
   INCEPTION
THROUGH
AUGUST 31, 2016*

Campbell Core Trend Fund - Institutional Class

   -3.36%    -3.74%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

   0.17%    0.11%

Barclay BTOP50 Index

   1.55%    -0.69%

Newedge Trend Index

   0.92%    0.11%

MSCI World Index

   4.50%    0.34%

* Inception date of the Fund is December 31, 2014.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-800-698-7235. Performance would have been lower without fee waivers in effect.

Returns of the Fund’s Institutional shares for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 (“Fiscal Year 2016”) are shown in the table above, along with the performance of several industry benchmarks, the 3-month Treasury-Bill Index and the MSCI World Index. The Fund finished Fiscal Year 2016 with positive performance in Commodities and Fixed Income, and negative performance in Foreign Exchange and Equity Indices.

The rally in global bonds led to sizable gains for the Fund, which maintained a net long position for most of Fiscal Year 2016 and profited as prices moved higher (yields lower). Net short exposure to the energy complex also led to profits, as the Fund was well-positioned for the late 2015 / early 2016 sell-off. On the negative side, a lack of persistent trends in the equity sector led to losses, as the Fund was whipsawed by a number of reversals during the year.

In general, we continue to see significant outperformance of Long-Term (greater than 3 months) strategies, while Medium-Term (1-3 months) strategies have lagged behind. The dispersion in returns between the different time horizons has been significant since mid-2015, and is a primary driver of the performance differential between the Fund and the industry benchmarks, which tend to be longer-term focused.

FISCAL YEAR 2016 HIGHLIGHTS

Trend following has been a primary focus for our research team over the past year, with a number of new strategies developed. Research has also developed an innovative new risk management framework, which may be incorporated into the portfolio in fiscal year 2017. Other focus areas for Research include commodity-specific strategies and trend filter diversification.

Industry education continues to be an important focus for Campbell. We most recently published two educational White Papers, entitled “Introduction to Global Carry” and “Taming of the Skew.” The first paper provides an overview of multi-asset carry, while the second explores the source of skew in trend following returns. If you would like a copy of either paper, please let us know.

Finally, we are pleased to report a senior level addition to our team. Joseph D. Kelly joined Campbell in September 2016 and will be assuming the role of Managing Director of the Client Solutions Group. Joe will be responsible for managing the institutional sales and consultant relations efforts. Prior to joining Campbell, Mr. Kelly held leadership roles at several alternative asset management firms.

 

1


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISERS REPORT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

We look forward to speaking with you during the coming year and welcome any questions you may have regarding the Fund.

 

 

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

The Newedge Trend Index is equal-weighted and reconstituted annually. The index calculates the net daily rate of return for a pool of trend following based hedge fund managers.

The MSCI World Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 23 developed markets countries.

 

2


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in

Campbell Core Trend Fund vs. Barclays BTOP50 Index

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund is made on December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Barclays BTOP50 Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016  
      One      Since  
        Year        Inception*  

Campbell Core Trend Fund, Institutional Shares

     -3.36%         -3.74%   

Barclay BTOP50 Index**

     1.55%         -0.69%   

 

* Inception date of the Fund is December 31, 2014.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance data quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the returns quoted above. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Call the Fund at 1-844-261-6488 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 30, 2015, is 4.39% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.26%. Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

An investment in the Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of its investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards and spot contracts, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies,

 

3


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

 

foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). To maintain qualification for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution of its income requirements. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC and became subject to federal income tax, shareholders of the Fund would be subject to diminished returns.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index. The August returns are estimates for the BTOP50.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

4


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line of the accompanying table 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 the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2016    AUGUST 31, 2016*    DURING PERIOD*

Actual

     $ 1,000.00        $ 971.70        $ 6.20  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,018.85          6.34  

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.25% for the Institutional Shares, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense, if any), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the fiscal half-year (184) then divided by 366 days to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month total return for the Institutional Shares of the Fund of (2.83)%.

 

5


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2016

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at August 31, 2016.

 

     OF NET         
SECURITY TYPE/SECTOR CLASSIFICATION    ASSETS      VALUE  

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

     

            U.S. Treasury Obligations

     71.4%       $ 6,698,047   
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (including futures and forward foreign currency contracts)      28.6            2,687,866   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

            NET ASSETS

     100.0%       $   9,385,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Refer to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

6


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

    COUPON*     MATURITY     PAR     VALUE  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 71.4%

       

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—71.4%

       

United States Treasury Bill

    0.275%        09/22/16      $ 3,350,000      $ 3,349,472   

United States Treasury Bill

    0.320%        10/20/16        3,350,000        3,348,575   
       

 

 

 
          6,698,047   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $ 6,698,047)

          6,698,047   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS —71.4%
(Cost $ 6,698,047)

          6,698,047   
       

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 28.6%

          2,687,866   
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

        $   9,385,913   
       

 

 

 

 

* Short-term investments reflect the annualized effective yield on the date of purchase for discounted investments.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

7


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                          UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION      NUMBER OF              NOTIONAL              APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

   DATE              CONTRACTS              COST      (DEPRECIATION)  

10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond

     09/09/16         1                     $ 146,969       $ (610

3-Month Euro Euribor

     09/18/17         16                       4,477,225         187   

90-Day Bank Bill

     12/09/16         18                       13,469,858         3,262   

90-DAY Eurodollar

     09/18/17         10                       2,476,060         (2,935

90-DAY Sterling

     09/20/17         23                       3,758,647         6,832   

Amsterdam Index

     09/16/16         1                       99,990         1,360   

Australian 10-Year Bond

     09/16/16         15                       1,533,625         20,891   

Australian 3-Year Bond

     09/15/16         43                       3,662,628         6,335   

Brent Crude

     09/30/16         1                       50,202         (3,312

Canadian 10-Year Bond

     12/30/16         12                       1,341,956         1,067   

Coffee

     12/30/16         3                       165,496         (65

Cotton No.2

     12/21/16         6                       220,142         (23,402

Dow Jones E-Mini

     09/16/16         5                       458,002         1,873   

Euro Buxl 30-Year Bond

     09/08/16         2                       396,701         33,818   

Euro-Bobl

     09/08/16         10                       1,479,565         10,563   

Euro-BTP

     09/08/16         9                       1,447,584         13,096   

Euro-Bund

     09/12/16         10                       1,852,069         14,969   

Euro-OAT

     09/12/16         14                       2,487,590         31,161   

Euro-Schatz

     09/12/16         16                       1,996,415         2,648   

FTSE 100 Index

     09/19/16         3                       263,506         3,824   

Gold 100 Oz

     12/30/16         5                       670,462         (14,762

Hang Seng Index

     09/30/16         2                       293,553         2,018   

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

     09/21/16         24                       989,001         (28,551

London Metals Exchange Copper

     09/21/16         3                       363,185         (17,641

London Metals Exchange Nickel

     09/21/16         9                       531,493         (6,532

London Metals Exchange Zinc

     09/21/16         10                       530,145         46,793   

Long Gilt

     12/30/16         6                       1,033,951         2,357   

Low Sulphur Gas Oil

     10/31/16         1                       44,802         (2,827

MSCI Singapore Index

     09/30/16         3                       70,007         (1,659

MSCI Taiwan Index

     09/29/16         12                       405,923         (3,563

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini

     09/16/16         4                       377,263         4,637   

Natural Gas

     10/31/16         4                       114,479         1,001   

OMX Stockholm 30 Index

     09/16/16         3                       49,425         259   

Palladium

     12/30/16         2                       136,605         (2,615

Platinum

     10/31/16         2                       107,075         (1,725

Russell 2000 Index

     09/16/16         2                       243,701         4,059   

S&P 500 E-Mini

     09/16/16         4                       429,208         4,692   

S&P Mid 400 E-Mini

     09/16/16         2                       308,981         3,779   

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     09/15/16         6                       770,867         7,019   

SGX Nifty 50 Index

     09/29/16         18                       312,632         5,770   

Silver

     12/30/16         4                       379,659         (5,519

Soybean

     11/16/16         1                       50,003         (2,853

SPI 200 Index

     09/16/16         4                       406,258         331   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

     12/15/16         17                       381,432         511   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes

     12/30/16         8                       1,050,137         (2,762

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes

     01/05/17         8                       1,747,638         (1,138

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes

     01/05/17         12                       1,456,799         (1,799

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     12/30/16         4                       683,163         (1,663

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

     12/30/16         3                       562,059         347   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 56,284,136       $ 109,526   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

8


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

                         UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION      NUMBER OF              NOTIONAL             APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE              CONTRACTS              COST     (DEPRECIATION)  

Cattle Feeder

     09/29/16         -1                     $ (73,347   $ 3,085   

Cocoa

     12/30/16         -2                       (58,044     84   

Corn

     12/16/16         -13                       (214,375     9,300   

FTSE/JSE Top 40

     09/15/16         -1                       (31,009     (469

FTSE/MIB Index

     09/16/16         -1                       (91,297     (3,170

Gasoline RBOB

     10/30/16         -2                       (112,723     718   

Lean Hogs

     10/14/16         -8                       (203,796     2,676   

Live Cattle

     11/15/16         -8                       (351,287     10,246   

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

     09/21/16         -14                       (565,207     4,945   

London Metals Exchange Copper

     09/21/16         -5                       (584,297     8,391   

London Metals Exchange Nickel

     09/21/16         -6                       (335,972     (14,002

London Metals Exchange Zinc

     09/21/16         -1                       (50,169     (7,525

Nikkei 225

     09/09/16         -1                       (80,099     (1,499

Topix Index

     09/09/16         -1                       (125,253     (3,341

Wheat

     12/16/16         -17                       (367,189     37,176   

WTI Crude

     10/31/16         -1                       (47,138     2,438   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (3,291,202   $ 49,053   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

         $ 52,992,934      $ 158,579   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

9


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                                      UNREALIZED  
                                      APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY      (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 

AUD

     400,000         USD         301,970       09/21/16      UBS               $      (1,512

AUD

     400,000         USD         303,167       09/21/16      UBS               (2,709

AUD

     200,000         USD         151,928       09/21/16      UBS               (1,699

AUD

     100,000         USD         74,120       09/21/16      UBS               995   

AUD

     100,000         USD         74,969       09/21/16      UBS               146   

CAD

     500,000         USD         388,278       09/21/16      UBS               (6,963

CAD

     200,000         USD         156,544       09/21/16      UBS               (4,018

CAD

     100,000         USD         77,091       09/21/16      UBS               (828

CAD

     100,000         USD         77,227       09/21/16      UBS               (964

CAD

     100,000         USD         77,343       09/21/16      UBS               (1,080

CAD

     100,000         USD         77,705       09/21/16      UBS               (1,442

EUR

     300,000         USD         336,737       09/21/16      UBS               (1,786

EUR

     300,000         USD         340,119       09/21/16      UBS               (5,168

EUR

     300,000         USD         341,802       09/21/16      UBS               (6,851

EUR

     200,000         USD         223,357       09/21/16      UBS               (56

GBP

     100,000         USD         146,263       09/21/16      UBS               (14,877

JPY

     54,300,000         USD         506,624       09/21/16      UBS               18,711   

JPY

     23,800,000         USD         231,489       09/21/16      UBS               (1,231

JPY

     19,300,000         USD         188,770       09/21/16      UBS               (2,050

JPY

     14,600,000         USD         143,876       09/21/16      UBS               (2,626

JPY

     1,300,000         USD         12,944       09/21/16      UBS               (367

MXN

     5,200,000         USD         280,342       09/21/16      UBS               (4,403

MXN

     3,300,000         USD         178,591       09/21/16      UBS               (3,475

MXN

     1,900,000         USD         102,725       09/21/16      UBS               (1,901

MXN

     800,000         USD         43,522       09/21/16      UBS               (1,070

NOK

     3,000,000         USD         361,747       09/21/16      UBS               (1,706

NOK

     1,200,000         USD         147,689       09/21/16      UBS               (3,672

NOK

     900,000         USD         107,958       09/21/16      UBS               54   

NOK

     200,000         USD         23,883       09/21/16      UBS               120   

NZD

     700,000         USD         503,370       09/21/16      UBS               4,094   

NZD

     500,000         USD         347,440       09/21/16      UBS               15,034   

NZD

     200,000         USD         144,963       09/21/16      UBS               26   

NZD

     200,000         USD         145,027       09/21/16      UBS               (38

SEK

     3,100,000         USD         383,109       09/21/16      UBS               (20,597

SEK

     2,400,000         USD         285,314       09/21/16      UBS               (4,660

SEK

     1,000,000         USD         120,182       09/21/16      UBS               (3,243

SEK

     100,000         USD         11,835       09/21/16      UBS               (141

SEK

     100,000         USD         11,893       09/21/16      UBS               (199

SGD

     600,000         USD         442,453       09/21/16      UBS               (2,095

SGD

     600,000         USD         446,827       09/21/16      UBS               (6,468

SGD

     500,000         USD         373,029       09/21/16      UBS               (6,062

SGD

     100,000         USD         74,603       09/21/16      UBS               (1,210

USD

     221,856         AUD         300,000       09/21/16      UBS               (3,487

USD

     73,332         AUD         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               (1,783

USD

     228,726         CAD         300,000       09/21/16      UBS               (63

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

10


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

                                      UNREALIZED  
                                      APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY      (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 

USD

     153,686         CAD         200,000       09/21/16      UBS             $ 1,160   

USD

     153,490         CAD         200,000       09/21/16      UBS               964   

USD

     153,286         CAD         200,000       09/21/16      UBS               760   

USD

     556,035         EUR         500,000       09/21/16      UBS               (2,217

USD

     448,550         EUR         400,000       09/21/16      UBS               1,949   

USD

     223,125         EUR         200,000       09/21/16      UBS               (176

USD

     111,121         EUR         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               (530

USD

     291,494         GBP         200,000       09/21/16      UBS               28,722   

USD

     130,655         GBP         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               (731

USD

     182,035         JPY         18,650,000       09/21/16      UBS               1,602   

USD

     163,574         JPY         16,960,000       09/21/16      UBS               (509

USD

     145,262         JPY         14,990,000       09/21/16      UBS               238   

USD

     9,701         JPY         1,000,000       09/21/16      UBS               26   

USD

     581,470         MXN         10,900,000       09/21/16      UBS               3,059   

USD

     240,813         MXN         4,500,000       09/21/16      UBS               2,019   

USD

     100,992         MXN         1,900,000       09/21/16      UBS               168   

USD

     5,428         MXN         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               121   

USD

     437,595         NOK         3,700,000       09/21/16      UBS               (6,455

USD

     47,692         NOK         400,000       09/21/16      UBS               (314

USD

     11,968         NOK         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               (34

USD

     280,064         NZD         400,000       09/21/16      UBS               (9,915

USD

     654,527         SEK         5,500,000       09/21/16      UBS               11,361   

USD

     365,025         SEK         3,100,000       09/21/16      UBS               2,514   

USD

     12,048         SEK         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               354   

USD

     368,524         SGD         500,000       09/21/16      UBS               1,559   

USD

     146,636         SGD         200,000       09/21/16      UBS               (150

USD

     73,927         SGD         100,000       09/21/16      UBS               534   

USD

     131,059         ZAR         1,900,000       09/21/16      UBS               2,374   

USD

     92,343         ZAR         1,400,000       09/21/16      UBS               (2,478

USD

     77,504         ZAR         1,100,000       09/21/16      UBS               3,002   

USD

     27,537         ZAR         400,000       09/21/16      UBS               445   

ZAR

     4,200,000         USD         293,761       09/21/16      UBS               (9,299

ZAR

     3,300,000         USD         234,846       09/21/16      UBS               (11,341

ZAR

     400,000         USD         27,367       09/21/16      UBS               (275
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

  

   $ (64,813
                 

 

 

 

 

AUD    Australian Dollar       NZD    New Zealand Dollar
CAD    Canadian Dollar       SEK    Swedish Krona
EUR    Euro       SGD    Singapore Dollar
FTSE    Financial Times Stock Exchange       SGX    Singapore Stock Exchange
GBP    British Pound       TSX    Toronto Stock Exchange
JPY    Japanese Yen       UBS    UBS AG
JSE    Johannesburg Stock Exchange       USD    United States Dollar
MXN    Mexican Peso       WTI    West Texas Intermediate
NOK    Norwegian Krone       ZAR    South African Rand

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

11


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $6,698,047)

   $ 6,698,047   

Cash

     1,170,522   

Cash collateral on futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts

     1,391,852   

Deposits with broker for futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts

     52,581   

Receivables for:

  

Variation margin

     158,579   

Due from Adviser

     50,486   

Prepaid expenses

     22,548   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     102,111   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     9,646,726   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Audit and tax service fees

     40,785   

Administration and accounting fees

     23,453   

Legal fees

     19,321   

Transfer agent fees

     2,957   

Custodian fees

     1,341   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     166,924   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     6,032   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     260,813   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 9,385,913   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 Par value

   $ 1,013   

Paid-in capital

     9,375,119   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (62,169

Accumulated net realized loss from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts

     (20,402

Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contracts

     92,352   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 9,385,913   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 9,385,913   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     1,013,405   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 9.26   
  

 

 

 

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

 

12


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 11,921   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     11,921   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     100,465   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     134,356   

Audit and tax service fees

     40,468   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     20,564   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     18,709   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     16,828   

Legal fees

     16,762   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     15,057   

Registration and filing fees

     11,939   

Insurance fees

     6,054   

Other expenses

     5,699   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     386,901   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (267,300
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     119,601   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (107,680
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

     (111,455

Foreign currency transactions

     1,799   

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (36,652
  

 

 

 

Net realized loss from investments

     (146,308
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

     (6,251

Foreign currency translations

     (5,501

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (62,859
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (74,611
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (220,919
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (328,599
  

 

 

 

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

 

13


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE    FOR THE
     YEAR ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
     AUGUST 31, 2016    AUGUST 31, 2015(1)

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
OPERATIONS:

      

Net investment loss

     $ (107,680   $ (84,553

Net realized gain/(loss) from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts

       (146,308     (367,898

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures contracts, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contracts

       (74,611     166,963   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

       (328,599     (285,488
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

      

Net realized gains

       (128,960       
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (128,960       
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

      

Institutional Shares

      

Proceeds from shares sold

              10,000,000   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

       128,960          
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

       128,960        10,000,000   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

       128,960        10,000,000   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

       (328,599     9,714,512   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

      

Beginning of period

       9,714,512          
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

     $     9,385,913      $     9,714,512   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

     $ (62,169   $   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

      

Institutional Shares

      

Shares sold

              1,000,000   

Shares reinvested

       13,405          
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

       13,405        1,000,000   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

       13,405        1,000,000   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.

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

 

14


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL SHARES  
           FOR THE  
     FOR THE     PERIOD  
     YEAR ENDED     ENDED  
     AUGUST 31, 2016     AUGUST 31, 2015(1)  

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $  9.71        $10.00   

Net investment loss(2)

     (0.11     (0.08

Net realized and unrealized loss from investments

        (0.21        (0.21

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

        (0.32        (0.29

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net realized gains

        (0.13            —   

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (0.13            —   

Net asset value, end of period

     $  9.26        $  9.71   

Total investment return(3)

        (3.36 )%         (2.90 )% 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $9,386        $9,715   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

     1.25     1.26 %(4)(5) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

     4.04     4.39 %(5) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

     (1.13 )%      (1.25 )%(5) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     0.00     0.00 %(6) 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.
(2) Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(3) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any. Periods less than one year are not annualized.
(4) Expense ratio includes interest expense. Excluding such interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would be 1.25% for the period ended August 31, 2015.
(5) Annualized.
(6) Not annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

15


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Campbell Core Trend Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014. The Fund offers Institutional Class shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARY — The Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating (i) up to 25% of its assets in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Campbell Core Offshore Limited (the “Subsidiary”), that employs the Adviser’s Campbell Core Trend Program and (ii) the remainder of its assets directly in a portfolio of investment grade securities (including government securities) for cash management purposes. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the ratings agencies are considered investment grade. The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the financial statements of the Subsidiary. The Fund consolidates the results of subsidiaries in which the Fund holds a controlling economic interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of August 31, 2016, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $1,213,901, which represented 12.9% of the Fund’s net assets.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates fair value. Forward exchange contracts are valued by interpolating between spot and forward currency rates as quoted by an independent pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued using the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

• 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.

 

16


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
      AUGUST 31, 2016     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  

Short-Term Investments

   $ 6,698,047      $      $ 6,698,047      $   

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

     127,364        127,364                 

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     39,621        39,621                 

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     147,533        147,533                 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     102,111               102,111          

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 7,114,676      $ 314,518      $ 6,800,158      $   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
      AUGUST 31, 2016     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

   $ (131,331   $ (131,331   $      $   

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     (13,701     (13,701              

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     (10,907     (10,907              

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     (166,924            (166,924       

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $         (322,863   $         (155,939   $         (166,924   $             —   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of

 

17


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES — Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of another security or financial instrument. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund used long and short contracts on foreign currencies and U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, and commodities (through investment in the Subsidiary), to gain investment exposure in accordance with its investment objective.

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of, and gains and losses on, the Fund’s derivative instruments as of and for the year ended August 31, 2016.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2016 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

     CONSOLIDATED                               
     STATEMENT                               
     OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN              
     LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

  

 

 

Forward Contracts

   Unrealized
appreciation on

forward foreign
currency contracts

   $      $      $ 102,111      $      $ 102,111   

Futures

Contracts(a)

   Receivable:
Variation Margin
     39,621        147,533               127,364        314,518   

 

 

Total Value - Assets

      $             39,621      $             147,533      $             102,111      $             127,364      $             416,629   

 

 
Liability Derivatives   

 

 

Forward Contracts

   Unrealized

depreciation on

forward foreign
currency contracts

   $      $      $ (166,924   $      $ (166,924

 

 

Futures

Contracts(a)

   Receivable:
Variation Margin
     (13,701     (10,907            (131,331     (155,939

 

 

Total Value - Liabilities

      $ (13,701   $ (10,907   $ (166,924   $ (131,331   $ (322,863

 

 

 

(a) This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

18


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or (losses) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

     CONSOLIDATED                                  
     STATEMENT OF            INTEREST      FOREIGN              
     OPERATIONS      EQUITY     RATE      CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Realized Gain (Loss)

  

 

 

Futures Contracts

    
 
 
Net realized gain
(loss) from Futures
Contracts
  
  
  
   $ (458,928   $ 128,664       $      $ 218,809      $ (111,455

Forward Contracts

    
 
 
 
Net realized gain
(loss) from
Forward Foreign
Currency Contracts
  
  
  
  
     —                 (36,652            (36,652

 

 
Total Realized Gain (Loss)       $             (458,928)      $             128,664       $             (36,652   $             218,809      $             (148,107

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2016, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

   

     CONSOLIDATED                                  
     STATEMENT OF            INTEREST      FOREIGN              
     OPERATIONS      EQUITY     RATE      CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

 

 

Futures Contracts

    

 

 
 
 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation
(depreciation) from
Futures Contracts

  

  

  
  
  

   $ 34,539      $ 141,241       $      $ (182,031   $ (6,251

 

 

Forward Contracts

    
 

 
 
 
 

Net change in
unrealized

appreciation
(depreciation) from
Forward Foreign
Currency Contracts

  
  

  
  
  
  

                    (62,859            (62,859

 

 
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)       $             34,539      $             141,241       $             (62,859   $             (182,031   $             (69,110

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives is as follows:

 

LONG FUTURES
NOTIONAL
COST

  

SHORT FUTURES
NOTIONAL
COST

  

FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — PAYABLE
(VALUE AT TRADE DATE)

  

FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — RECEIVABLE
(VALUE  AT TRADE DATE)

$34,451,461    $(6,693,001)    $(36,560,655)    $36,560,655

 

19


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (receivables) or the obligation to return cash collateral (payables) arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

The following is a summary of financial and derivative instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements (or similar arrangements) and collateral received and pledged in connection with the master netting agreements (or similar arrangements).

 

            Gross Amount Not                 Gross Amount Not                
     Gross Amount      Offset          Gross Amount      Offset                
     Presented in the      in Consolidated          Presented in the      in Consolidated                
     Consolidated      Statement of          Consolidated      Statement of                
     Statement of      Assets and Liabilities          Statement of          Assets and Liabilities                    
     Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net          Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net  

Description

 

  

Liabilities

 

    

Instruments

 

    

Received

 

    

Amount(1)

 

        

Liabilities

 

    

Instruments

 

    

Pledged(2)

 

    

Amount(3)

 

 
     Assets           Liabilities   
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts      $102,111         ($102,111)         $—         $—           $166,924         ($102,111)         ($64,813)         $—   

 

(1) Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

(2) Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3) Net amount represents the net amount payable from the counterparty in the event of default.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal

 

20


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman investment company. The Subsidiary has received an undertaking from the Government of the Cayman Islands exempting it from all local income, profits and capital gains taxes. No such taxes are levied in the Cayman Islands at the present time. For U.S. income tax purposes, the Subsidiary is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and as such is not subject to U.S. income tax.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the consolidated financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

CURRENCY RISK — Investment in foreign securities involves currency risk associated with securities that trade or are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to a foreign currency may cause the U.S. dollar value of an investment in that country to decline. Foreign currencies also are subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains from a favorable change in value between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency pricing may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in these contracts.

COMMODITY SECTOR RISK — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKET RISK — A substantial portion of the trades of the Fund are expected to take place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. There is no limit to the amount of assets of the Fund that may be committed to trading on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures and options on futures contracts can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures and options on futures contracts involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade or exchange. Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

COUNTERPARTY RISK — The derivative contracts entered into by the Fund or its Subsidiary may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends

 

21


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.

CREDIT RISK — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument will not be able to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund uses futures contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. Pursuant to the futures contract, the Fund agrees to receive from, or pay to the broker, an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such a receipt of payment is known as “variation margin” and is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Futures contracts have market risks, including the risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amount shown on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contract. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS — The Fund uses forward foreign currency contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. These contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable translation rates. The Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is closed. A forward contract is extinguished through a closing transaction or upon delivery of the currency or entering an offsetting contract. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other currencies. A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to forward foreign currency contracts is the fair value of the contract. The risk may be mitigated to some extent if a master netting arrangement between a Fund and the counterparty is in place and to the extent a Fund obtains collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

22


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, LP. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Campbell has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.25%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.25%, the Adviser may recoup from the Fund any waived amount or other payments remitted by the Adviser within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $100,465 and fees reimbursed by the Adviser were $165,134. At August 31, 2016, the amount of potential recovery by the Adviser was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION
AUGUST 31, 2018    AUGUST 31, 2019    TOTAL
$159,376    $265,599    $424,975

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees. For the year ended August 31, 2016, BNY Mellon accrued administration and accounting fees totaling $134,356 and waived fees totaling $1,247.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimums, and out of pocket expenses. For the year ended August 31, 2016, BNY Mellon accrued transfer agent fees totaling $18,709 and waived fees totaling $303.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Custodian accrued custodian fees totaling $15,057 and waived fees totaling $151.

BNY Mellon and the Custodian have the ability to recover such amounts previously waived, if the Fund terminates its agreements with BNY Mellon or the Custodian within three years of signing the agreements.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

23


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONTINUED)

 

3. DIRECTOR’S AND OFFICER’S COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $6,617. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $10,034 in officer fees.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, excluding short term investments for cash management purposes.

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the consolidated financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

FEDERAL TAX

COST

  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
  NET
UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
$8,475,749   $—   $(563,801)   $(563,801)

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses, short-term realized gains being offset with current net operating loss, reclassification of capital gains and income received from wholly-owned controlled foreign corporation, reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions and reclassifications for treatment of certain foreign currency transactions were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME

   ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN
   PAID-IN
CAPITAL
$45,511    $109,655    $(155,166)

 

24


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2016

(CONCLUDED)

 

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

ORDINARY  INCOME

   UNDISTRIBUTED
L
ONG-TERM GAINS
   UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
   QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR
LOSSES
  CAPITAL LOSS
C
ARRYFORWARDS
  OTHER  TEMPORARY
D
IFFERENCES
$—    $—    $115,570    $(67,899)   $(37,890)   $—

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains of the Subsidiary for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

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

 

       Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total  
  2016       $ 22,182       $ 106,778       $ 128,960   
  2015       $       $       $   

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Funds may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Campbell Core Trend Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

Late-Year

Ordinary

Loss Deferral

   Post-October
Short-Term
Capital

Loss Deferral
   Post-October
Long-Term
Capital

Loss Deferral
$34,467    $13,448    $19,984

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards of $37,890 of which $5,629 are short-term losses and $32,261 are long-term losses.

6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC replaced BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A. will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

25


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated portfolio of investments, of the Campbell Core Trend Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, and the consolidated statements of changes in net assets and the consolidated financial highlights for the year then ended and the period December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2015. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Campbell Core Trend Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2016, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, and the consolidated changes in its net assets and its consolidated financial highlights for the year then ended and the period December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2016

 

26


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $22,182 of ordinary income and $106,778 of capital gain distributions to shareholders.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

27


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6488 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Campbell and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Campbell with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided in advance of the Meeting, including the Lipper materials, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Campbell’s services to be provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Campbell’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Campbell’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Campbell’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Campbell’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Campbell’s advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Campbell’s compliance policies and procedures; (viii) Campbell’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Campbell. The Directors concluded that Campbell had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund. At the Meeting, the Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees to be paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) was compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. In addition, the Directors noted that Campbell has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund. The Directors noted that the Fund had underperformed the Fund’s primary benchmark for the since inception period ended March 31, 2016. The Directors noted that the Fund was in the 3rd quintile within its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe for the one-year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2015.

 

28


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, Campbell’s estimated profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Campbell’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved for an additional annual period ending August 16, 2017.

 

29


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR

AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the information contained in the Annual Report for the year ended August 31, 2016 is accurate and complete.

 

LOGO

G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer

Campbell & Company, LP

CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

 

30


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 882-1226.

 

           

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  Position(s)  
Held

with
Company

 

    Term of Office  
and Length of
Time Served 1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
  Fund Complex  
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

    in the Past 5 Years    

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

           

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

 

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24  

AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

 

           

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present  

Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.

 

  24   None
           

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present  

Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003- 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

  24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).
           

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24  

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

           

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

 

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None
           

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

  Chairman Director   2005 to present 1991 to present   Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).
           

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 85

 

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

31


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

 

 

           

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  Position(s)  
Held

with
Company

 

    Term of Office  
and Length of
Time Served 1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
  Fund Complex  
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

    in the Past 5 Years    

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

 

           

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present  

Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

 

  24   None

 

32


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

 

 

           

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  Position(s)  
Held

with
Company

 

    Term of Office  
and Length of
Time Served 1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
  Fund Complex  
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

    in the Past 5 Years    

 

 

OFFICERS

 

           

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

  President Chief Compliance Officer   2009 to present 2004 to present   Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A
           

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 55

  Treasurer and Secretary   2016 to present  

From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

  N/A   N/A
           

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2016  

Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).

 

  N/A   N/A
           

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

 

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2016  

Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).

 

  N/A   N/A
           

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

 

  Assistant Secretary   Since 2016   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007-present)   N/A   N/A
           

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,
Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 59

 

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

*Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

1Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Messrs, Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

33


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

Campbell Core Trend Fund

 

   

FACTS

 

  

WHAT DOES THE CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

   
Why?   

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

   
What?    The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
    

•Social Security number

    

•account balances

    

•account transactions

    

•transaction history

    

•wire transfer instructions

    

•checking account information

    

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

   
How?   

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Campbell Core Trend Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

     
Reasons we can share your information  

Does the Campbell Core Trend Fund Share?

 

  Can you limit this sharing?

 

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

 

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

 

Yes

 

 

No

 

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

 

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

 

 

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

 

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

 

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

 

No

 

 

We don’t share

 

 

Questions?    Call 1-844-261-6488

 

34


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED) (CONCLUDED)

 

 

What we do

 

    
How does the Campbell Core Trend Fund protect my personal information?   

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

How does the Campbell Core Trend Fund collect my personal information?   

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

•  open an account

•  provide account information

•  give us your contact information

•  make a wire transfer

•  tell us where to send the money

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?   

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

• affiliates from using your information to market to you

• sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions

 

    
Affiliates   

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

• Our affiliates include Campbell Core Trend Fund’s investment adviser, Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC.

 

Nonaffiliates   

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

• The Campbell Core Trend Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

 

Joint marketing   

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

• The Campbell Core Trend Fund does not jointly market.

 

 

35


[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]



Investment Adviser

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC

2850 Quarry Lake Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21209

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

CAMT-AR16


 

 

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Funds.


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

Enclosed is your annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

In both domestic and international equity markets, volatility remained high for much of the last fiscal year. The end of 2015 saw sizable swings both overseas and at home, punctuated by a steep decline in the markets in early 2016. However, after the initial decline, market returns came storming back the remainder of the first quarter and saw many of the early losses completely recouped. After experiencing a weak 2015, emerging markets provided much of the strength of the international markets performance in 2016.

There were many events that brought alarm and concern to those invested in the markets over the last 12 months — from the stark declines early in the year to the fear of what impact Brexit would have on the global economy and equity markets. Despite these occurrences, broad markets finished comfortably positive for the fiscal year.

The Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund had returns of 9.10%, 3.13% and 2.26%, respectively, for the 12 months ended August 31, 2016. This compared with a return of 8.79% in the Russell 2500® Index, a return of 0.53% in the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and a return of 2.03% for the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

Despite the turbulence in the market, seasoned investors, like Free Market Fund shareholders, did not panic and let the short-term volatility affect their long-term investing goals. When an investor can keep focused on the long term, and adheres to a prudent investment philosophy, the day-to-day ups and downs do not seem as threatening.

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money”) strives to deliver the performance of capital markets and add value through free market investment strategies and structured market portfolios. Grounded in the conviction that free markets work, Matson Money avoids the cost-generating activity of stock picking and market timing. Instead, we focus on the dimensions of capital markets that reward investors as intelligently and effectively as possible. Our disciplined approach to life-long investing provides both the individual investor and the financial professional with the academic foundation upon which to help achieve investment goals.

Each Free Market Fund strategy targets a broad and diverse group of stocks or bonds across various markets, using other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that specifically target certain asset classes. The Funds are broadly diversified and designed to work together in your total investment plan.

The work is never complete, however, and Matson Money will continue to research solutions to address your future needs. We invite you to contact your financial professional or explore our website, www.MatsonMoney.com, to learn more about the concepts and strategies of Matson Money’s investing.

We appreciate your support and confidence in our firm’s investment philosophy, process, and people. As always, we also appreciate your continued investment towards your long-term goals.

Thank you for investing with Matson Money, Inc.

 

LOGO

Mark E. Matson

Chief Executive Officer

Matson Money, Inc.

 

1


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund—Investment Review

The twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016 saw some short periods of fairly noticeable volatility, as well as some uncertainty geopolitically. The early part of 2016 saw losses of over 10% in a very short time period in several asset classes, and the threat and turmoil of a Brexit vote spooked markets and compounded the growing uneasiness abroad and at home. However, despite these negative headlines, many fundamentals remained solid domestically. Unemployment remained near decade lows and inflation stayed below long-term averages. Investors who remained invested for the entire year saw the market overcome these volatile periods to post positive gains across the board within U.S. asset classes. Small stocks as represented by the Russell 2000 Index returned 8.59% while other asset classes proved to be even more profitable, with the Russell 2000 Value Index, which measures small value U.S. stocks, showing the greatest return while posting an increase of 13.80%.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2016, the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund provided a total return of 9.10% at net asset value. This compares with a return of 8.79% for the fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2500® Index.

As a result of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings. Size is measured by market capitalization and “value” classification is a function of stock price relative to one or more fundamental characteristics.

U.S. large company stocks performed better than small company stocks. The Russell 2000 Index has returned 8.59% while the S&P 500 Index was up 12.55% for the fiscal year ended August 31. Furthermore, for the same time period, the Russell 2000 Value Index returned 13.80% and the Russell 1000 Value Index returned 12.92%.

In summary, U.S. large cap stocks performed better than small cap and U.S. value stocks did better than U.S. growth stocks, which also contributed to the returns of the Fund.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

2


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market U.S. Equity Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund vs. Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception*
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

    9.10%        8.83%        13.55%        8.30%   

Russell 2500® Index

    8.79%        9.62%        13.56%        7.95%   

Composite Index**

    12.05%        10.09%        13.71%        6.79%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
**

The Composite Index is comprised of the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Index and Russell 2000® Value Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 0.92% (included in the ratio is 0.32% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on an increase in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $16.18 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Free Market U.S. Equity Fund’s underlying funds invest in small-cap and micro-cap stocks, large-cap stocks and other equity securities. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, small companies entail special risk. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Fund will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses.

 

3


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market International Equity Fund—Investment Review

The global conditions proved tumultuous for investors during the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016. Tensions in the Eurozone continued to increase, culminating with an unexpected Brexit vote resulting in the United Kingdom deciding to leave the European Union. This rocked the geopolitical world and caused a short-term decline in investor confidence in the global markets, resulting in a global selloff immediately following the vote. However, this panic proved to be short lived as much of the losses following the Brexit vote were recouped quickly, with emerging markets leading the charge in the overall renaissance in global markets for the year.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2016, the Free Market International Equity Fund was up 3.13%. This compares with a return of 0.53% for the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index.

As a result of the Free Market International Equity Fund’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in global equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Free Market International Equity Fund, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings and broad exposure to emerging market equities.

International small company stocks fared better than international large company stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index (gross of dividends) returned 0.38% from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016, while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index was up 5.78%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (gross of dividends) decreased -3.27% while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Value Index was up 5.89% and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (net of dividends) was up 12.25%.

In summary, factors that buoyed the Fund’s return compared to the benchmark can largely be explained by its exposure in emerging markets, as well as its tilt toward small and small value stocks.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

4


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market International Equity Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market International Equity Fund vs. MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception*
 

Free Market International Equity Fund

     3.13%         3.32%         4.59%         1.63%   

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

     0.53%         2.22%         4.40%         -0.46%   

Composite Index**

     3.71%         3.34%         4.65%         0.54%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the MSCI EAFE Index, MSCI EAFE Value Index, MSCI EAFE Small Company Index, and MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 1.14% (included in the ratio is 0.50% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a decrease in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $9.24 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Free Market International Equity Fund’s underlying funds invest in common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into stocks and other equity securities issued by foreign companies. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, foreign and small companies entail special risk. The return on foreign equities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. Emerging markets may be subject to social instability and lack of market liquidity. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Fund will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses.

 

5


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund—Investment Review

The U.S. economy grew modestly during the twelve-months ended August 31, 2016. Total unemployment continued its decline toward pre-crash levels, leveling out below 5%, which many economists consider near full employment. Monetary policy remains accommodative, and the U.S. Federal Reserve did not make any changes to its policy of keeping the target for the federal funds rate near zero. In fact, several international countries dropped their interest rates below zero—these negative nominal rates are uncharted territory within the global economy. With the end of the Federal Reserve’s “easy money” policy still potentially looming, yields on short-term instruments continued to return relatively low results. Non-U.S. fixed income securities performed slightly better than U.S. fixed income securities. The broad proxy for the U.S. bond market, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, produced a 5.97% return, while the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (hedged) returned 7.19% for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016. In comparison, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Three Month Treasury Bill Index returned just 0.23%.

The Free Market Fixed Income Fund focuses on mutual funds that invest in global high quality and shorter-term government and corporate fixed income assets. For the twelve-months ended August 31, 2016, The Free Market Fixed Income Fund provided a total return of 2.26%. This compares with a return of 2.03% for the fund’s benchmark, the Citigroup World Government Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

The Free Market Fixed Income Fund performed as expected, and slightly exceeded its benchmark for the period. A contributing factor to the performance of the Fund compared to the benchmark was the Fund’s slightly lower exposure to certain global markets but additional corporate exposure within the U.S.

 

6


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market Fixed Income Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market Fixed Income Fund vs. Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency

Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception*
 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

    2.26%        1.32%        0.86%        1.79%   

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index

    2.03%        1.75%        1.57%        2.36%   

Composite Index**

    2.67%        2.00%        1.50%        2.56%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the Three-Month Treasury Bill Index, Barclays Capital Intermediate Government Bond Index, BofA Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Government/Corporate Index and Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 0.79% (included in the ratio is 0.19% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on an increase in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $10.43 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Free Market Fixed Income Fund’s underlying funds invest in fixed income securities. The underlying funds may invest their assets in bonds and other debt securities issued by domestic and foreign governments and companies. Debt instruments involve the risk that their prices will fall when interest rates rise, and they are subject to the risk that the borrower may default. In addition, the return on foreign debt securities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. An investor in the Fund will incur expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses.

 

7


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund(s) and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying tables 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 your Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying tables 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.

 

     Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,159.90         $ 3.15   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.22           2.95   
     Free Market International Equity Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,146.40         $ 3.35   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.02           3.15   

 

 

8


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

     Free Market Fixed Income Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,012.70         $ 2.93   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.22           2.95   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.58% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 0.62% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and 0.58% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The annualized expense ratios do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the underlying funds. If such fees and expenses had been included, the expenses would have been higher. The range of weighted expense ratios of the underlying funds held by the Funds, as stated in the underlying funds’ current prospectuses, were as follows:

 

Free Market U.S.
Equity Fund

  Free Market International
Equity Fund
  Free Market Fixed
Income Fund
0.01%-0.13%   0.01%-0.27%   0.01%-0.07%

Each Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Fund of 15.99% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 14.64% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and 1.27% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

 

9


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number
of Shares
    Value  

EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%

  

 

U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio III(a)

    29,209,273      $ 688,170,477   

U.S. Large Company
Portfolio(a)

    19,969,901        339,887,720   

U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio(b)

    18,130,050        347,009,163   

U.S. Small Cap Portfolio(b)

    11,143,307        346,891,144   

U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio(b)

    17,346,248        579,711,595   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY FUNDS

  

 

(Cost $1,804,745,534)

      2,301,670,099   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%

  

 

(Cost $1,804,745,534)

      2,301,670,099   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%

      1,371,395   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 2,303,041,494   
   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Equity Funds

    99.9%      $ 2,301,670,099   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.1%        1,371,395   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 2,303,041,494   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

10


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number
of Shares
    Value  

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%

  

 

Asia Pacific Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,055,935      $ 22,501,979   

Canadian Small Company Series(b)

    1,978,591        20,056,995   

Continental Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,431,264        30,929,612   

Continental Small Company Series(b)

    339,352        23,977,697   

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio(a)

    36,098,517        685,149,863   

DFA International Value Portfolio III(c)

    34,440,819        466,328,696   

Emerging Markets Portfolio(a)

    3,930,452        93,819,886   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio(a)

    4,321,449        87,120,407   

Emerging Markets Value Portfolio(a)

    3,671,417        88,444,432   

Japanese Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,715,842        36,564,604   

Large Cap International Portfolio(a)

    4,220,670        83,189,396   

United Kingdom Small Company Portfolio(a)

    186,330        5,500,449   

United Kingdom Small Company Series(b)

    455,070        26,827,357   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $1,648,169,397)

      1,670,411,373   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%
(Cost $1,648,169,397)

   

    1,670,411,373   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%

      2,040,938   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 1,672,452,311   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

International Equity Funds

    99.9%      $ 1,670,411,373   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.1%        2,040,938   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 1,672,452,311   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of DFA Investment Trust Company.
(c) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

11


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number
of Shares
    Value  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 99.5%

  

 

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    47,528,495      $ 531,368,580   

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio(a)

    8,799,097        106,469,078   

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    9,781,020        127,446,695   

DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    29,919,420        308,469,216   

DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio(a)

    7,893,794        85,016,156   

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    31,977,828        319,138,720   

iShares 1-3 Year Credit Bond ETF

    4,821,841        510,536,525   

iShares Intermediate Credit Bond ETF

    1,145,755        127,728,767   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS

  

 

(Cost $2,096,071,479)

      2,116,173,737   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.5%

  

 

(Cost $2,096,071,479)

      2,116,173,737   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.5%

      10,283,565   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 2,126,457,302   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Fixed Income Funds

    99.5%      $ 2,116,173,737   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.5%        10,283,565   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 2,126,457,302   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
ETF Exchange-Traded Fund

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

12


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

     Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
     Free Market
International
Equity Fund
     Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value †

   $ 2,301,670,099       $ 1,670,411,373       $ 2,116,173,737   

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,080,295         2,413,066         10,528,369   

Receivables

        

Receivable for capital shares sold

     1,970,155         1,639,866         1,991,503   

Dividends and interest receivable

             19           

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     21,300         16,727         17,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     2,306,741,849         1,674,481,051         2,128,711,462   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Payables

        

Capital shares redeemed

     2,411,045         1,014,667         1,062,736   

Investment adviser

     958,536         702,685         888,439   

Administration and accounting fees

     160,161         171,889         158,750   

Transfer agent fees

     45,623         32,663         40,321   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     124,990         106,836         103,914   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,700,355         2,028,740         2,254,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,303,041,494       $ 1,672,452,311       $ 2,126,457,302   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

        

Par value

   $ 142,301       $ 181,031       $ 203,923   

Paid-in capital

     1,705,932,474         1,622,355,070         2,101,626,373   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income

     8,967,958         20,684,425         4,839,938   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     91,074,196         6,989,809         (315,190

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     496,924,565         22,241,976         20,102,258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,303,041,494       $ 1,672,452,311       $ 2,126,457,302   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized)

     142,301,043         181,030,722         203,923,186   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 16.18       $ 9.24       $ 10.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Investment in non-affiliated funds, at cost

   $ 1,804,745,534       $ 1,648,169,397       $ 2,096,071,479   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

     Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
       Free Market
International
Equity Fund
       Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 

Investment Income

            

Dividends from non-affiliated funds

   $ 36,243,570         $ 48,957,243         $ 23,391,906   

Interest income

     287           224           1,975   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     36,243,857           48,957,467           23,393,881   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

            

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     10,317,614           7,525,389           10,217,487   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     821,397           613,922           818,913   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     362,215           279,852           367,040   

Professional fees

     217,427           166,622           218,325   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     146,489           108,321           150,284   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     131,332           103,840           130,470   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     114,010           106,783           112,791   

Other expenses

     185,970           578,291           163,193   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     12,296,454           9,483,020           12,178,503   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

     23,947,403           39,474,447           11,215,378   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

            

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     17,326,622           838,327           (2,099,904

Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments

     88,062,926           19,531,384           3,839,696   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     67,953,624           (2,762,967        31,859,933   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     173,343,172           17,606,744           33,599,725   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 197,290,575         $ 57,081,191         $ 44,815,103   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 23,947,403         $ 14,960,648   

Net realized gain from investments

     105,389,548           138,953,608   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     67,953,624           (224,846,063
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     197,290,575           (70,931,807
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (18,905,890        (12,868,563

Net realized capital gains

     (141,345,143        (69,294,465
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (160,251,033        (82,163,028
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     450,649,645           481,633,915   

Reinvestment of distributions

     160,251,033           82,140,004   

Shares redeemed

     (316,329,032        (382,690,734
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     294,571,646           181,083,185   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     331,611,188           27,988,350   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     1,971,430,306           1,943,441,956   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 2,303,041,494         $ 1,971,430,306   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 8,967,958         $ 3,869,763   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     29,513,009           28,410,530   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     10,690,529           4,843,161   

Shares redeemed

     (20,493,548        (22,522,042
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     19,709,990           10,731,649   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

15


FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 39,474,447         $ 24,999,786   

Net realized gain from investments

     20,369,711           26,251,800   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (2,762,967        (217,542,374
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     57,081,191           (166,290,788
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (26,567,968        (30,251,548

Net realized capital gains

     (25,538,160        (27,870,005
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (52,106,128        (58,121,553
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     372,267,753           415,117,229   

Reinvestment of distributions

     52,101,372           58,105,492   

Shares redeemed

     (199,985,943        (220,334,516
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     224,383,182           252,888,205   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     229,358,245           28,475,864   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     1,443,094,066           1,414,618,202   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,672,452,311         $ 1,443,094,066   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 20,684,425         $ 7,778,107   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     42,211,355           41,730,653   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     5,880,516           6,168,311   

Shares redeemed

     (22,542,599        (21,995,248
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     25,549,272           25,903,716   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

16


FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 11,215,378      $ 10,561,566   

Net realized gain from investments

     1,739,792        4,119,798   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     31,859,933        (7,341,731
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     44,815,103        7,339,633   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (6,855,840     (12,641,658

Net realized capital gains

     (3,174,042     (5,364,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (10,029,882     (18,005,807
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     474,436,165        513,176,788   

Reinvestment of distributions

     10,029,882        18,003,175   

Shares redeemed

     (397,297,819     (340,642,921
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     87,168,228        190,537,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     121,953,449        179,870,868   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets:

    

Beginning of year

     2,004,503,853        1,824,632,985   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 2,126,457,302      $ 2,004,503,853   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 4,839,938      $ 2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

    

Shares sold

     45,946,543        49,931,448   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     980,512        1,762,515   

Shares redeemed

     (38,480,626     (33,153,150
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     8,446,429        18,540,813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

17


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.08      $ 17.37      $ 14.66      $ 11.70      $ 10.33   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.18        0.13        0.09        0.12        0.08   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    1.18        (0.71     3.18        3.07        1.43   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1.36        (0.58  

 

3.27

  

 

 

3.19

  

    1.51   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.15     (0.11     (0.10     (0.15     (0.06

Net realized capital gains

    (1.11     (0.60     (0.46     (0.08     (0.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (1.26     (0.71     (0.56     (0.23     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 16.18      $ 16.08      $ 17.37      $ 14.66      $ 11.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(2)

    9.10     (3.55 )%      22.49     27.61 %      14.77
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 2,303,041      $ 1,971,430      $ 1,943,442      $ 1,355,653      $ 933,514   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

    0.59     0.60 %      0.60     0.62 %      0.64

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(3)

    1.15     0.74 %      0.54     0.91 %      0.73

Portfolio turnover rate

    1     6 %      3     6 %      4

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(3) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

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

 

18


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.28      $ 10.92      $ 9.36      $ 8.04      $ 8.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.23        0.17        0.19        0.18        0.18   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    0.05        (1.39     1.71        1.36        (0.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    0.28        (1.22     1.90        1.54        (0.46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.16     (0.22     (0.19     (0.15     (0.17

Net realized capital gains

    (0.16     (0.20     (0.15     (0.07     (0.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.32     (0.42     (0.34     (0.22     (0.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.24      $ 9.28      $ 10.92      $ 9.36      $ 8.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(2)

    3.13     (11.25 )%      20.49     19.44 %      (4.98 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 1,672,452      $ 1,443,094      $ 1,414,618      $ 964,096      $ 648,710   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

    0.63     0.64 %      0.62     0.65 %      0.65

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(3)

    2.60     1.72 %      1.84     1.96 %      2.21

Portfolio turnover rate

    1     3 %      2     3 %      3

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(3) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

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

 

 

19


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.25      $ 10.31      $ 10.24      $ 10.54      $ 10.48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.06        0.06        0.04        0.05        0.11   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    0.17        (0.02     0.09        (0.21     0.09   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    0.23        0.04        0.13        (0.16     0.20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.03     (0.07     (0.04     (0.08     (0.14

Net realized capital gains

    (0.02     (0.03     (0.02     (0.06     (2) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.05     (0.10     (0.06     (0.14     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.43      $ 10.25      $ 10.31      $ 10.24      $ 10.54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    2.26     0.37 %      1.34     (1.50 )%      1.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 2,126,457      $ 2,004,504      $ 1,824,633      $ 1,316,799      $ 946,975   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

    0.59     0.60 %      0.61     0.62 %      0.63

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(4)

    0.54     0.55 %      0.37     0.52 %      1.08

Portfolio turnover rate

    31     2 %      0     0 %      1

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Amount less than $(0.005) per share.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

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

 

20


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund (each a “Fund,” collectively the “Funds”). Each Fund operates as a “Fund of Funds” and commenced investment operations on December 31, 2007.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Investments in the underlying funds are valued at each fund’s net asset value determined as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). As required, some securities and assets may be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors. Direct investments in fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •    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, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 2,301,670,099       $ 2,301,670,099       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,670,411,373       $ 1,599,549,324       $ 70,862,049       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

21


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 2,116,173,737       $ 2,116,173,737       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require each Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires a Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period. Free Market International Equity investments in the DFA Investment Trust Company portfolios previously reported in level 1 have been transferred to level 2.

There were no other significant transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Funds for the year ended August 31, 2016.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — Transactions are accounted for on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Funds estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Each Fund’s investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are

 

22


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the Funds. In addition to the net annual operating expenses that the Funds bear directly, the shareholders indirectly bear the Funds’ pro-rata expenses of the underlying mutual funds in which each Fund invests.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on the ex-dividend date for all Funds with the exception of the Free Market Fixed Income Fund which declares and pays quarterly dividends from net investment income. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited with a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money” or the “Adviser”), serves as each Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, Matson Money is entitled to receive 0.50% of the first $1 billion of each Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.49% of each Fund’s average daily net assets over $1 billion to $5 billion and 0.47% of each Fund’s average daily net assets over $5 billion, computed daily and payable monthly. The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses to 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund, respectively. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets and is subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

23


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $269,106. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Funds or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Funds paid $137,973 in officer fees.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Funds were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 275,833,040         $ 29,287,742   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     236,830,002           8,391,404   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     726,935,651           636,394,430   

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Fund were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 1,809,836,801       $ 496,924,565       $ (5,091,267    $ 491,833,298   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     1,659,701,111         109,867,557         (99,157,295      10,710,262   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     2,096,386,669         21,921,475         (2,134,407      19,787,068   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to redesignation of dividends paid and reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

     Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
       Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
       Paid-In Capital  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 56,682         $ (56,682      $   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     (161        161             

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     480,398           (480,398          

 

24


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary Income
       Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Other
Temporary
Differences
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 8,967,958         $ 96,165,463         $ 491,833,298         $   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     19,468,069           19,713,811           10,734,330             

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     4,839,938                     19,787,068             

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax characters of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

                Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

       2016         $ 18,905,890         $ 141,345,143         $ 160,251,033   
       2015           12,868,563           69,294,465           82,163,028   

Free Market International Equity Fund

       2016           26,659,496           25,446,632           52,106,128   
       2015           30,387,545           27,734,008           58,121,553   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

       2016           7,113,666           2,916,216           10,029,882   
       2015           11,548,488           6,457,319           18,005,807   

Distributions from net investment income and short term capital gains are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Funds did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. Subsequent Event

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

25


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, and Free Market Fixed Income Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund, separately managed portfolios of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Funds”) at August 31, 2016, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and underlying funds’ transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

26


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 18,905,890         $ 141,345,143         $ 160,251,033   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     26,659,496           25,446,632           52,106,128   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     7,113,666           2,916,216           10,029,882   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 100.00% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund and 83.31% for the Free Market International Equity Fund.

The percentage of total ordinary dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 43.13% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund. A total of 28.05% of the dividend distributed during the fiscal year was derived from U.S. Government securities, which is generally exempt from state income tax for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

The percentage of ordinary income distributions designated as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004 is 100% for the Free Market International Equity Fund.

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Funds, if any. The Free Market International Equity Fund passed through foreign tax credits of $2,849,615 and earned $69,596,671 of gross foreign source income during the fiscal year.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

27


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling Free Market Funds at (866) 780-0357, ext. 3863 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Matson Money and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Matson Money with respect to the Funds, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Matson Money’s services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Matson Money’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Matson Money’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Matson Money’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Matson Money’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vi) Matson Money’s compliance procedures; (vii) Matson Money’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (viii) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (ix) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its respective Lipper Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its respective Lipper Group; and (x) a report comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its primary and composite benchmarks.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Matson Money. The Directors concluded that Matson Money had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that Matson Money’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Funds and Matson Money. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided since inception and for one-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Directors considered the Funds’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper Groups was acceptable. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors observed that the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the one-, three-, five-year and since inception periods, the Free Market International Equity Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the one-, three-year and since inception periods, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the year-to-date period ending March 31, 2016.

 

28


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Matson Money’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 17, 2016.

 

29


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Company Management

(Unaudited)

 

Directors and Executive Officers

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 866-780-0357, ext. 3683.

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held  by Director
in the Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky
615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall
615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler
615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano
615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

 

30


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held  by Director
in the Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None
OFFICERS
Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance, LLC Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216
223 Wilmington West
Chester Pike
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Age: 53
 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw
615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

  2016 to present   From 1995-2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Robert Amweg
Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216
223 Wilmington West
Chester Pike
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Age: 62

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  2016 to present   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (Registered Investment Company).   N/A   N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).   N/A   N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

  Assistant Secretary   2016 to present   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007-present).   N/A   N/A

 

31


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held  by Director
in the Past 5 Years
OFFICERS
Michael P. Malloy
One Logan Square Ste. 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Age: 57
  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

32


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE FREE MARKET FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Free Market Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Free Market Funds share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (866) 573-2152 or go to www.MatsonMoney.com

 

33


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Free Market Funds protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Free Market Funds collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include McGriff Video Productions and Matson Money, Inc.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Free Market Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Funds may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Free Market Funds may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

34


 

Investment Adviser

Matson Money, Inc.

5955 Deerfield Blvd.

Mason, OH 45040

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

 

FMF-AR16


MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2016

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Portfolios. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Portfolios.


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

Enclosed is your annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

In both domestic and international equity markets, volatility remained high for much of the last fiscal year. The end of 2015 saw sizable swings both overseas and at home, punctuated by a steep decline in the markets in early 2016. However, after the initial decline, market returns came storming back the remainder of the first quarter and saw many of the early losses completely recouped. After experiencing a weak 2015, emerging markets provided much of the strength of the international markets performance in 2016.

There were many events that brought alarm and concern to those invested in the markets over the last 12 months — from the stark declines early in the year to the fear of what impact Brexit would have on the global economy and equity markets. Despite these occurrences, broad markets finished comfortably positive for the fiscal year.

The Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio had returns of 8.68%, 2.47% and 1.66%, respectively, for the 12 months ended August 31, 2016. This compared with a return of 8.79% in the Russell 2500® Index, a return of 0.53% in the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and a return of 2.03% for the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

Despite the turbulence in the market, seasoned investors, like Matson Money VI Portfolio shareholders, did not panic and let the short-term volatility affect their long-term investing goals. When an investor can keep focused on the long term, and adheres to a prudent investment philosophy, the day-to-day ups and downs do not seem as threatening.

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money”) strives to deliver the performance of capital markets and add value through free market investment strategies and structured market portfolios. Grounded in the conviction that free markets work, Matson Money avoids the cost-generating activity of stock picking and market timing. Instead, we focus on the dimensions of capital markets that reward investors as intelligently and effectively as possible. Our disciplined approach to life-long investing provides both the individual investor and the financial professional with the academic foundation upon which to help achieve investment goals.

Each Matson Money VI Portfolio strategy targets a broad and diverse group of stocks or bonds across various markets, using other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that specifically target certain asset classes. The Funds are broadly diversified and designed to work together in your total investment plan.

The work is never complete, however, and Matson Money will continue to research solutions to address your future needs. We invite you to contact your financial professional or explore our website, www.MatsonMoney.com, to learn more about the concepts and strategies of Matson Money’s investing.

We appreciate your support and confidence in our firm’s investment philosophy, process and people. As always, we also appreciate your continued investment towards your long-term goals.

Thank you for investing with Matson Money, Inc.

 

LOGO

Mark E. Matson

Chief Executive Officer

Matson Money, Inc.

 

1


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio—Investment Review

The twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016 saw some short periods of fairly noticeable volatility, as well as some uncertainty geopolitically. The early part of 2016 saw losses of over 10% in a very short time period in several asset classes, and the threat and turmoil of a Brexit vote spooked markets and compounded the growing uneasiness abroad and at home. However, despite these negative headlines, many fundamentals remained solid domestically. Unemployment remained near decade lows and inflation stayed below long-term averages. Investors who remained invested for the entire year saw the market overcome these volatile periods to post positive gains across the board within U.S. asset classes. Small stocks as represented by the Russell 2000 Index returned 8.59% while other asset classes proved to be even more profitable, with the Russell 2000 Value Index, which measures small value U.S. stocks, showing the greatest return while posting an increase of 13.80%.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2016, the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio provided a total return of 8.68% at net asset value. This compares with a return of 8.79% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 2500® Index.

As a result of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings. Size is measured by market capitalization and “value” classification is a function of stock price relative to one or more fundamental characteristics.

U.S. large company stocks performed better than small company stocks. The Russell 2000 Index has returned 8.59% while the S&P 500 Index was up 12.55% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. Furthermore, for the same time period, the Russell 2000 Value Index returned 13.80% and the Russell 1000 Value Index returned 12.92%.

In summary, U.S. large cap stocks performed better than small cap and U.S. value stocks did better than U.S. growth stocks, which also contributed to the returns of the Portfolio.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

2


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio vs. Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year     Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

     8.68%        4.54%   

Russell 2500® Index

     8.79%        5.52%   

Composite Index**

     12.05%        7.53%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
**

The Composite Index is comprised of the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Index and Russell 2000® Value Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 1.74% (included in the ratio is 0.30% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.13% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.43%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a increase in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $26.80 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio’s underlying funds invest in small-cap and micro-cap stocks, large-cap stocks and other equity securities. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, small companies entail special risk. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Portfolio will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

3


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio—Investment Review

The global conditions proved tumultuous for investors during the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016. Tensions in the Eurozone continued to increase, culminating with an unexpected Brexit vote resulting in the United Kingdom deciding to leave the European Union. This rocked the geopolitical world and caused a short-term decline in investor confidence in the global markets, resulting in a global selloff immediately following the vote. However, this panic proved to be short lived as much of the losses following the Brexit vote were recouped quickly, with emerging markets leading the charge in the overall renaissance in global markets for the year.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2016, the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio was up 2.47%. This compares with a return of 0.53% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index.

As a result of the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in global equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings and broad exposure to emerging market equities.

International small company stocks fared better than international large company stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index (gross of dividends) returned 0.38% from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016, while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index was up 5.78%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (gross of dividends) decreased -3.27% while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Value Index was up 5.89% and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (net of dividends) was up 12.25%.

In summary, factors that buoyed the Portfolio’s return compared to the benchmark can largely be explained by its exposure in emerging markets, as well as its tilt toward small and small value stocks.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

4


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio vs. MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio is a professionally managed mutual fund while the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year     Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     2.47%        -2.67%   

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

     0.53%        -0.60%   

Composite Index**

     3.71%        0.59%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the MSCI EAFE Index, MSCI EAFE Value Index, MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, and MSCI Emerging Markets Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 2.16% (included in the ratio is 0.49% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.84%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a decrease in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $22.54 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio’s underlying funds invest in common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into stocks and other equity securities issued by foreign companies. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, foreign and small companies entail special risk. The return on foreign equities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. Emerging markets may be subject to social instability and lack of market liquidity. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Portfolio will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

5


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio—Investment Review

The U.S. economy grew modestly during the twelve-months ended August 31, 2016. Total unemployment continued its decline toward pre-crash levels, leveling out below 5%, which many economists consider near full employment. Monetary policy remains accommodative, and the U.S. Federal Reserve did not make any changes to its policy of keeping the target for the federal funds rate near zero. In fact, several international countries dropped their interest rates below zero — these negative nominal rates are uncharted territory within the global economy. With the end of the Federal Reserve’s “easy money” policy still potentially looming, yields on short-term instruments continued to return relatively low results. Non-U.S. fixed income securities performed slightly better than U.S. fixed income securities. The broad proxy for the U.S. bond market, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, produced a 5.97% return, while the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (hedged) returned 7.19% for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2016. In comparison, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Three Month Treasury Bill Index returned just 0.23%.

The Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio focuses on mutual funds that invest in global high quality and shorter-term government and corporate fixed income assets. For the twelve-months ended August 31, 2016, Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio provided a total return of 1.66%. This compares with a return of 2.03% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Citigroup World Government Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

The Portfolio performed slightly under its benchmark for the period but performed as expected. A contributing factor to the performance of the Portfolio compared to the benchmark was the Portfolio’s slightly lower exposure to certain global markets but additional corporate exposure within the U.S.

 

6


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio vs. Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency

Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year     Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     1.66%        0.76%   

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index

     2.03%        1.64%   

Composite Index**

     2.67%        2.02%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the Three-Month Treasury Bill Index, Barclays Capital Intermediate Government Bond Index, BofA Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Government/Corporate Index and Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 1.56% (included in the ratio is 0.19% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.19%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on an increase in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $25.31 per share on August 31, 2016.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio’s underlying funds invest in fixed income securities. The underlying funds may invest their assets in bonds and other debt securities issued by domestic and foreign governments and companies. Debt instruments involve the risk that their prices will fall when interest rates rise, and they are subject to the risk that the borrower may default. In addition, the return on foreign debt securities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. An investor in the Portfolio will incur expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

7


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Portfolio Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Portfolio(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Portfolio expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio(s) and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not your Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in each Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying tables 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.

 

     Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,157.20         $ 4.12   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,021.32           3.86   
     Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,144.70         $ 4.04   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,021.37           3.81   

 

 

8


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Portfolio Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

     Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March  1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,009.60         $ 3.59   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,021.57           3.61   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.76%, 0.75% and 0.71% for Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period.

The annualized expense ratios do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the underlying funds. If such fees and expenses had been included, the expenses would have been higher. The range weighted expense ratios of the underlying funds held by the Portfolios, as stated in their current prospectuses, were as follows:

 

Matson Money U.S.
Equity VI Portfolio

  Matson Money International
Equity VI Portfolio
  Matson Money Fixed
Income VI Portfolio
0.01%-0.08%   0.01%-0.19%   0.01%-0.05%

Each Portfolio’s ending account values on the first line each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Portfolio of 15.72% for Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, 14.47% for the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and 0.96% for the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio.

 

9


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

EQUITY FUNDS — 98.5%

   

U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio III(a)

    192,784      $ 4,541,993   

U.S. Large Company Portfolio(a)

    138,650        2,359,823   

U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio(b)

    137,382        2,629,502   

U.S. Small Cap Portfolio(b)

    84,338        2,625,429   

U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio(b)

    52,219        1,745,162   

VA U.S. Large Value Portfolio(b)

    31,039        698,997   

VA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio(b)

    149,126        2,623,130   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $17,085,752)

      17,224,036   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.5%
(Cost $17,085,752)

      17,224,036   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 1.5%

      267,202   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 17,491,238   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Equity Funds

    98.5%      $ 17,224,036   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    1.5%        267,202   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 17,491,238   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

10


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 98.6%

  

 

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio(a)

    188,795      $ 3,583,331   

DFA International Value Portfolio III(b)

    265,443        3,594,097   

Emerging Markets Portfolio(a)

    28,198        673,083   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio(a)

    30,974        624,430   

Emerging Markets Value Portfolio(a)

    26,624        641,378   

Large Cap International Portfolio(a)

    25,402        500,684   

VA International Small Portfolio(b)

    182,410        2,123,251   

VA International Value Portfolio(b)

    60,727        656,460   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS

  

 

(Cost $13,221,065)

      12,396,714   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.6%

  

 

(Cost $13,221,065)

      12,396,714   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 1.4%

      170,784   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 12,567,498   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

International Equity Funds

    98.6%      $ 12,396,714   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    1.4%        170,784   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 12,567,498   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

 

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

 

11


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 97.7%

  

 

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    194,584      $ 2,175,448   

DFA Inflation Protected Securities Portfolio(a)

    89,681        1,085,145   

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    100,187        1,305,434   

DFA One-Year Fixed Income
Portfolio(a)

    242,871        2,503,995   

DFA Short-Term Fixed Portfolio(a)

    42,136        431,476   

DFA Short-Term Government
Portfolio(a)

    80,388        865,781   

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    327,263        3,266,081   

iShares 1-3 Year Credit Bond ETF

    49,358        5,226,025   

iShares Intermediate Credit Bond ETF

    11,669        1,300,860   

VA Global Bond Portfolio(a)

    296,107        3,266,063   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS
(Cost $21,269,115)

      21,426,308   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 97.7%

 

 

(Cost $21,269,115)

      21,426,308   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 2.3%

      500,629   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 21,926,937   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Fixed Income Funds

    97.7%      $ 21,426,308   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    2.3%        500,629   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 21,926,937   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
ETF Exchange-Traded Fund

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

12


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Statements of Assets And Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

     Matson Money
U.S. Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
International Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
Fixed Income
VI Portfolio
 

ASSETS

            

Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value †

   $ 17,224,036         $ 12,396,714         $ 21,426,308   

Cash and cash equivalents

     229,158           160,405           358,100   

Receivables

            

Receivable for capital shares sold

     89,185           53,490           214,253   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     593           461           713   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

     17,542,972           12,611,070           21,999,374   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Payables

            

Investments purchased

                         14,938   

Audit fees

     22,376           22,376           22,376   

Advisory fees

     9,188           5,069           17,091   

Printing fees

     8,041           7,214           9,386   

Transfer agent fees

     5,797           3,442           1,001   

Administration and accounting fees

     2,623           1,860           3,328   

Capital shares redeemed

     9           7           12   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     3,700           3,604           4,305   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     51,734           43,572           72,437   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 17,491,238         $ 12,567,498         $ 21,926,937   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

            

Par value

   $ 653         $ 558         $ 866   

Paid-in capital

     16,736,712           13,267,265           21,676,170   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     21,012           95,927           (4,563

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     594,577           28,099           97,271   

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     138,284           (824,351        157,193   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 17,491,238         $ 12,567,498         $ 21,926,937   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized)

     652,706           557,625           866,320   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 26.80         $ 22.54         $ 25.31   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Investment in non-affiliated funds, at cost

   $ 17,085,752         $ 13,221,065         $ 21,269,115   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

     Matson Money
U.S. Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
International Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
Fixed Income
VI Portfolio
 

Investment Income

            

Dividends from non-affiliated funds

   $ 254,798         $ 333,446         $ 205,987   

Interest income

     23           11           39   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     254,821           333,457           206,026   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

            

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     76,200           54,534           97,586   

Professional fees

     21,459           20,062           21,420   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     14,432           13,871           14,402   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     9,858           6,998           11,506   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     8,451           8,599           8,763   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     4,920           2,810           6,974   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     3,011           1,928           4,080   

Other expenses

     3,272           2,986           774   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     141,603           111,788           165,505   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

     113,218           221,669           40,521   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

            

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     (50,713        (85,746        75,547   

Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments

     675,315           174,680           38,048   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     737,034           109,395           172,554   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     1,361,636           198,329           286,149   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,474,854         $ 419,998         $ 326,670   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 113,218         $ 14,765   

Net realized gain from investments

     624,602           484,624   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     737,034           (928,940
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,474,854           (429,551
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (86,042        (41,020

Net realized capital gains

     (484,664          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (570,706        (41,020
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     3,821,426           8,285,808   

Reinvestment of distributions

     570,706           41,020   

Shares redeemed

     (1,403,047        (2,074,633
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     2,989,085           6,252,195   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     3,893,233           5,781,624   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     13,598,005           7,816,381   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 17,491,238         $ 13,598,005   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment/(loss), end of year

   $ 21,012         $ (33,525
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     154,292           313,052   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     22,957           1,520   

Shares redeemed

     (54,701        (76,233
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     122,548           238,339   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

15


MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 221,669         $ 78,422   

Net realized gain from investments

     88,934           63,263   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     109,395           (989,329
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     419,998           (847,644
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (116,572        (104,954

Net realized capital gains

     (114,309        (1,506
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (230,881        (106,460
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     3,132,772           6,557,941   

Reinvestment of distributions

     230,881           106,460   

Shares redeemed

     (626,448        (1,476,695
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     2,737,205           5,187,706   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     2,926,322           4,233,602   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     9,641,176           5,407,574   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 12,567,498         $ 9,641,176   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of year

   $ 95,927         $ (11,990
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     146,738           275,347   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     10,645           4,641   

Shares redeemed

     (28,686        (60,454
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     128,697           219,534   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

16


MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August  31, 2016
       For the
Year Ended
August  31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 40,521         $ 15,172   

Net realized gain from investments

     113,595           23,403   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     172,554           (49,374
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     326,670           (10,799
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

               (75,242

Net realized capital gains

     (25,180          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (25,180        (75,242
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     5,735,947           10,320,471   

Reinvestment of distributions

     25,180           75,242   

Shares redeemed

     (2,234,023        (2,138,714
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     3,527,104           8,256,999   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     3,828,594           8,170,958   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     18,098,343           9,927,385   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 21,926,937         $ 18,098,343   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $ (4,563      $ (66,535
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     228,717           412,588   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     1,015           3,022   

Shares redeemed

     (89,259        (85,517
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     140,473           330,093   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

17


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)

through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.65       $ 26.79       $ 25.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

     0.19         0.03         (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     1.96         (1.07      1.85   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     2.15         (1.04      1.79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

     (0.15      (0.10        

Net realized capital gains

     (0.85                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (1.00      (0.10        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 26.80       $ 25.65       $ 26.79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     8.68      (3.92 )%       7.16 %(4) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

        

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 17,491       $ 13,598       $ 7,816   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(5)

     0.93      1.13      1.13 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(5)

     0.93      1.44      4.07 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

     0.74      0.12      (0.47 )%(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     7.38      13.65      1.32 %(4) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) Not Annualized.
(5) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(6) Annualized.

 

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

 

18


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)
through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 22.48       $ 25.82       $ 25.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

     0.44         0.22         0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     0.10         (3.26      0.75   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     0.54         (3.04      0.82   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

     (0.24 )        (0.30        

Net realized capital gains

     (0.24      (3)         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.48      (0.30        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 22.54       $ 22.48       $ 25.82   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

     2.47      (11.77 )%       3.28 %(5) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

        

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 12,567       $ 9,641       $ 5,408   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(6)

     1.02      1.35      1.35 %(7) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(6)

     1.02      1.67      5.07 %(7) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets with
waivers
(6)

     2.03      0.91      0.49 %(7) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     4.52      14.90      2.47 %(5) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) Amount less than $(0.005) per share.
(4) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not Annualized.
(6) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(7) Annualized.

 

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

 

19


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)
through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 24.93       $ 25.08       $ 25.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

     0.05         0.03         (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     0.36         (0.04      0.13   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     0.41         (0.01      0.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

             (0.14        

Net realized capital gains

     (0.03                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.03      (0.14        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 25.31       $ 24.93       $ 25.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     1.66      (0.06 )%       0.32 %(4) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

        

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 21,927       $ 18,098       $ 9,927   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(5)

     0.85      1.00      1.00 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(5)

     0.85      1.37      3.40 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

     0.21      0.10      (0.40 )%(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     40.27      10.90      0.55 %(4) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) Not Annualized.
(5) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(6) Annualized.

 

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

 

20


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio (each a “Portfolio,” collectively the “Portfolios”). Each Portfolio operates as a “fund of funds” and commenced investment operations on February 18, 2014. Shares of the Portfolios are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Investments in the underlying funds are valued at each Portfolio’s net asset value determined as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). As required, some securities and assets may be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors. Direct investments in fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Portfolios’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •    Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolios’ 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, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Portfolios’ investments carried at fair value:

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 17,224,036       $ 17,224,036       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 12,396,714       $ 12,396,714       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

21


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 21,426,308       $ 21,426,308       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Portfolios’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Portfolios may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require each Portfolio to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchases and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires a Portfolio to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Portfolio had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Portfolio had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Portfolios.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — Transactions are accounted for on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Portfolios estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Each Portfolio’s investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the Portfolios. In addition

 

22


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

to the net annual operating expenses that the Portfolios bear directly, the shareholders indirectly bear the Portfolios’ pro-rata expenses of the underlying mutual funds in which each Portfolio invests.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date for all Portfolios with the exception of the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio which declares and pays quarterly dividends from net investment income. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Portfolio’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Portfolios consider liquid assets deposited with a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Portfolio expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Portfolios may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Portfolios’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Portfolios in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money” or the “Adviser”), serves as each Portfolio’s investment adviser. The Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the first $1 billion of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets, 0.49% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets over $1 billion to $5 billion and 0.47% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets over $5 billion. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Portfolio operating expenses (excluding certain items disclosed below) to 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2016.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), serves as administrator for the Portfolios. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Portfolios’ average daily net assets and is subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Portfolios’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Portfolios. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

 

23


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Portfolios’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Portfolios during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $7,718. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Portfolios or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Portfolios paid $10,040 in officer fees.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Portfolios were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 4,212,128         $ 1,117,249   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     3,284,367           491,047   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     11,073,006           7,775,622   

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Portfolios have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Portfolios to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Portfolios have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Portfolios are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Portfolio were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 17,144,546       $ 281,774       $ (202,284    $ 79,490   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     13,359,173                 (962,459      (962,459

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     21,276,624         165,899         (16,215      149,684   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

 

24


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

     Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
       Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
       Paid-In Capital  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 27,361         $ (27,361      $   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     2,820           (2,820          

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     21,451           (7,960        (13,491

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary Income
       Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
       Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 21,012         $ 653,371         $ 79,490         $   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     95,927           166,207           (962,459)             

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

               104,780           149,684           (4,563)   

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax characters of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

               Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

     2016         $ 86,042         $ 484,664         $ 570,706   
     2015           40,987           33           41,020   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     2016           116,572           114,309           230,881   
     2015           106,436           24           106,460   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     2016                     25,180           25,180   
     2015           75,242                     75,242   

Distributions from net investment income and short term capital gains are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Portfolios may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Portfolios deferred to September 1, 2016, the following qualified late-year losses:

 

Portfolio

   Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral
       Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
       Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $         $         $   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

                           

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     (4,563                    

 

25


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Portfolios are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Portfolios did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. Subsequent Event

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Portfolios through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

26


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, separately managed portfolios of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Funds”) at August 31, 2016, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years then ended and the financial highlights for each period indicated, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and underlying funds’ transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

27


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 86,042         $ 484,664         $ 570,706   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     116,572           114,309           230,881   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

               25,180           25,180   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 100.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio and 100.00% for the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio.

The percentage of total ordinary dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 0.01% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio.

Because each Portfolio’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Portfolios, if any. The Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio passed through foreign tax credits of $18,764 and earned $527,196 of gross foreign source income during the fiscal year.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Portfolios.

 

28


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Portfolios use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling Matson Money VI Portfolios at (866) 780-0357, ext. 3863 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Matson Money and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Matson Money with respect to the Funds, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Matson Money’s services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Matson Money’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Matson Money’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Matson Money’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Matson Money’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vi) Matson Money’s compliance procedures; (vii) Matson Money’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (viii) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (ix) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its respective Lipper Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its respective Lipper Group; and (x) a report comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its primary and composite benchmarks.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Matson Money. The Directors concluded that Matson Money had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that Matson Money’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Funds and Matson Money. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided since inception and for one-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Directors considered the Funds’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper Groups was acceptable. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors observed that the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio had outperformed its benchmark for the one-year and year to date periods, Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio had outperformed its benchmark for the year-to-date period, and Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio had outperformed its benchmark for the one-year and year-to-date periods ending March 31, 2016.

 

29


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. In addition, the Directors noted that Matson Money had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, respectively.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Matson Money’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 17, 2016.

 

30


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management

(Unaudited)

 

Directors and Executive Officers

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 866-780-0357, ext. 3683.

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served1
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships
Held by Director
in the

Past 5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

31


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served1
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships
Held by Director
in the

Past 5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC Gateway Corporate

Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

  2016 to present   From 1995-2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate

Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  2016 to present   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (Registered Investment Company).   N/A   N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).   N/A   N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

  Assistant Secretary   2016 to present   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present).   N/A   N/A

 

32


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
with Company
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served1
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships
Held by Director
in the

Past 5 Years

OFFICERS

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

33


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Matson Money VI Portfolios choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Matson Money VI Portfolios share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (866) 573-2152 or go to www.MatsonMoney.com

 

34


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Matson Money VI Portfolios protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How do the Matson Money VI Portfolios collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include McGriff Video Productions and Matson Money, Inc.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Matson Money VI Portfolios don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Portfolios may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Matson Money VI Portfolios may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

35


 

Investment Adviser

Matson Money, Inc.

5955 Deerfield Blvd.

Mason, OH 45040

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

MAT-AR16


 

Schneider

Small Cap

Value Fund

 

of the RBB Fund, Inc.

 

ANNUAL

REPORT

 

August 31, 2016

 

 

LOGO

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Fellow Shareholder:

This annual report covers the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

U.S. equities posted solid gains during the period. The broad market Russell 3000 Index rose 11.44% as price/earnings ratios continued to climb in response to falling interest rates.

The economic recovery in the U.S. has been by far the weakest one post World War II in terms of aggregate growth. The silver lining is that very few financial imbalances have developed which typically precipitate a recession.

The Federal Reserve may be falling behind the curve on raising interest rates as core Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 2.3% and core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Fed’s primary inflation gauge, is at 1.7%, and rising toward its 2% target. Other core inflation metrics are higher than even CPI.

China continues to be of concern to us as it appears to be stimulating its highly leveraged economy with even more debt. Both the IMF and the highly credible Bank for International Settlements issued warnings on its credit system.

The Presidential race is unlikely to have a large legislative impact given that both candidates possess disapproval ratings in the high 50 percent area. The winner will also only have a plurality, but not a majority, of the general election votes, thus having a diminished mandate to govern from. With the exception of a small potential deal to use proceeds from a repatriation tax holiday to lower taxes and raise spending, a continuation of the current stalemate is the most likely outcome.

Portfolio Review

The Schneider Small Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark for the fiscal year returning 21.15% versus 13.8% for the Russell 2000 Value Index. Our outperformance was primarily driven by our energy stock selection.

The market’s favorite sectors during the fiscal year continued to be hostile to our deep value style, an environment similar to the last few years. Lower global long term interest rates caused the equity market to further bid up defensive bond proxies (high yielding stocks with steady income streams) and low volatility stocks, groups we believe are expensive and rarely find attractive to own applying our investment style. Radical global monetary experiments have caused over ten trillion dollars worth of bonds to have negative nominal interest rates. Large negative real rates are highly unlikely to last longer term. While we are not expecting an imminent bond market reversal, it will be positive for our style when it occurs.

In the fiscal year, we were absent from Utility, Consumer Staple and Telecommunication stocks, which were among the leading sectors of the market in its continuing reach for dividend yield and high payout ratios. Bond proxies traded at an unusually wide 38% price/earnings ratio premium to non bond proxies, despite earnings growth rates that are generally lower. Low volatility stocks also had a relative price/earnings ratio at a record high. Low volatility stocks are risky today if price matters. We believe the opposite is true as well. High volatility stocks are less risky today because of low relative prices.

Offsetting this, Oil and U.S. natural gas prices both rose sharply in the last sixth month period as the market recognized the tightening of supply and demand. However, oil prices are still severely depressed due to an overhang of high inventories. Energy equity indexes rose, but not nearly as much as underlying prices. Our energy equities dramatically outperformed their energy sub index largely through security selection as opposed to our overweighting.

Oil production is in decline virtually everywhere except core Mideast OPEC. Mature high cost areas such as China began to show accelerating decline rates. Non Mideast OPEC production is also suffering from a lack of investment. Globally, spare capacity of oil is limited.

After an 80% peak to trough decline, the U.S. drilling rig count bottomed in May in response to higher prices. The rig count needs to rise sharply from that bottom just to stabilize oil production in the United States. The International rig count impacts 90% of the world’s oil production and will be slower to bottom. It also has much longer lags than the U.S., generally 2 to 5 years, in the production response to any change in the rig count.

Bank stock indexes were in the lowest decile of valuation in the form of price/book ratios in their history. Our banks are significantly cheaper on a price/earnings basis than their indexes. Because bank stocks are anti-bond proxies, they sell at half the price/earnings ratio of utilities despite higher earnings growth rates. Bank stocks held in the portfolio are leveraged to higher Fed fund rates.

Internally, we made the difficult decision to close our Value mutual fund in late August after exploring a variety of options. Although we were happy with the fund’s returns for the year, it had recently become economically unsustainable to maintain given our lack of retail distribution. We have a strong commitment to our larger Small Cap Value Fund. We believe the track record since inception is very good and we see significant upside potential in the portfolio at this time.

 

LOGO

Arnold C. Schneider III, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Schneider Capital Management

 

1


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $20,000 Invested in

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund vs. Russell 2000® Value Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $20,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on September 2, 1998 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Value Index is unmanaged, does not incur sales charges and/or expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016

  

     Average Annual  
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since
Inception*
 

Schneider Small Cap Value

    21.15%        9.23%        1.99%        12.33%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    13.80%        12.63%        5.80%        9.41%   

* Inception date 9/2/98

                               

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Schneider Capital Management Company, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016, to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) exceed 1.15%. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waiver or reimbursement of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-520-3277. The Fund’s gross and net annual operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus, are 1.82% and 1.15%, respectively. Shares of the Fund not purchased through reinvested dividends or capital gains and held less than one year are subject to a 1.75% redemption fee.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Small company stocks are generally riskier than large company stocks due to greater volatility and less liquidity.

Value investing involves the risk that the Fund’s investment in companies whose securities are believed to be undervalued, relative to their underlying profitability, will not appreciate in value as anticipated.

 

2


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six months from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying table 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 your Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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.

 

     Schneider Small Cap Value Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,558.20         $ 7.40   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,019.36           5.84   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.15% for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return of 55.82% for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund.

 

3


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

    % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Common Stocks:

   

Oil & Gas

    32.4   $ 11,964,519   

Banks

    14.6        5,367,370   

Commercial Services

    6.9        2,560,420   

Telecommunications

    5.4        2,008,469   

Semiconductors

    4.3        1,598,011   

Insurance

    4.2        1,529,535   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    3.9        1,430,939   

Savings & Loans

    3.0        1,119,746   

Electronics

    3.0        1,091,599   

Home Builders

    2.9        1,075,352   

Coal

    2.8        1,027,173   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

    2.7        981,009   

Chemicals

    2.0        721,651   

Machinery — Diversified

    1.9        712,971   

Pharmaceuticals

    1.2        455,400   

Real Estate

    0.7        250,536   

Healthcare — Products

    0.5        173,717   

Auto Parts & Equipment

    0.5        171,139   

Internet

    0.3        121,376   

Mining

    0.1        41,078   

Iron/Steel

    0.1        37,791   

Leisure Time

    0.1        31,698   

Securities Lending Collateral

    18.8        6,936,108   

Exchange Traded Fund

    1.1        419,383   

Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets

    (13.4     (4,952,648
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 36,874,342   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

 

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

 

4


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 93.5%

   

Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.5%

   

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. *

    31,751      $ 171,139   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 14.6%

   

Bancorp, Inc., (The) *

    79,536        492,328   

Dundee Corp., Class A *

    24,200        108,847   

Hancock Holding Co.

    2,635        85,980   

KeyCorp

    147,826        1,856,697   

OFG Bancorp

    99,312        1,083,494   

Regions Financial Corp.

    174,526        1,740,024   
   

 

 

 
    5,367,370   
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 2.0%

   

Chemours Co., (The)

    54,712        721,651   
   

 

 

 

Coal — 2.8%

   

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. * (a)

    38,398        158,584   

CONSOL Energy, Inc. (a)

    47,620        868,589   
   

 

 

 
    1,027,173   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 6.9%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    135,488        1,353,525   

Ardmore Shipping Corp. (a)

    30,034        216,845   

Herc Holdings, Inc. *

    23,895        807,890   

Hudson Global, Inc.

    72,690        124,300   

Viad Corp.

    1,618        57,860   
   

 

 

 
    2,560,420   
   

 

 

 

Electronics — 3.0%

   

Kemet Corp. *

    320,116        1,091,596   

TTM Technologies, Inc. *

     (b)      3   
   

 

 

 
    1,091,599   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare—Products — 0.5%

   

Invacare Corp.

    14,635        173,717   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 2.9%

   

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A *

    60,961        1,075,352   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 4.2%

   

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    39,172        690,211   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    22,417        622,520   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    45,836        216,804   
   

 

 

 
    1,529,535   
   

 

 

 

Internet — 0.3%

   

ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. *

    84,289        121,376   
   

 

 

 

Iron/steel — 0.1%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

    2,435        37,791   
   

 

 

 

Leisure Time — 0.1%

   

Arctic Cat, Inc.

    2,237        31,698   
   

 

 

 

Machinery - Construction & Mining — 2.7%

  

 

Terex Corp.

    40,404        981,009   
   

 

 

 
    Shares     Value  

Machinery - Diversified — 1.9%

   

Intevac, Inc. *

    117,652      $ 712,971   
   

 

 

 

Mining — 0.1%

   

Ur-Energy, Inc. *

    80,560        41,078   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 32.4%

   

Approach Resources, Inc. * (a)

    455,867        1,513,478   

C&J Energy Services Ltd. *

    446,954        163,138   

Chesapeake Energy Corp. * (a)

    309,729        1,966,779   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    71,045        1,042,230   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    4,635        22,665   

SM Energy Co.

    27,837        1,054,466   

Weatherford International PLC *

    528,294        2,889,768   

Whiting Petroleum Corp. * (a)

    369,880        2,696,425   

Willbros Group, Inc. *

    313,995        609,150   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    535        6,420   
   

 

 

 
    11,964,519   
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 1.2%

   

Endo International PLC *

    22,000        455,400   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate — 0.7%

   

Forestar Group, Inc. * (a)

    19,963        250,536   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 3.9%

   

NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.

    79,600        815,104   

NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.

    13,410        178,889   

Parkway Properties, Inc.

    19,620        353,160   

RAIT Financial Trust

    26,682        83,781   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

     (b)      5   
   

 

 

 
    1,430,939   
   

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 3.0%

   

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. *

    39,877        1,119,746   
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 4.3%

   

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. *

    24,215        284,045   

Siltronic AG *

    5,100        109,406   

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. *

    103,834        1,193,053   

Veeco Instruments, Inc. *

    585        11,507   
   

 

 

 
    1,598,011   
   

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 5.4%

   

Aviat Networks, Inc. *

    133,965        1,267,306   

UTStarcom Holdings Corp. * (a)

    349,605        741,163   
   

 

 

 
    2,008,469   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $33,155,402)

      34,471,499   
   

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 1.1%

  

 

Finance — 1.1%

   

iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund (a)

    4,019        419,383   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $411,152)

      419,383   
   

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

5


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

    Shares     Value  

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 18.8%

  

 

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    6,936,108      $ 6,936,108   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $6,936,108)

      6,936,108   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 113.4%
(Cost $40,502,662)

      41,826,990   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER
ASSETS — (13.4)%

      (4,952,648
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 36,874,342   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2016, the market value of securities on loan was $6,492,274.
(b) Less than 1 share.
PLC Public Limited Company
 

 

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

 

6


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Statement of Assets & Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value †^

   $ 41,826,990   

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,265,007   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     397,650   

Dividends and interest

     11,986   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     13,631   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     45,515,264   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Securities lending collateral

     6,936,108   

Investments purchased

     1,561,061   

Capital shares redeemed

     41,510   

Investment adviser

     26,348   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     75,895   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     8,640,922   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 36,874,342   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Par value

   $ 2,781   

Paid-in capital

     39,657,802   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment (loss)

     (29,867

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (4,080,702

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     1,324,328   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 36,874,342   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,781,175   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 13.26   
  

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 40,502,662   
  

 

 

 

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 6,492,274   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

7


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
 

Investment Income

  

Dividends †

   $ 263,772   

Securities lending income

     84,428   

Interest

     4,754   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     352,954   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     254,869   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     91,087   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     54,973   

Professional fees

     43,386   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     31,785   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     24,417   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     22,589   

Insurance fees

     10,837   

Registration and filing fees

     8,257   

Other expenses

     1,637   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     543,837   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (250,716
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     293,121   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     59,833   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

  

Net realized loss from:

  

Investments

     (366,594

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     5,410,981   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     5,044,387   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 5,104,220   
  

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $ (308
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

8


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2016
       For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2015
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 59,833         $ (21,887

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     (366,594        874,089   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments

     5,410,981           (13,727,629
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     5,104,220           (12,875,427
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (64,790          

Net realized capital gains

     (66,774        (12,187,028

Tax return of capital

               (101,204
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (131,564        (12,288,232
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     8,645,264           651,878   

Reinvestment of distributions

     106,161           10,101,136   

Redemption fees *

     2,304           786   

Shares redeemed

     (7,239,161        (16,443,081
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

     1,514,568           (5,689,281
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     6,487,224           (30,852,940
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     30,387,118           61,240,058   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 36,874,342         $ 30,387,118   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss), end of year

   $ (29,867      $ (26,158
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding derived from share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     686,021           48,865   

Shares reinvested

     9,931           783,641   

Shares redeemed

     (678,484        (1,106,138
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding

     17,468           (273,632
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* There is a 1.75% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held less than one year. The redemption fees are retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

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

 

9


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding during each period, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the Years Ended August 31,  
     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Per Share Operating Performance

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 11.00      $ 20.16      $ 21.07      $ 16.09      $ 13.70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     0.03 (1)      (0.01 )(1)      (0.09 )(1)      0.08 (1)      (0.11 ) 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     2.29        (4.53     2.63        4.90        2.49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     2.32        (4.54     2.54        4.98        2.38   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.03                            

Net realized gains

     (0.03     (4.58     (3.45              

Tax return of capital

            (0.04                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.06     (4.62     (3.45              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

     (2)      (2)      (2)      (2)      0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 13.26      $ 11.00      $ 20.16      $ 21.07      $ 16.09   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     21.15 %      (25.88 )%      12.59 %      30.95     17.45
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 36,874      $ 30,387      $ 61,240      $ 70,556      $ 62,691   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

     1.15 %      1.15 %      1.15 %      1.15     1.15

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements

     2.13 %      1.82 %      1.52 %      1.50     1.52

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets(4)

     0.23 %      (0.05 )%      (0.44 )%      0.38     (0.64 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

     113.69 %      88.80 %      72.33 %      63.87     67.85

 

(1) Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(2) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) Reflects waivers and reimbursements.

 

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

 

10


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Value Fund”), which commenced investment operations on September 2, 1998. As of the date hereof, the Fund offers Institutional Class shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83,423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed Income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. Fixed Income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of the investment companies (which may use Fair Value Pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •    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.

 

11


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

The following summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

    

Total
Value as of
August 31, 2016

     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

   $ 34,471,499       $ 34,471,499       $       $   

Exchange Traded Fund

     419,383         419,383                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     6,936,108         6,936,108                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 41,826,990       $ 41,826,990       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details on portfolio holdings.

The fair value of a Fund’s bonds are generally based on quotes received from brokers of independent pricing services. Bonds with quotes that are based on actual trades with a sufficient level of activity on or near the measurement date are classified as Level 2 assets. Bonds that are priced using quotes derived from implied values, indicative bids, or a limited amount of actual trades are classified as Level 3 assets because the inputs used by the brokers and pricing services to derive the values are not readily observable.

Investments designated as Level 3 may include assets valued using quotes or indications furnished by brokers which are based on models or estimates and may not be executable prices. In light of the developing market conditions, Schneider Capital Management continues to search for observable data points and evaluate broker quotes and indications received for portfolio investments. Determination of fair values is uncertain because it involves subjective judgments and estimates not easily substantiated by auditing procedures.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require each Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires a Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Small Cap Value Fund.

 

12


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME, AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Foreign securities and other foreign assets and liabilities are valued using the foreign currency exchange rate effective at the end of the reporting period. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Cost of investments is translated at the currency exchange rate effective at the trade date. The gain or loss resulting from a change in currency exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates of a portfolio transaction is treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency. Likewise, the gain or loss resulting from a change in currency exchange rates, between the date income is accrued and paid, is treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared, recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually to shareholders. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Schneider Capital Management Company (“SCM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, SCM is entitled to receive 1.00% of the Small Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly.

 

13


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

SCM has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of the Small Cap Value Fund exceed 1.15%. In determining SCM’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual operating expenses to exceed 1.15%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, advisory fees and waivers of advisory fees were as follows:

 

     Gross Advisory Fees        Waivers        Net Advisory Fees  

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 254,869         $ (250,716      $ 4,153   

The Fund will not pay SCM at a later time for any amounts it may waive or any amounts that SCM has assumed.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administration and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum monthly and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $9,166. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $13,555 in officer fees.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Small Cap Value Fund

     $29,456,845           $28,805,614   

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination,

 

14


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund was as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
       Net  Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 42,176,881         $ 5,216,651         $ (5,566,543      $ (349,892

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains being netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

     Undistributed Net
Investment
Income
       Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
       Paid-In
Capital
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 1,248         $ 67,024         $ (68,272

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Capital Loss
Carryforwards
    Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term Gains
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ (56,873   $       $       $ (349,892   $ (2,379,477

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reportable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 

             Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Return of
Capital
       Total  

2016

       $ 63,293         $         $ 68,272         $ 131,565   

2015

         714,807           11,472,221           101,204           12,288,232   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Funds may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2016.

 

15


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Small Cap Value Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral

    

Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

    

Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

$29,867

     $            —      $2,349,610

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2016 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law.

As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had capital losses carryforward of $56,873, all of which are long-term capital losses and have an unlimited period of capital loss carryforward.

 

6. Securities Lending

The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income and receive cash collateral equal to at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities, as marked to market each day that the NAV of the Fund is determined. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund will pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with the loan of securities. Collateral is invested in short-term investments and the Fund will bear the risk of loss of the invested collateral. Securities lending will expose the Fund to the risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities. The market value of the securities on loan and collateral as of August 31, 2016 and the income received for the year ended August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Fair Value of
Securities Loaned
       Fair Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 6,492,274         $ 6,936,108         $ 84,428   

Securities lending transactions are entered into by each Fund under a Master Securities Lending Agreement (“MSLA”) which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund. The following table is a summary of the Fund’s open securities lending transactions which are subject to a MSLA as of August 31, 2016:

 

Securities Lending

   Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
     Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
     Net Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Gross Amount Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
            Financial
Instruments1
    Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net
Amount2
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 6,492,274       $     —       $ 6,492,274       $ (6,492,274   $     —       $     —   

 

1 

Amount disclosed is limited to the amount of assets presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown.

2 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

16


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

7. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund though the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective November 19, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator, fund accounting agent, transfer agent and dividend paying agent (“Transfer Agent”) to the Fund. U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace the Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

17


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

18


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the tax character of distributions paid by the Funds were as follows:

 

     Ordinary Income
Dividend
     Long-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
     Tax Return
of Capital
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 131,565       $       $   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 100.00% for the Small Cap Value Fund.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00% for the Small Cap Value Fund.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 1.33% for the Small Cap Value Fund.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Funds, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

19


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 520-3277 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreements between SCM and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and Schneider Capital with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Schneider Capital’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Schneider Capital’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Schneider Capital’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Schneider Capital’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Schneider Capital’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Schneider Capital’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Schneider Capital’s compliance procedures; (viii) Schneider Capital’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Schneider Capital. The Directors concluded that Schneider Capital had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that Schneider Capital’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Schneider Capital. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided since inception and for one-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Directors noted that the Fund had outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, for the since inception period ended March 31, 2016. The Directors noted that for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015, the investment performance of the Fund was in the 5th quintile within its Lipper performance universe.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers

 

20


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the advisory fees, after waivers, and actual total expenses of the Fund were all lower than its peer group medians. In addition, the Directors noted that Schneider Capital had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.15% for the Fund.

After reviewing the information regarding Schneider Capital’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Schneider Capital’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund was fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2017.

 

21


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Company Management

(Unaudited)

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 520-3277.

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past

5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   24   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   24   None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

  Director   2012 to present   Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from 2003-2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   24   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 73

  Director   2006 to present   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   24   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

  Director   2016 to present   Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).   24   None

 

22


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past

5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24   Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).   24   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

  Director   1991 to present   Since 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   24   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

  2016 to present   From 1995 – 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216

223 Wilmington West Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  2016 to present   Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).   N/A   N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

  Assistant Treasurer   2016 to present   Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).        

 

23


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past

5 Years

OFFICERS

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 48

  Assistant Secretary   2016 to present   Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007-present)   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

  Assistant Secretary   1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky, and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

24


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES THE SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Does the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (888) 520-3277 or go to www.schneidercap.com

 

25


SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•           Our affiliates include Schneider Capital Management, the investment adviser to the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•           The Schneider Small Cap Value Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Schneider Small Cap Value Fund may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•           The Schneider Small Cap Value Fund does not jointly market.

 

26


Investment Adviser

Schneider Capital Management

460 E. Swedesford Road

Suite 1080

Wayne, PA 19087

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

SCH-AR16

 

 


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund.

It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.



SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

August 31, 2016

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to provide you with this annual report for the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Fund”). In this report, you will find important financial information about the Fund for the twelve month period ended August 31, 2016.

During the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund’s broad based benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index (“the Index”), returned 10.54% while the Fund earned a return of -5.44%. The Fund underperformed the Index primarily as a result of individual security selection within the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. Not having exposure to the energy sector during the period was a notable positive for relative Fund performance, as the Index’s energy holdings posted a large negative return of more than 20%. At the security level, the primary contributors to performance included Amazon.com, Facebook and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. Network security company Palo Alto Networks, and data analytics software company Tableau Software, were among the top contributors for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, but were the two top detractors from performance for the current period. Both positions have been exited. At period end, the Fund remained primarily invested in the information technology, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, with these three sectors comprising more than 90% of the Fund. The Fund ended the fiscal year holding 24 individual stocks. As a result of the portfolio’s concentration, each individual security within the portfolio has a much more meaningful impact on the Fund’s performance than any individual security within the Index.

The last four months of 2015 were relatively uneventful in terms of Fund performance. While the Fund posted a slightly negative return during that time, it earned a positive return for calendar 2015 and outperformed the broad based benchmark. The beginning of 2016 marked one of the worst starts for the markets in history. The Fund’s returns in January and February were the primary reason for its negative return during the period. In early February we witnessed a violent selloff in many growth stocks – particularly in the information technology sector. We used that selloff as an opportunity to add to, or start new positions in some growth stocks that had demonstrated significant growth and had strong outlooks going forward. Another key market event in 2016 was Brexit (the process of Britain leaving the European Union), which added to existing volatility. We believed the impact of this event on the U.S. would be de minimis; and did not make any changes to our investment process. Sticking to our discipline and not panicking during these difficult market events paid off as the Fund earned a solid double digit return in the second half of the period and outperformed the Index. Going forward, through our bottom-up investment process we are finding companies in areas such as the cloud, immunotherapy drugs, and medical devices. We are excited at the opportunities going forward as we are finding more ideas with more upside than we have in some time.

We employ a disciplined, repeatable, and proven investment process that focuses on a bottom-up stock selection approach to generate excess returns. Our investment process begins by screening a universe of more than 5,000 publicly listed companies to seek out those with high revenue growth, high earnings growth, and the ability to become significantly larger companies. Sector weights in our Fund are derived strictly from this bottom-up stock selection process. Looking at the returns of our Fund over the years, the overwhelming majority has been driven by stock selection.

Thank you for your investment and confidence in the Fund. We appreciate the opportunity you have given us to assist you in meeting your investment goals. We are grateful for the trust placed in us.

Sincerely,

Noah Blackstein, CFA

Vice President & Portfolio Manager

Scotia Institutional Asset Management U.S., Ltd.

Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to change and risk.

 

1


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Performance Data

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund vs. Russell 1000® Growth Index

 

LOGO

 

     Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2016  

 

  Average Annual  
     One           Three         Five     Since  
     Year           Years         Years     Inception  

Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund - Class I Shares*

    -5.44%            8.23%            10.72%        19.51%   

Russell 1000® Growth Index**

    10.54%            13.33%            14.74%        17.60%   

 

*

The Fund operated as a series of Scotia Institutional Funds prior to the close of business on March 21, 2014 (the “Predecessor Fund”), at which time the Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a newly created series of The RBB Fund, Inc. The fiscal year end of the Predecessor Fund was September 30. The performance shown for periods prior to March 21, 2014 represents the performance for the Predecessor Fund. While the Predecessor Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund began investing consistent with its investment objective on April 1, 2009. The performance data includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Predecessor Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-888-572-0968.

The Fund applies a 2.00% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence.

The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 1.20% and 0.84%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class I Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Fund through December 31, 2016 to the extent necessary to ensure that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) do not exceed 0.84% (on an annual basis) of Class I’s average daily net assets (the “Expense Limitation”). The Expense Limitation shall remain in effect until December 31, 2016, unless the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. approves its earlier termination.

 

2


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Performance Data (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

The Fund is non-diversified and invests in a limited number of securities. As a result, the Fund’s investment performance may be more volatile, as it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political, or regulatory event than a fund that invests in a greater number of issuers.

From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in one or more specific economic sectors and may be subject to greater risk from downturns affecting a specific sector.

The value of the Fund’s investments in equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day-to-day causing price volatility.

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the large-cap growth segment. The index assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. The performance of an index assumes no transaction costs, taxes, management fees or other expenses. A direct investment in an index is not possible.

 

3


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Fund Expense Examples

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, shareholder servicing fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Examples for Comparison Purposes

The second line of 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 your Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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 transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Class I Shares
    

 

Beginning Account Value

  

 

Ending Account Value

  

 

Expenses Paid

     March 1, 2016    August 31, 2016    During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00    $1,149.40    $4.54

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00      1,020.91      4.27

 

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.84% for Class I Shares, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month total investment return for the Fund as of August 31, 2016 of 14.94% for Class I Shares.

 

4


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

       % of Net      

Security Type/Sector Classification

   Assets   Value

COMMON STOCKS:

        

Information Technology

       34.1     $  21,999,395   

Consumer Discretionary

       32.0          20,593,885   

Health Care

       28.2          18,139,863   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       5.7          3,644,411   
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0     $  64,377,554   
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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

 

5


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

    Number        
      of Shares       Value  

COMMON STOCKSD - 94.3%

  

 

Consumer Discretionary — 32.0%

  

 

Acacia Communications, Inc.*

    26,400        $     2,947,560   

Amazon.com, Inc.*

    5,400          4,153,464   

Five Below, Inc.*

    53,400          2,379,504   

lululemon athletica, Inc.*

    33,500          2,563,085   

Priceline Group, Inc., (The)*

    1,900          2,691,787   

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.*

    9,600          2,373,216   

Zendesk, Inc.*

    34,500          1,053,630   

Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.*

    89,300          2,431,639   
   

 

 

 
          20,593,885   
   

 

 

 

Health Care — 28.2%

   

ABIOMED, Inc.*

    36,900          4,351,986   

Align Technology, Inc.*

    28,500          2,647,650   

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

    16,900          1,946,204   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

    4,700          3,226,174   

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    23,200          2,396,792   

Nevro Corp.*

    28,400          2,681,812   

TESARO, Inc.*

    10,500          889,245   
   

 

 

 
      18,139,863   
   

 

 

 

Information Technology — 34.1%

  

 

Arista Networks, Inc.*

    17,100          1,362,528   
    Number        
      of Shares       Value  
 

Information Technology — (Continued)

  

 

Ellie Mae, Inc.*

    31,500        $ 3,082,905   

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

    26,600          3,354,792   

Gigamon, Inc.*

    62,400          2,758,080   

Inphi Corp.*

    10,400          447,928   

NVIDIA Corp.

    55,600          3,410,504   

Paycom Software, Inc.*

    39,800          2,043,332   

Proofpoint, Inc.*

    35,400          2,724,030   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*

    68,800          2,815,296   
   

 

 

 
      21,999,395   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $53,510,000)

   

    60,733,143   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 94.3%
    (Cost $53,510,000)

   

    60,733,143   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 5.7%

      3,644,411   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

    $     64,377,554   
   

 

 

 

 

D More narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes, whereas broad sectors are utilized for reporting purposes.
* Non-income producing security.
 

 

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

 

6


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $53,510,000)

   $ 60,733,143   

Cash

     3,929,840   

Receivables for:

  

Capital shares sold

     232   

Dividends

     6,394   

Prepaid expenses

     23,569   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     64,693,178   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     176,088   

Capital shares redeemed

     18,450   

Advisory fees

     23,168   

Administration and accounting services fees

     15,055   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     82,863   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     315,624   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 64,377,554   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Par value

   $ 2,583   

Paid-in capital

     66,149,056   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (324,005

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (8,673,223

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     7,223,143   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 64,377,554   
  

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES

  

Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares

   $ 64,377,554   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,582,571   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 24.93   
  

 

 

 

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

 

7


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,894)

   $ 56,252   

Interest

     261   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     56,513   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     463,111   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     86,027   

Shareholder servicing fees (Note 3)

     71,248   

Registration and filing fees

     34,397   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     30,280   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     29,085   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     23,154   

Legal fees

     15,226   

Audit fees

     12,919   

Insurance fees

     11,154   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     10,970   

Other expenses

     20,111   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     807,682   

Less: waivers (Note 2)

     (209,200
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     598,482   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (541,969
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized loss from:

  

Investments

     (8,186,732

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     3,135,496   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (5,051,236
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (5,593,205
  

 

 

 

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

 

8


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     For the     For the  
     Year Ended     Year Ended  
     August 31, 2016     August 31, 2015  

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment loss

   $ (541,969   $ (475,032

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     (8,186,732     7,073,585   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     3,135,496        (675,621
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (5,593,205     5,922,932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

    

Class I Shares

    

Net realized gains

     (5,811,254     (4,595,816
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (5,811,254     (4,595,816
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS DERIVED FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     23,276,767        21,554,359   

Reinvestment of distributions

     5,682,037        4,441,210   

Shares redeemed

     (24,723,652     (15,730,473

Redemption fees*

     23,883        7,266   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     4,259,035        10,272,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (7,145,424     11,599,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

    

Beginning of year

     71,522,978        59,923,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of Year

   $ 64,377,554      $ 71,522,978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $ (324,005   $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I Shares

    

Shares sold

     855,768        754,021   

Shares reinvested

     215,228        182,241   

Shares redeemed

     (1,016,582     (576,114
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     54,414        360,148   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

* There is a 2.00% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees are retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

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

 

9


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Financial Highlights

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    Class I Shares
    For the   For the   For the   For the   For the   For the
    Year Ended   Year Ended   Eleven Months Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended
        August 31, 2016           August 31, 2015       August 31, 2014(1)(2)   September 30, 2013   September 30, 2012   September 30, 2011

Per Share Operating Performance

                       

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 28.29       $ 27.64       $ 27.45       $ 22.45       $ 18.83       $ 16.36  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment loss(3)

      (0.19 )       (0.21 )       (0.20 )       (0.14 )       (0.16 )       (0.16 )

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

      (1.25 )       3.04         2.96         5.14         4.21         2.82  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (1.44 )       2.83         2.76         5.00         4.05         2.66  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

                       

Net investment income

                                               

Net realized gains

      (1.93 )       (2.18 )       (2.57 )               (0.50 )       (0.24 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

      (1.93 )       (2.18 )       (2.57 )               (0.50 )       (0.24 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to paid-in capital(3)

      0.01         (4)                       0.07         0.05  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 24.93       $ 28.29       $ 27.64       $ 27.45       $ 22.45       $ 18.83  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment return(5)

      (5.44 )%       11.49 %       10.62 %(6)(7)       22.27 %       22.31 %       16.54 %
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $ 64,378       $ 71,523       $ 59,924       $ 55,737       $ 59,007       $ 53,332  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

      0.84 %       0.84 %       0.84 %(8)       0.86 %       0.95 %       0.95 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

      1.13 %       1.20 %       1.13 %(8)       1.13 %       1.25 %       1.32 %

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

      (0.76 )%       (0.77 )%       (0.80 )%(8)       (0.63 )%       (0.75 )%       (0.80 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

      374.62 %       297.13 %       276.74 %(6)       345.12 %       323.54 %       358.15 %

 

(1) The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.
(2) Effective as of the close of business on March 21, 2014, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (“Predecessor Fund”), a series of Scotia Institutional Funds. The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund.
(3) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(4) Amount represent less than $0.005 per share.
(5) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(6) Not annualized.
(7) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for the shareholder transactions.
(8) Annualized.

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

 

10


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the Investment Company Act, and for other purposes, and, a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is authorized to issue three classes of shares, Institutional Shares, Class I Shares and Class II Shares. As of August 31, 2016, Institutional Shares and Class II shares were not yet being offered to the public.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio. The Fund has issued shares with a par value of $0.001.

The Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of Scotia Institutional Funds, transferred all of its assets and liabilities to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization occurred at the close of business on March 21, 2014. The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2009. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund was assumed by the Fund. Performance and accounting information prior to the close of business on March 21, 2014 included herein is that of the Predecessor Fund.

At the date of the Reorganization, the Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

Portfolio Valuation – The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Investments in other open-end investment companies, if any, are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Fair Value Measurements – The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three Levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •  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.

 

11


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                Level 2        
                Other     Level 3  
    Total Value at     Level 1     Significant     Significant  
    August 31,     Quoted     Observable     Unobservable  
    2016     Price     Inputs     Inputs  

Investments in Securities*

  $ 60,733,143      $ 60,733,143      $      $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

* Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

Use of Estimates — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s policy is to allocate investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and

 

12


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

losses among classes on a daily basis, when applicable. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Redemption Fees — The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares held less than 60 days. The fees are reflected on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fee or any waivers of such fee at any time.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Scotia Institutional Asset Management US, Ltd. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an advisory fee calculated daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and reimburse expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) exceed 0.74% for Institutional Shares, 0.84% for Class I Shares and 0.99% for Class II Shares (Institutional Shares and Class II Shares have not commenced operations as of August 31, 2016) until December 31, 2016. Prior to such date, this contractual agreement may only be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The expenses that are excluded from the waiver could cause the net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 0.74%, 0.84% or 0.99%, as applicable. If it becomes unnecessary for the Adviser to waive fees or make reimbursements, the Adviser may recapture any of its prior waivers or reimbursements for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which the waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent that such a recapture does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) to exceed the applicable expense limitation that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

13


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Adviser earned fees of $463,111 and waived fees of $209,200.

As of August 31, 2016, the amount of the Adviser’s potential recovery was as follows:

 

Expiration

August 31, 2017

 

August 31, 2018

 

August 31, 2019

$109,821

  $223,030   $209,200

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

3. Shareholder Servicing Plan

The Fund has adopted Shareholder Services Plans for the Class I and Class II Shares. Under the Shareholder Services Plans, the Fund may pay service fees to firms that provide shareholder services, such as responding to shareholder inquiries and assisting shareholders with their accounts, not exceeding ten basis points (0.10%) and twenty-five basis points (0.25%), respectively, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares and Class II Shares.

4. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund for the year ended August 31, 2016 was $10,471. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided. For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $12,934 in officer fees.

 

14


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

5. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales       

Investment Securities

   $     258,185,030       $     259,229,317      

6. Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

            

Federal tax cost

   $ 53,571,123     
  

 

 

   

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 7,917,555     

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (755,535  
  

 

 

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 7,162,020     
  

 

 

   

Distributions to shareholders, if any, from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed

Net Investment

        Income        

    

Accumulated

Net Realized

        Gain        

    

Paid-In

    Capital    

$217,964

     $3      $(217,967)

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Capital Loss

Carryforwards

    

Net Unrealized

    Appreciation    

    

Qualified

Late-Year

    Losses    

$(319,048)

     $7,162,020      $(8,617,057)

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

15


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and August 31, 2015 was as follows:

 

     Ordinary        Long-Term  
     Income        Gains  

2016        

   $ 1,608,803         $ 4,202,451   

2015        

     1,974,976           2,620,840   

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2016, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purpose until September 1, 2016.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund deferred to September 1, 2016, the following losses:

 

Late-Year

Ordinary

Loss Deferral

    

Short-Term

Capital

Loss Deferral

    

Long-Term

Capital

Gain Deferral

$324,005

     $9,289,827      $(996,775)

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2016 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund had short-term capital loss carryforwards of $319,048.

7. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund though the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Fund.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Fund (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Fund.

 

16


LOGO

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

and the Shareholders of Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2016, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the eleven months ended August 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013 have been audited by other auditors whose report, dated November 25, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on such financial statements and financial highlights.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund as of August 31, 2016, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and for the eleven months ended August 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

LOGO

BBD, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2016

 

17


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

Certain tax information is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable period ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2016. During the fiscal period ended August 31, 2016, the Fund paid $1,608,803 of ordinary income dividends and $4,202,451 of long-term capital gain dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 1.33%.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 1.50%.

The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distributions as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

18


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Other Information

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 572-0968 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Forms N-Q will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Advisory Agreement

As required by the Investment Company Act, the Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the Adviser’s personnel providing those services; (iii) the Adviser’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) the Adviser’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) the Adviser’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) the Adviser’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) the Adviser’s compliance procedures; (viii) the Adviser’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of a comparable account managed by the Adviser; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser. The Directors concluded that the Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that the Adviser’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Adviser. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided since inception and for one-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Directors noted that the Fund outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the since inception period ended March 31, 2016. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance

 

19


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors also considered the Fund’s investment performance ranking within its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe noting that the Fund ranked in the 1st quintile of its performance universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2015.

The board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for a comparable account managed by the Adviser. In addition, the Directors noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 0.74% for Institutional Class Shares, 0.84% for Class I Shares and 0.99% for Class II Shares.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the Adviser’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2017.

 

20


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company Management

(Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 572-0968.

 

           

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held

  with Company  

  

  Term of Office  

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

  Principal Occupation(s)  

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

    Fund Complex  

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director in

  the Past 5 Years  

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 83

   Director    1988 to present   

From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).

 

   24    AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

   Director    2002 to present   

Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.

 

   24    None

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 49

   Director    2012 to present   

Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

   24    Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202    

Age: 73

   Director    2006 to present    Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.    24   

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

 

21


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held

  with Company  

  

  Term of Office  

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

  Principal Occupation(s)  

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

    Fund Complex  

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director in

  the Past 5 Years  

           

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202    

Age: 62

   Director    2016 to present    Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).    24    None
           

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 68

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).    24    Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).
           

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 75

   Director    2006 to present   

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).

 

   24    Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
                          

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held

  with Company  

  

  Term of Office  

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

  Principal Occupation(s)  

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

    Fund Complex  

Overseen by

Director*

 

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2
           

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 78

   Director    1991 to present   

Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

 

   24    None

 

22


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held

  with Company  

  

  Term of Office  

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

  Principal Occupation(s)  

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

    Fund Complex  

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

OFFICERS
           

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 53

 

   President Chief Compliance Officer    2009 to present 2004 to present    Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company)    N/A    N/A
           

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

   Treasurer and Secretary    2016 to present   

From 1995 - 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of the The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

   N/A    N/A
           

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate Center

Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 62

   Assistant Treasurer    2016 to present   

Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012, Consultant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (registered investment company).

 

   N/A    N/A
           

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 34

   Assistant Treasurer    2016 to present   

Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).

 

   N/A    N/A
           

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan

St. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 45

   Assistant Secretary    2016 to present   

Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007- present)

 

   N/A    N/A
           

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000    

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

 

   Assistant Secretary    1999 to present    Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).    N/A    N/A

 

* Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1  Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky, and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2  Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

23


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

FACTS        

WHAT DOES THE SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND DO WITH YOUR

PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?  

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?  

 

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information may include:

•  Social Security number

•  account balances

•  account transactions

•  transaction history

•  wire transfer instructions

•  checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How?  

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information   

Does the Scotia Dynamic

U.S. Growth Fund Share?    

     Can you limit this sharing?  

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

   Yes    No

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

   No    We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies    No    We don’t share

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

   Yes    No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

   No    We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you    No    We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you    No    We don’t share
           
Questions?    Call 1-888-572-0968 or go to us.scotiafunds.com

 

24


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

   

How does the Scotia Dynamic U.S.  

  To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we

    Growth Fund protect my

  use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures

    personal information?

  include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

How does the Scotia Dynamic U.S.

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you

    Growth Fund collect my

 

•  open an account

    personal information?

 

•  provide account information

   

•  give us your contact information

   

•  make a wire transfer

   

•  tell us where to send the money

    We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus,
    affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
   

•  sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about

    your creditworthiness
   

•  affiliates from using your information to market to you

   

•  sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

    State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit
    sharing.

Definitions

   

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial
    and nonfinancial companies.
    Our affiliates include companies such as Scotia Institutional Investments
    US, LP and Hollis Wealth Inc.

Nonaffiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be
    financial and nonfinancial companies.
    Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so
    they can market to you.

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that
    together market financial products or services to you.
   

Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund doesn’t jointly market.

 

 

25


Investment Adviser

Scotia Institutional Asset Management U.S., Ltd.

1 Adelaide St. E., Ste. 2800,

Toronto, ON M5C 2V9

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

BBD, LLP

1835 Market Street, 26th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

SCO-AR16


 

LOGO

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2016

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds.

It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Funds.


 

 

 

 


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us and are continually grateful to work with you. It enables all of us at Summit Global Investments (“SGI”) to do what we love every day-manage equities. We believe that investors are ultimately rewarded when equity risk is prudently managed. Our strategy utilizes time-tested investment principles and seeks to be fully invested in the equity market while providing a smoother ride than other investment strategies.

We firmly believe that investing with a long-term, risk-return perspective is key to experiencing superior risk-adjusted returns. While staying the course with a low volatility portfolio does not eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of market gyrations.

Our investment approach to portfolio construction takes into consideration a multitude of factors that ultimately help drive the price of equities. We sincerely value and believe strongly that return and risk must coincide and be effectively managed together. Investing in cap-weighted indexes, higher risk strategies, products or markets just for exposure without regard to the investment’s return seems unwarranted. Investing for return must always be weighed against the risk of the investments.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Fund returned 13.99% (Class I Shares) vs. 12.54% for the S&P 500® Index (the “Index”), thus outperforming the Index by 1.44%. Since our last letter to shareholders dated February 28, 2016, U.S. equities have experienced quite the ride with the Fund returning 8.98% vs. 13.60% for the Index, thus underperforming the Index by 4.62%. This ride, though slightly volatile with the “Brexit” vote, has come with a significant decrease in overall volatility as compared to previous periods. The beta for the Fund, as of August 31, 2016, was 0.72.1

We were recently asked if the “apocalypse” of low-volatility equity has come. Our answer is a resounding NO!!! Although the Fund underperformed its market benchmark since our last shareholder letter, this is certainly not the “end”. In fact, it looks like a prudent position for low-volatility equities going forward. There’s been much hype about high valuations of defensive sectors or a crowded trade in low-volatility equities. We always feel it’s best to check beyond the hype and check in with reality. The reality is sector valuations are fairly priced.

With respect to a crowded trade, the numbers don’t bear it out. Overall passive investing has been growing 2% per annum (over active) or $17 billion per month. Passive strategies now account for 43% of managed assets. Within active strategies only 1% of managed assets flow into low-volatility equity (For comparison, 23% of managed assets are in active value strategies.) If active low-volatility equity strategies had inflows of $2 billion per month it would take over 20 years for low volatility to make up 10% of AUM in active strategies.

Cyclical Stocks Surge with Consumer Optimism

Consumer confidence has increased, approaching the highest level since the recession, due primarily to improving employment. The market was also boosted by complacent risk as the VIX Index, a gauge of market volatility, fell from a 26 to 13 by the end of the 2nd quarter. While the U.S. economic indicators have generally led to the downside over the past quarter, the outperformance of “early cyclicals” coupled with lower volatility, suggest the bounce, post-Brexit, has not been a “junk trade”, but rather a bet on an economic reacceleration

 

 

1 

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

 

1


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

LOGO

Business Cycle Moves in Late Stage

Equity sector momentum and economic indicators suggest the U.S. is in the late stage of economic expansion. Materials, industrials, and energy sectors, usually the best performers at the end of an expansion, delivered strong performance. Oil has increased and interest rates began rising, with 10-year government bond rates rising from 1.35% to near 1.70%. Historically, a sense of euphoria can drive market valuations to extreme levels prior to a correction. History shows when a business cycle moves into a late stage there is a 50/50 chance of recession in the next 12-18 months. This current economic expansion is now the 4th longest in history.

 

 

1 

Beta attempts to measure relative market risk. A beta rating above 1.0 indicates greater volatility than the market. A beta rating below 1.0 indicates lower volatility than the market.

 

2


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Market Valuations Are Stretched

Noted economist Benjamin Graham once proclaimed, “In the short run, the market is like a voting machine...but in the long run, it is like a weighing machine.” Since the last recession, the market rise has been supported by increasing earnings until recently (see chart below) when the market surged ahead despite falling earnings. This growing disconnect between prices and earnings will be resolved by either a fall in market prices or a dramatic increase in earnings. It’s difficult to believe earnings rebounding so strongly with oil prices rising, wages ticking up, and profit margins decreasing. Our view is to be more cautious ahead. We see little-to-sluggish growth in earnings.

S&P 500 Price and Trailing EPS

 

LOGO

Low Volatility Protects when the VIX Spikes

We believe short-term market timing of asset classes and styles is very difficult. Over full business cycles, low-volatility portfolios have generated market returns with a smoother ride. Lower volatility portfolios work best during periods of increased market risk.

The VIX has spiked several times during the last two years (e.g., Russia invading the Ukraine, the Ebola outbreak, Brexit, etc.) During these events, SGI’s Low-Volatility strategies protected on the downside. Once fear subsided, the VIX decreased and SGI’s strategies trailed the market’s rise. (The chart shows the relative performance of the U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund’s Class I net of fees and VIX levels.)

 

LOGO

 

3


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

With the VIX currently at all-time lows, if there was a good entry point for low-volatility equity, now might be that time, as valuations have become relatively cheaper. The best time to buy insurance is before you need it, especially when it is priced cheap during periods of market complacency (i.e., right now!!!)

SGI’s Multi-Factor, Multi-Faceted Investment Approach

Historically, a blended or multi-factor approach increases investment return consistency as single factors tend to go in and out of style. Utilizing a multi-factor approach has cyclically outperformed the Index and helps limit the drastic return extremes of single factor exposure (such as many passive “smart beta” approaches).

SGI’s proprietary investment model blends multiple factors (e.g., risk, valuation, growth, momentum and quality) to quantitatively analyze equities. In addition, we conduct a fundamental risk over-lay to examine risks not easily quantifiable. We believe these processes, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative inputs, better protect and grow client assets.

We continue to reiterate that large market events are being driven more and more by world events than ever before. U.S. markets do not stand alone, isolated from the world. U.S. companies are global companies. Their revenue and profits, business plans and investments, and ultimately success or failure is more correlated to global events than ever in history. As such, companies must be as strong or stronger, balance sheet-wise, than the country in which they are headquartered. We must keep an eye on such events and company strength throughout the coming months and years.

In addition to global and political events, companies are unique in how each prepares, responds and survives the impact of such macro events and economic cycles. While some cycles may vary in length and events differ in impact, we believe, for U.S. equity exposure, the Fund’s approach is effective over full market cycles.

Our philosophy to navigate such markets is simple and consistent throughout up and down markets. We believe that being invested in a low volatility equity portfolio over full market cycles provides lower price fluctuations, more consistent and reliable returns with smaller drawdowns, and adds increased diversification when combined with other investment strategies. Our approach takes into account each underlying company’s stock volatility, expected market return and how it correlates with other stocks within the portfolio, ultimately seeking to maximize return with an overall lower risk than a cap-weighted benchmark. As stated in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund seeks to outperform the Index over a full market cycle while reducing overall volatility.

Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are several time-tested investment principles that may help put the odds in your favor. It is our sincere effort to follow such principles and provide acceptable long-term, risk-adjusted returns.

 

4


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

While we remain optimistic about the opportunities within the U.S. equity market, we remain focused on monitoring the risk of individual companies and the Fund’s overall portfolio. During these times of continued uncertainty, we believe the Fund will provide access to market returns with less overall risk.

Sincerely,

Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

5


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us and are continually grateful to work with you. It enables all of us at Summit Global Investments (“SGI”) to do what we love every day-manage equities. We believe that investors are ultimately rewarded when equity risk is prudently managed. Our strategy utilizes time-tested investment principles and seeks to be fully invested in the equity market while providing a smoother ride than other investment strategies.

We firmly believe that investing with a long-term, risk-return perspective is key to experiencing superior risk-adjusted returns. While staying the course with a low volatility portfolio does not eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of market gyrations.

Our investment approach to portfolio construction takes into consideration a multitude of factors that ultimately help drive the price of equities. We sincerely value and believe strongly that return and risk must coincide and be effectively managed together. Investing in cap-weighted indexes, higher risk strategies, or products or markets just for exposure without regard to the investment’s return seems unwarranted. Investing for return must always be weighed against the risk of the investments.

Since the commencement of the Fund’s operations on March 31, 2016, U.S. equities have experienced quite the ride with the Fund returning 8.30% (Class I Shares) vs. 11.93% for the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”), thus underperforming the Index by 3.63%. This ride, though slightly volatile with the “Brexit” vote, has come with a significant decrease in overall volatility. The beta for the Fund, as of August 31, 2016, was 0.70.1

We were recently asked if the “apocalypse” of low-volatility equity has come. Our answer is a resounding NO!!! Especially in small cap equities. Although the Fund underperformed its market benchmark, this is certainly not the “end”. In fact, it looks like a prudent position for low-volatility equities going forward. There’s been much hype about high valuations of defensive sectors or a crowded trade in low-volatility equities. We always feel it’s best to check beyond the hype and check in with reality. The reality is sector valuations are fairly priced.

With respect to a crowded trade, the numbers don’t bear it out. Overall passive investing has been growing 2% per annum (over active) or $17 billion per month. Passive strategies now account for 43% of managed assets. Within active strategies only 1% of managed assets flow into low-volatility equity (For comparison, 23% of managed assets are in active value strategies.) If active low-volatility equity strategies had inflows of $2 billion per month it would take over 20 years for low volatility to make up 10% of AUM in active strategies.

Cyclical Stocks Surge with Consumer Optimism

Consumer confidence has increased, approaching the highest level since the recession, due primarily to improving employment. The market was also boosted by complacent risk as the VIX Index, a gauge of market volatility, fell from a 26 to 13 by the end of the 2nd quarter. While the U.S. economic indicators have generally led to the downside over the past quarter, the outperformance of “early cyclicals” coupled with lower volatility, suggest the bounce, post-Brexit, has not been a “junk trade”, but rather a bet on an economic reacceleration.

Business Cycle Moves in Late Stage

Equity sector momentum and economic indicators suggest the U.S. is in the late stage of economic expansion. Materials, industrials, and energy sectors, usually the best performers at the end of an expansion, delivered strong performance. Oil has increased and interest rates began rising, with 10-year government bond rates rising from 1.35% to near 1.70%. Historically, a sense of euphoria can drive market valuations to extreme levels prior to a correction. History shows when a business cycle moves into a late stage there is a 50/50 chance of recession in the next 12-18 months. This current economic expansion is now the 4th longest in history.

 

 

1 

Beta attempts to measure relative market risk. A beta rating above 1.0 indicates greater volatility than the market. A beta rating below 1.0 indicates lower volatility than the market.

 

6


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Market Valuations Are Stretched

Noted economist Benjamin Graham proclaimed, “In the short run, the market is like a voting machine...but in the long run, it is like a weighing machine.” Since the last recession, the market rise has been supported by increasing earnings until recently when the market surged ahead despite falling earnings. This growing disconnect between prices and earnings will be resolved by either a fall in market prices or a dramatic increase in earnings. It’s difficult to believe earnings rebounding so strongly with oil prices rising, wages ticking up, and profit margins decreasing. Our view is to be more cautious ahead. We see little-to-sluggish growth in earnings.

With the VIX currently at all-time lows, if there was a good entry point for low-volatility equity, now might be that time as valuations have become relatively cheaper. The best time to buy insurance is before you need it, especially when it is priced cheap during periods of market complacency (i.e., right now!!!)

SGI’s Multi-Factor, Multi-Faceted Investment Approach

Historically, a blended or multi-factor approach increases investment return consistency as single factors tend to go in and out of style. Utilizing a multi-factor approach has cyclically outperformed the Index and helps limit the drastic return extremes of single factor exposure (such as many passive “smart beta” approaches).

SGI’s proprietary investment model blends multiple factors (e.g., risk, valuation, growth, momentum and quality) to quantitatively analyze equities. In addition, we conduct a fundamental risk over-lay to examine risks not easily quantifiable. We believe these processes, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative inputs, better protect and grow client assets.

We continue to reiterate that large market events are being driven more and more by world events than ever before. U.S. markets do not stand alone, isolated from the world. U.S. companies are global companies. Their revenue and profits, business plans and investments, and ultimately success or failure is more correlated to global events than ever in history. As such, companies must be as strong or stronger, balance sheet-wise, than the country in which they are headquartered. We must keep an eye on such events and company strength throughout the coming months and years.

In addition to global and political events, companies are unique in how each prepares, responds and survives the impact of such macro events and economic cycles. While some cycles may vary in length and events differ in impact, we believe, for U.S. equity exposure, the Fund’s approach is effective over full market cycles.

Our philosophy to navigate such markets is simple and consistent throughout up and down markets. We believe that being invested in a low volatility equity portfolio over full market cycles provides lower price fluctuations, more consistent and reliable returns with smaller drawdowns, and adds increased diversification when combined with other investment strategies. Our approach takes into account each underlying company’s stock volatility, expected market return and how it correlates with other stocks within the portfolio, ultimately seeking to maximize return with an overall lower risk than a cap-weighted benchmark. As stated in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund seeks to outperform the Index over a full market cycle while reducing overall volatility.

Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are several time-tested investment principles that may help put the odds in your favor. It is our sincere effort to follow such principles and provide acceptable long-term, risk-adjusted returns.

While we remain optimistic about the opportunities within the U.S. equity market, we remain focused on monitoring the risk of individual companies and the Fund’s overall portfolio. During these times of continued uncertainty, we believe the Fund will provide access to market returns with less overall risk.

Sincerely,

Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

7


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS A SHARES

Performance Data

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity

Fund - Class A Shares

vs. S&P 500® Index

 

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment, adjusted for the Class A Shares’ maximum sales charge of 5.25% to a net initial investment of $9,475, in the Fund’s Class A Shares made on October 29, 2015 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2016         
      Since        
      Inception†        

Class A Shares (without sales charge)(a)

     6.74%       

Class A Shares (with sales charge)(a)

     1.16%       

S&P 500® Index (excluding dividends)

     4.41% (b)         

 

Not annualized.

 

(a) 

Class A Shares of the Fund commenced operations on October 29, 2015.

 

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class A Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Class A Shares of the Fund have a 5.25% maximum sales charge.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 1.45% and 1.23%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class A Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2016 without

 

8


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS A SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Effective January 1, 2013, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”). The S&P 500® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 500 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. stock market as a whole. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

9


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity

Fund - Class C Shares

vs. S&P 500® Index

 

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Class C Shares made on December 31, 2015 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2016     
      Since     
      Inception†     

Class C Shares(a)

       6.93%         

S&P 500® Index (excluding dividends)

       6.21% (b)           

 

Not annualized.

(a) 

Class C Shares of the Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2015.

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class C Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 2.20% and 1.98%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class C Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.98%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2016 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Effective January 1, 2013, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

 

10


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”). The S&P 500® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 500 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. stock market as a whole. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

11


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity

Fund - Class I Shares

vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Class I Shares made on February 29, 2012 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended August 31, 2016  
                          Since  
        1 Year        3 Year        Inception  

Class I Shares

       13.99%           12.31%           12.48 %* 

S&P 500® Index (excluding dividends)

       10.08%           9.94%           10.83 %** 

 

(a) 

The Fund commenced operations on February 29, 2012.

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2015, are 1.20% and 0.98%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class I Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 0.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 0.98%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2016 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Effective January 1, 2013, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 0.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

 

12


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”). The S&P 500® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 500 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. stock market as a whole. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

13


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility

Fund - Class C Shares

vs. Russell 2000® Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Class C Shares made on March 31, 2016 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2016         
      Since        
      Inception†        

Class C Shares(a)

     8.00    

Russell 2000® Index (excluding dividends)

     11.93 %(b)         

 

Not annualized.

(a) 

Class C Shares of the Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class C Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated March 31, 2016, are 2.45% and 2.23%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class C Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 2.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 2.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2017 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 2.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

 

14


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Russell 2000® Index (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2,000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

The Fund invests in equity securities and in stocks of small companies which are subject to market, economic and business risks that may cause their price to rise or fall over time. Stocks of small companies may be more volatile, less liquid or not as readily marketable as, those of larger companies. Small companies may also have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent on relatively small or inexperienced management groups. Although the Fund seeks lower volatility, there is no guarantee the Fund will perform as expected.

 

15


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility

Fund - Class I Shares

vs. Russell 2000® Index

 

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Class I Shares made on March 31, 2016 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2016  
      Since  
      Inception†  

Class I Shares(a)

     8.30%      

Russell 2000® Index (excluding dividends)

     11.93%(b)   

 

Not annualized.

(a) 

Class I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class I Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated March 31, 2016, are 1.45% and 1.23%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class I Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2017 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

 

16


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Russell 2,000® Index (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

“The Fund invests in equity securities which are subject to market, economic and business risks that may cause their price to rise or fall over time. Although the Fund seeks lower volatility by investing in stocks with a lower risk profile, such exposure may limit the Fund’s gains in a rising market.”

 

17


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - RETAIL SHARES

Performance Data (Continued)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility

Fund - Retail Shares

vs. Russell 2000® Index

 

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Retail Shares made on March 31, 2016 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2016  
      Since  
      Inception†  

Retail Shares(a)

     8.30%      

Russell 2000® Index (excluding dividends)

     11.93%(b)   

 

Not annualized.

(a) 

The Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

(b) 

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated March 31, 2016, are 1.70% and 1.48%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Retail Shares. These rates may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.48% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Retail Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 1.48%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2017 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.48% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Retail Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made.

 

18


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - RETAIL SHARES

Performance Data (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investment will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change. The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Russell 2000® Index (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2,000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

19


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Fund Expense Examples

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (if applicable); redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2016 or the commencement of operations (as indicated) through August 31, 2016 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Examples for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying table 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 your Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying 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.

 

20


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

     Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2016
   Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
   Expenses Paid
During Period*

Class A Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,087.50          $  6.45  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,018.95          6.24  

Class C Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,078.00          $10.39  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,015.13          10.08  

Class I Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,089.00          $  5.15  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,020.21          4.98  
     Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund
     Beginning Account Value
March 31, 2016
   Ending Account Value
August 31, 2016
   Expenses Paid
During Period**

Class C Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,080.00          $  9.63  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,013.93          11.29  

Class I Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,083.00          $  5.32  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,018.95          6.24  

Retail Shares

              

Actual

       $1,000.00          $1,083.00          $  6.40  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,017.70          7.51  

 

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.23%, 1.99% and 0.98% for Class A, Class C and Class I Shares of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, respectively, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in the tables is based on the actual six-month total investment return for the Fund of 8.75%, 7.80% and 8.90% for Class A, Class C and Class I Shares, respectively.

 

**

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 2.23%, 1.23% and 1.48% for Class C, Class I and Retail Shares of the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund, respectively, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by the number of days (152) from March 31, 2016 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016. The Funds’ ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual total return since the commencement of operations, of 8.00%, 8.30% and 8.30% for Class C, Class I and Retail Shares, respectively. For comparison purposes, the hypothetical expenses are as if the Fund had been in existence from March 1, 2016 and are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each Class, multiplied by the average value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 366.

 

21


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

         % of Net            

Security Type/Sector Classification

   Assets     Value  

COMMON STOCKS:

       

Retail

        12.3   $ 15,485,134   

Food

        8.8        11,074,637   

Electric

        7.6        9,540,462   

Software

        6.5        8,165,174   

Pharmaceuticals

        5.8        7,253,982   

Telecommunications

        5.7        7,169,763   

Computers

        5.4        6,810,296   

Insurance

        5.4        6,776,183   

Oil & Gas

        4.8        6,084,464   

Healthcare-Products

        3.9        4,939,506   

Healthcare-Services

        3.8        4,735,760   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

        2.6        3,210,277   

Transportation

        2.4        3,061,422   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

        2.4        3,039,653   

Environmental Control

        2.4        2,977,220   

Advertising

        2.0        2,566,674   

Household Products/Wares

        1.9        2,434,302   

Diversified Financial Services

        1.6        2,052,654   

Commercial Services

        1.5        1,862,216   

Aerospace/Defense

        1.4        1,773,681   

Biotechnology

        1.4        1,716,522   

Banks

        1.3        1,641,510   

Media

        1.1        1,358,543   

Information Technology

        0.7        825,968   

Airlines

        0.5        641,535   

Apparel

        0.4        564,655   

Internet

        0.4        506,260   

Semiconductors

        0.2        258,408   

Auto Parts & Equipment

        0.2        255,345   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

        5.6        6,988,362   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        100.0   $ 125,770,568   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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

 

22


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 94.4%

  

Advertising — 2.0%

  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     29,800         $ 2,566,674   
     

 

 

 
            2,566,674   
     

 

 

 

Aerospace/Defense — 1.4%

  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     7,300           1,773,681   
     

 

 

 
        1,773,681   
     

 

 

 

Airlines — 0.5%

  

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

     9,500           641,535   
     

 

 

 
        641,535   
     

 

 

 

Apparel — 0.4%

  

VF Corp.

     9,100           564,655   
     

 

 

 
        564,655   
     

 

 

 

Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.2%

  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., (The)

     8,700           255,345   
     

 

 

 
        255,345   
     

 

 

 

Banks — 1.3%

  

US Bancorp

     27,400           1,209,710   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     8,500           431,800   
     

 

 

 
        1,641,510   
     

 

 

 

Biotechnology — 1.4%

  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     21,900           1,716,522   
     

 

 

 
        1,716,522   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 1.5%

  

Cintas Corp.

     4,500           528,795   

Total System Services, Inc.

     21,700           1,068,725   

Western Union Co., (The)

     12,300           264,696   
     

 

 

 
        1,862,216   
     

 

 

 

Computers — 5.4%

  

Accenture PLC, Class A

     14,800           1,702,000   

Apple, Inc.

     16,400           1,740,040   

International Business Machines Corp.

     21,200           3,368,256   
     

 

 

 
        6,810,296   
     

 

 

 

Cosmetics/Personal Care — 2.4%

  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     10,000           743,400   

Procter & Gamble Co., (The)

     26,300           2,296,253   
     

 

 

 
        3,039,653   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 1.6%

  

American Express Co.

     31,300           2,052,654   
     

 

 

 
        2,052,654   
     

 

 

 

Electric — 7.6%

  

CMS Energy Corp.

     5,700           239,229   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Electric — (Continued)

  

  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     15,800         $ 1,171,728   

DTE Energy Co.

     8,600           798,940   

Duke Energy Corp.

     13,400           1,067,444   

Edison International

     29,300           2,130,696   

PG&E Corp.

     3,700           229,178   

PPL Corp.

     29,900           1,039,922   

Southern Co., (The)

     16,900           867,477   

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     20,000           1,197,600   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     19,300           798,248   
     

 

 

 
            9,540,462   
     

 

 

 

Environmental Control — 2.4%

  

Republic Services, Inc.

     32,100           1,621,692   

Waste Management, Inc.

     21,200           1,355,528   
     

 

 

 
        2,977,220   
     

 

 

 

Food — 8.8%

  

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

     5,000           233,050   

General Mills, Inc.

     44,700           3,165,654   

Hershey Co., (The)

     5,200           519,428   

Hormel Foods Corp.

     58,300           2,230,558   

Kellogg Co.

     17,700           1,455,117   

McCormick & Co., Inc.

     5,100           519,996   

Sysco Corp.

     56,900           2,950,834   
     

 

 

 
        11,074,637   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 3.9%

  

Baxter International, Inc.

     20,500           957,965   

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

     8,600           528,556   

Henry Schein, Inc.*

     3,000           491,370   

Medtronic PLC

     3,600           313,308   

Patterson Cos, Inc.

     45,800           2,106,800   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     1,600           243,504   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

     3,100           298,003   
     

 

 

 
        4,939,506   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Services — 3.8%

  

Aetna, Inc.

     9,700           1,136,064   

Anthem, Inc.

     10,900           1,363,372   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     5,800           794,194   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     10,600           1,442,130   
     

 

 

 
        4,735,760   
     

 

 

 

Household Products/Wares — 1.9%

  

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

     11,700           1,163,214   

Clorox Co., (The)

     9,700           1,271,088   
     

 

 

 
        2,434,302   
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

23


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

     Number
  of Shares  
     Value  

Information Technology — 0.7%

  

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     10,400         $ 825,968   
     

 

 

 
        825,968   
     

 

 

 

Insurance — 5.4%

  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

     3,800           571,862   

Chubb Ltd.

     6,500           825,045   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

     41,200           3,176,932   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     5,600           274,792   

Progressive Corp., (The)

     59,200           1,927,552   
     

 

 

 
            6,776,183   
     

 

 

 

Internet — 0.4%

  

VeriSign, Inc.*

     6,800           506,260   
     

 

 

 
        506,260   
     

 

 

 

Media — 1.1%

  

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

     3,700           234,469   

Walt Disney Co., (The)

     11,900           1,124,074   
     

 

 

 
        1,358,543   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 4.8%

  

California Resources Corp.*

     1           8   

Chevron Corp.

     6,700           673,886   

ConocoPhillips

     5,200           213,460   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     32,700           2,849,478   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     15,500           1,191,175   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     4,100           734,105   

Tesoro Corp.

     5,600           422,352   
     

 

 

 
        6,084,464   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 5.8%

  

Express Scripts Holding Co.*

     12,000           872,400   

Johnson & Johnson

     27,300           3,257,982   

McKesson Corp.

     2,800           516,936   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     5,600           351,624   

Pfizer, Inc.

     64,800           2,255,040   
     

 

 

 
        7,253,982   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.6%

  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

     5,700           257,526   

Equity Residential

     3,600           233,532   

HCP, Inc.

     6,700           263,511   

Prologis, Inc.

     4,900           260,239   

Public Storage

     3,800           850,972   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     5,100           1,098,897   

Welltower, Inc.

     3,200           245,600   
     

 

 

 
        3,210,277   
     

 

 

 
     Number
  of Shares  
     Value  

Retail — 12.3%

  

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

     15,100         $ 700,187   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     14,600           2,366,514   

Dollar General Corp.

     18,900           1,387,449   

Foot Locker, Inc.

     12,600           827,064   

Genuine Parts Co.

     20,900           2,148,938   

Home Depot, Inc., (The)

     13,900           1,864,268   

McDonald’s Corp.

     8,100           936,846   

Target Corp.

     33,200           2,330,308   

TJX Cos, Inc., (The)

     22,900           1,773,376   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

     16,100           1,150,184   
     

 

 

 
            15,485,134   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 0.2%

  

Intel Corp.

     7,200           258,408   
     

 

 

 
        258,408   
     

 

 

 

Software — 6.5%

  

CA, Inc.

     35,700           1,210,587   

Cerner Corp.*

     4,200           271,068   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     3,200           253,856   

Fiserv, Inc.*

     20,500           2,112,525   

Microsoft Corp.

     38,600           2,217,956   

Paychex, Inc.

     34,600           2,099,182   
     

 

 

 
        8,165,174   
     

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 5.7%

  

AT&T, Inc.

     79,200           3,237,696   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     24,700           776,568   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     60,300           3,155,499   
     

 

 

 
        7,169,763   
     

 

 

 

Transportation — 2.4%

  

CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

     44,100           3,061,422   
     

 

 

 
        3,061,422   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $105,562,063)

        118,782,206   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 94.4%
(Cost $105,562,063)

        118,782,206   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 5.6%

        6,988,362   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

      $ 125,770,568   
     

 

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

PLC Public Limited Company

 

 

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

 

24


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

       % of Net          

Security Type/Sector Classification

   Assets     Value  

COMMON STOCKS:

       

Electric

        7.7   $ 939,105   

Commercial Services

        5.7        691,469   

Chemicals

        5.6        678,332   

Insurance

        4.6        556,064   

Food

        4.6        554,619   

Banks

        3.9        472,355   

Water

        3.6        439,395   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

        3.6        433,905   

Computers

        3.5        425,133   

Retail

        3.4        417,141   

Healthcare-Services

        3.4        414,384   

Healthcare-Products

        3.0        364,664   

Electronics

        3.0        358,974   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

        2.7        326,697   

Gas

        2.7        322,567   

Semiconductors

        2.1        255,800   

Office Furnishings

        1.9        235,455   

Investment Companies

        1.9        230,523   

Machinery-Diversified

        1.8        221,940   

Transportation

        1.8        221,360   

Telecommunications

        1.8        213,036   

Internet

        1.7        211,663   

Household Products/Wares

        1.7        205,889   

Mining

        1.6        199,165   

Auto Parts & Equipment

        1.2        150,776   

Forest Products & Paper

        1.0        120,645   

Savings & Loans

        1.0        118,274   

Textiles

        1.0        115,551   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

        0.9        109,473   

Apparel

        0.9        109,326   

Software

        0.9        109,300   

Real Estate

        0.9        108,264   

Entertainment

        0.9        106,528   

Engineering & Construction

        0.8        100,860   

Home Furnishings

        0.8        97,692   

Airlines

        0.8        96,768   

Pharmaceuticals

        0.8        96,236   

Distribution/Wholesale

        0.8        91,560   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

        10.0        1,209,570   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        100.0   $   12,130,458   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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

 

25


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2016

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 90.0%

  

Airlines — 0.8%

  

Allegiant Travel Co.

     700         $ 96,768   
     

 

 

 
        96,768   
     

 

 

 

Apparel — 0.9%

  

Unifi, Inc.*

     4,200           109,326   
     

 

 

 
        109,326   
     

 

 

 

Auto Parts & Equipment — 1.2%

  

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

     4,700           150,776   
     

 

 

 
        150,776   
     

 

 

 

Banks — 3.9%

  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     2,900           106,894   

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     92           2,473   

First Busey Corp.

     4,900           114,415   

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     2,300           96,807   

Preferred Bank Los Angeles CA

     2,600           91,130   

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

     1,800           57,438   

Univest Corp of Pennsylvania

     137           3,198   
     

 

 

 
              472,355   
     

 

 

 

Chemicals — 5.6%

  

Aceto Corp.

     4,900           98,931   

Calgon Carbon Corp.

     6,800           98,600   

Innospec, Inc.

     2,100           124,488   

Quaker Chemical Corp.

     1,200           120,000   

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     1,500           109,845   

Stepan Co.

     1,800           126,468   
     

 

 

 
        678,332   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 5.7%

  

CBIZ, Inc.*

     10,000           113,100   

Deluxe Corp.

     43           2,931   

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     2,700           108,999   

INC Research Holdings, Inc.*

     2,300           100,349   

Matthews International Corp.

     2,000           123,020   

McGrath RentCorp.

     3,800           121,486   

Viad Corp.

     3,400           121,584   
     

 

 

 
        691,469   
     

 

 

 

Computers — 3.5%

  

Convergys Corp.

     3,700           110,371   

MTS Systems Corp.

     2,100           104,475   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

     3,900           110,565   

WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR*

     3,400           99,722   
     

 

 

 
        425,133   
     

 

 

 

Distribution/Wholesale — 0.8%

  

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

     2,400           91,560   
     

 

 

 
        91,560   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Electric — 7.7%

  

ALLETE, Inc.

     1,800         $ 106,740   

Avista Corp.

     2,500           101,550   

El Paso Electric Co.

     2,300           105,087   

MGE Energy, Inc.

     2,000           109,880   

NorthWestern Corp.

     1,800           104,076   

Otter Tail Corp.

     3,500           119,840   

PNM Resources, Inc.

     3,100           98,549   

Spark Energy, Inc., Class A

     3,400           98,566   

Unitil Corp.

     2,398           94,817   
     

 

 

 
              939,105   
     

 

 

 

Electronics — 3.0%

  

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.*

     5,100           123,012   

Orbotech Ltd.*

     4,100           117,178   

Tech Data Corp.*

     1,600           118,784   
     

 

 

 
        358,974   
     

 

 

 

Engineering & Construction — 0.8%

  

Exponent, Inc.

     2,000           100,860   
     

 

 

 
        100,860   
     

 

 

 

Entertainment — 0.9%

  

International Speedway Corp., Class A

     3,200           106,528   
     

 

 

 
        106,528   
     

 

 

 

Food — 4.6%

  

B&G Foods, Inc.

     2,400           113,952   

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

     2,100           96,474   

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

     2,000           116,340   

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

     1,000           122,000   

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     1,100           105,853   
     

 

 

 
        554,619   
     

 

 

 

Forest Products & Paper — 1.0%

  

Neenah Paper, Inc.

     1,500           120,645   
     

 

 

 
        120,645   
     

 

 

 

Gas — 2.7%

  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

     1,700           108,205   

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

     1,800           107,514   

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

     3,600           106,848   
     

 

 

 
        322,567   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 3.0%

  

Analogic Corp.

     1,300           115,700   

ICU Medical, Inc.*

     1,000           124,770   

Masimo Corp.*

     2,100           124,194   
     

 

 

 
        364,664   
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

26


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Healthcare-Services — 3.4%

  

Chemed Corp.

     800         $ 107,944   

Ensign Group, Inc., (The)

     5,000           93,950   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc.*

     2,400           99,000   

US Physical Therapy, Inc.

     1,800           113,490   
     

 

 

 
                414,384   
     

 

 

 

Home Furnishings — 0.8%

  

Hooker Furniture Corp.

     4,200           97,692   
     

 

 

 
        97,692   
     

 

 

 

Household Products/Wares — 1.7%

  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

     1,100           99,374   

WD-40 Co.

     900           106,515   
     

 

 

 
        205,889   
     

 

 

 

Insurance — 4.6%

  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

     1,980           112,345   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

     2,200           101,112   

Enstar Group Ltd.*

     700           116,613   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

     8,200           113,242   

Navigators Group, Inc., (The)

     1,200           112,752   
     

 

 

 
        556,064   
     

 

 

 

Internet — 1.7%

  

ePlus, Inc.*

     1,300           117,663   

FTD Cos, Inc.*

     4,000           94,000   
     

 

 

 
        211,663   
     

 

 

 

Investment Companies — 1.9%

  

Compass Diversified Holdings L.P.†

     6,500           112,125   

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

     6,345           118,398   
     

 

 

 
        230,523   
     

 

 

 

Machinery-Diversified — 1.8%

  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     2,300           109,296   

Kadant, Inc.

     2,100           112,644   
     

 

 

 
        221,940   
     

 

 

 

Metal Fabricate/Hardware — 0.9%

  

Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc.

     3,900           109,473   
     

 

 

 
        109,473   
     

 

 

 

Mining — 1.6%

  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

     1,300           96,889   

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

     1,200           102,276   
     

 

 

 
        199,165   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 2.7%

  

Azz, Inc.

     1,800         $ 119,574   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

     3,300           106,095   

Standex International Corp.

     1,200           101,028   
     

 

 

 
                326,697   
     

 

 

 

Office Furnishings — 1.9%

  

Herman Miller, Inc.

     3,300           119,031   

Knoll, Inc.

     4,400           116,424   
     

 

 

 
        235,455   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 0.8%

  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     2,800           96,236   
     

 

 

 
        96,236   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate — 0.9%

  

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A

     2,600           108,264   
     

 

 

 
        108,264   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 3.6%

  

LTC Properties, Inc.

     2,100           109,032   

Potlatch Corp.

     2,900           109,823   

Urban Edge Properties

     3,700           106,042   

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc.

     4,800           109,008   
     

 

 

 
        433,905   
     

 

 

 

Retail — 3.4%

  

Cheesecake Factory, Inc., (The)

     2,100           107,961   

PetMed Express, Inc.

     5,400           108,864   

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.*

     2,000           109,060   

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

     6,100           91,256   
     

 

 

 
        417,141   
     

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 1.0%

  

First Defiance Financial Corp.

     2,600           118,274   
     

 

 

 
        118,274   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 2.1%

  

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.

     2,400           119,328   

MKS Instruments, Inc.

     2,800           136,472   
     

 

 

 
        255,800   
     

 

 

 

Software — 0.9%

  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

     2,500           109,300   
     

 

 

 
        109,300   
     

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 1.8%

  

ATN International, Inc.

     1,400           91,476   

Plantronics, Inc.

     2,400           121,560   
     

 

 

 
        213,036   
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

27


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Textiles — 1.0%

  

UniFirst Corp.

     900         $ 115,551   
     

 

 

 
        115,551   
     

 

 

 

Transportation — 1.8%

  

Forward Air Corp.

     2,400           110,592   

Landstar System, Inc.

     1,600           110,768   
     

 

 

 
        221,360   
     

 

 

 

Water — 3.6%

  

American States Water Co.

     2,600           101,348   

California Water Service Group

     3,600           109,764   

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

     2,100           97,377   

Middlesex Water Co.

     85           2,836   

SJW Corp.

     3,000           128,070   
     

 

 

 
        439,395   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $10,206,849)

        10,920,888   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 90.0%
(Cost $10,206,849)

        10,920,888   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES - 10.0%

        1,209,570   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

      $     12,130,458   
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

Master Limited Partnerships

*

Non-income producing security.

ADR    American Depository Receipt

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

 

28


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2016

 

     Summit Global Investments
U.S. Low Volatility

Equity Fund
   Summit Global Investments
Small Cap Low Volatility
Fund

ASSETS

         

Investments, at value (Cost $105,562,063 and $10,206,849, respectively)

     $ 118,782,206        $ 10,920,888  

Cash

       6,888,502          1,192,480  

Receivables for:

         

Capital shares sold

       220,143          33,583  

Dividends

       285,211          13,177  

Receivable from Investment Adviser (See Note 2)

                35,426  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

       31,026          31,788  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

       126,207,088          12,227,342  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Payables for:

         

Capital shares redeemed

       298,387          46,802  

Advisory fees

       48,788           

Audit fees

       27,428          18,500  

Administration and accounting services fees

       23,166          13,873  

Transfer agent fees

       20,674          13,037  

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

       18,077          4,672  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       436,520          96,884  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 125,770,568        $ 12,130,458  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

         

Par value.

     $            8,561        $          1,120  

Paid-in capital

       110,582,238          11,386,171  

Undistributed net investment income

       645,723          29,128  

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

       1,313,903           

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

       13,220,143          714,039  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 125,770,568        $ 12,130,458  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

29


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

     Summit Global Investments
U.S. Low Volatility
Equity Fund
   Summit Global Investments
Small Cap Low Volatility
Fund

CLASS A SHARES:

         

Net Assets applicable to Class A Shares

     $ 19,288,496        $  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

       1,314,469           
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share

     $ 14.67        $  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (100/94.75 of $14.67)

     $ 15.48        $  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

CLASS C SHARES:

         

Net Assets applicable to Class C Shares

     $ 372,527        $ 25,782  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

       25,670          2,388  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

     $ 14.51        $ 10.80  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES:

         

Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares

     $ 106,109,545        $ 10,094,666  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

       7,221,327          931,977  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

     $ 14.69        $ 10.83  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

RETAIL SHARES:

         

Net Assets applicable to Retail Shares

     $        $ 2,010,010  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

                185,525  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

     $        $ 10.83  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

30


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

Statements of Operations

For the Year/Period Ended August 31, 2016

 

     Summit Global Investments
U.S. Low Volatility
Equity Fund
  Summit Global Investments
Small Cap Low Volatility
Fund(1)

INVESTMENT INCOME

        

Dividends and interest

     $ 2,355,566       $ 59,618  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

       2,355,566         59,618  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Advisory fees (Note 2)

       670,394         32,308  

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

       117,174         31,643  

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

       104,182         32,105  

Registration and filing fees

       42,882         22,322  

Legal fees

       32,322         1,199  

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

       29,695         2,101  

Audit fees

       27,501         18,500  

Distribution fees (Class A Shares) (Note 2)

       20,285          

Directors’ and officers’ fees

       30,764         1,201  

Custodian fees (Note 2)

       16,601         5,563  

Distribution fees (Class C Shares) (Note 2)

       839         76  

Distribution fees (Retail Shares) (Note 2)

               1,359  

Other expenses

       17,993         2,763  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursments

       1,110,632         151,140  

Less: waivers and reimbursments (Note 2)

       (151,284 )       (108,075 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursments

       959,348         43,065  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

       1,396,218         16,553  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENTS

        

Net realized gain from:

        

Investments

       1,776,859          

Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on:

        

Investments

       9,203,615         714,039  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

       10,980,474         714,039  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

     $ 12,376,692       $ 730,592  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on March 31, 2016.

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

 

31


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2016
  For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2015

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income

     $ 1,396,218       $ 1,006,474  

Net realized gain from investments

       1,776,859         3,435,300  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       9,203,615         (1,560,314 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       12,376,692         2,881,460  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

        

Net investment income

        

Class A Shares

       (7,658 )        

Class I Shares

       (1,139,884 )       (764,753 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total net investment income

       (1,147,542 )       (764,753 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized gains

        

Class A Shares

       (28,208 )        

Class I Shares

       (4,094,120 )       (1,984,239 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total net realized gains

       (4,122,328 )       (1,984,239 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (5,269,870 )       (2,748,992 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS DERIVED FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Class A Shares

        

Proceeds from shares sold

       19,363,190          

Reinvestment of distributions

       35,866          

Shares redeemed

       (1,140,074 )        

Redemption fees

       1,780          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class A Shares

       18,260,762          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares

        

Proceeds from shares sold

       375,044          

Shares redeemed

       (5,228 )        

Redemption fees

       19          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class C Shares

       369,835          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class I Shares

        

Proceeds from shares sold

       42,888,293         23,177,135  

Reinvestment of distributions

       5,087,374         2,688,722  

Shares redeemed

       (20,808,046 )       (13,416,205 )

Redemption fees

       15,629         1,492  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class I Shares

       27,183,250         12,451,144  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

       45,813,847         12,451,144  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

       52,920,669         12,583,612  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

        

Beginning of year

       72,849,899         60,266,287  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

     $ 125,770,568       $ 72,849,899  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

     $ 645,723       $ 700,661  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

32


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2016
  For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2015

INCREASE IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Class A Shares

        

Shares sold.

       1,390,678          

Shares reinvested

       2,601          

Shares redeemed

       (78,810 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class A Shares

       1,314,469          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares

        

Shares sold.

       26,038          

Shares redeemed

       (368 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class C Shares

       25,670          
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class I Shares

        

Shares sold.

       3,027,570         1,648,561  

Shares reinvested

       368,917         198,723  

Shares redeemed

       (1,461,643 )       (954,075 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Class I Shares

       1,934,844         893,209  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding derived from share transactions

             3,274,983               893,209  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

33


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Period
Ended
August 31, 2016(1)

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment income

     $ 16,553  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       714,039  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       730,592  
    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class C Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

       24,330  

Redemption fees

       10  
    

 

 

 

Total from Class C Shares

       24,340  
    

 

 

 

Class I Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

       9,870,906  

Shares redeemed

       (397,353 )

Redemption fees

       4,233  
    

 

 

 

Total from Class I Shares.

       9,477,786  
    

 

 

 

Retail Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

       1,994,390  

Shares redeemed

       (97,419 )

Redemption fees

       769  
    

 

 

 

Total from Retail Shares.

       1,897,740  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

       11,399,866  
    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

       12,130,458  
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

    

Beginning of period

        
    

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 12,130,458  
    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of period

     $ 29,128  
    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on March 31, 2016.

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

 

34


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

     For the Period
Ended
August 31, 2016(1)

INCREASE IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class C Shares

    

Shares sold

       2,388  
    

 

 

 

Total from Class C Shares

       2,388  
    

 

 

 

Class I Shares

    

Shares sold

       969,650  

Shares redeemed

       (37,673 )
    

 

 

 

Total from Class I Shares.

       931,977  
    

 

 

 

Retail Shares

    

Shares sold

       194,884  

Shares redeemed

       (9,359 )
    

 

 

 

Total from Retail Shares.

       185,525  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding derived from share transactions

             1,119,890  
    

 

 

 
(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on March 31, 2016.

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

 

35


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class A Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Class A Shares
     For the
Period
October 29,
2015(1)
to August 31,
2016

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 14.69  
    

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.79  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.93  
    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

       (0.20 )

Net realized gains

       (0.75 )
    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (0.95 )
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 14.67  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       6.74 %(5)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 19,288  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       1.23 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       1.38 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       1.15 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

       41 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any. Total Investment Return does not reflect Sales Charge.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.
(7) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire year.

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

 

36


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Class C Shares
     For the
Period
December 31,
2015(1)

to August 31,
2016

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 13.57  
    

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.91  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.94  
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 14.51  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       6.93 %(5)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 373  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       1.99 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       2.16 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       0.32 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

       41 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.
(7) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire year.

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

 

37


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class I Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Class I Shares
     For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
  For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015
  For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2014
  For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2013
  For the
Period
February 29,
2012(1)

to August 31,
2012

Per Share Operating Performance

                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 13.78       $ 13.72       $ 11.85       $ 10.18       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.21         0.21         0.16         0.15         0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       1.66         0.44         2.01         1.64         0.10  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       1.87         0.65         2.17         1.79         0.18  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

                    

Net investment income

       (0.21 )       (0.16 )       (0.08 )       (0.05 )        

Net realized gains

       (0.75 )       (0.43 )       (0.22 )       (0.07 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (0.96 )       (0.59 )       (0.30 )       (0.12 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 14.69       $ 13.78       $ 13.72       $ 11.85       $ 10.18  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       13.99 %       4.82 %       18.57 %       17.78 %       1.80 %(5)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

                    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 106,110       $ 72,850       $ 60,266       $ 25,638       $ 3,602  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

       0.98 %       0.98 %       0.98 %       0.98 %       0.98 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

       1.14 %       1.20 %       1.35 %       2.74 %       20.03 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       1.49 %       1.47 %       1.25 %       1.34 %       1.64 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate.

       41 %       42 %       110 %       81 %       95 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

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

 

38


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Class C Shares
     For the
Period
March 31,
2016(1)
to August 31,
2016

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 10.00  
    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

       (0.02 )

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.82  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.80  
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 10.80  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       8.00 %(5)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 26  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       2.23 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       5.43 %(6)

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

       (0.47 )%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

       0.01 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

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

 

39


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class I Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Class I Shares
     For the
Period
March 31,
2016(1)
to August 31,
2016

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 10.00  
    

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.81  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.83  
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 10.83  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       8.30 %(5)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 10,095  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       1.23 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       4.43 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       0.53 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

       0.01 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

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

 

40


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Retail Shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Retail Shares
     For the
Period
March 31,
2016(1)
to August 31,
2016

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 10.00  
    

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.82  
    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

       0.83  
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 10.83  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       8.30 %(5)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

     $ 2,010  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       1.48 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       4.68 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       0.28 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

       0.01 %(5)

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

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

 

41


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2016

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the Investment Company Act, and for other purposes, and, a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has twenty-four active investment portfolios, including the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund, which commenced investment operations on February 29, 2012 and March 31, 2016, respectively. As of August 31, 2016, the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund offers three Classes of Shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares; the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund offers three Classes of Shares: Retail Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 83.423 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and sixty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

Portfolio Valuation – Each Funds’ net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Funds are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Investments in other open-end investment companies, if any, are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Fair Value Measurements – The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

• 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, as of August 31, 2016, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

 

42


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

     Total Value at
August 31,

2016
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Summit Global Investments

           

U.S Low Volatility Equity Fund

           

Investments in Securities*

   $ 118,782,206       $ 118,782,206       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Summit Global Investments

           

Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

           

Investments in Securities*

   $ 10,920,888       $ 10,920,888       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  *

Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Funds to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Funds to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Funds had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Funds had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Funds.

Use of Estimates — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Funds record security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification

 

43


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Funds’ investment income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Funds.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to qualify or continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Redemption/Exchange Fees — The Funds impose a redemption/exchange fee of 1.50% on redemptions/exchanges of shares held less than 60 days. The fees are reflected on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Funds reserve the right to modify or eliminate the redemption/exchange fees or waivers at any time.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) serves as each Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to recieve 0.70% of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund’s average net assets and 0.95% of the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and paid monthly.

For the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, Summit has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23%, 1.23%, 0.98% and 1.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares, Retail Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2016 without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. For the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund, Summit has contractually agreed to waive management fees

 

44


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23%, 1.48% and 2.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares, Retail Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2017 without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed the limits stated above as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. If at any time the Funds’ total annual fund operating expenses for a year are less than the limits stated above, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Funds of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the respective Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. There were no fees recouped by the Adviser during the year ended August 31, 2016.

For the year ended August 31, 2016, advisory fees and waivers/reimbursements of advisory fees were as follows:

 

     Gross Advisory Fees    Waivers   Reimbursements   Net Advisory Fees

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

     $ 670,394        $ (151,284 )          $       $ 519,110  

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

       32,308          (32,308 )            (75,767 )       (75,767 )

 

As of August 31, 2016, the Funds had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
     August 31,
2017
     August 31,
2018
     August 31,
2019
 

Summit Global Investments U.S.
Low Volatility Equity Fund

   $ 170,961       $ 147,547       $ 151,284   

Summit Global Investments Small Cap
Low Volatility Fund

                     108,075   

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing these transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds, shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

The Board of Directors has approved a Distribution Agreement and adopted Plans of Distribution for Class A Shares, Retail Shares and Class C Shares (the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plans, the Distributor

 

45


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

is entitled to receive from each Fund a distribution fee with respect to Class A Shares, Retail Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares and Retail Shares, and of up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plans is agreed upon by the Company’s Board of Directors and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment in Class A Shares, Retail Shares and Class C Shares and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2016 was $13,222 for the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and $213 for the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund. Until August 16, 2016, certain employees of BNY Mellon served as an officer of the Company. They were not compensated by the Fund or the Company. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and, effective January 1, 2016, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. Effective August 16, 2016, RBB hired a Treasurer and Secretary who was compensated for services provided For the year ended August 31, 2016, the Funds paid officer fees of $18,869 for the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and $535 for the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund.

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2016, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Funds were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

   $   76,879,893       $   37,754,466   

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

     10,209,251           

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2016, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Fund were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility
Equity Fund

   $ 105,588,623       $ 14,397,069       $ (1,203,486   $ 13,193,583   

 

46


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2016

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low
Volatility Fund

     10,206,849         839,373         (125,334     714,039   

Distributions to shareholders, if any, from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2016, primarily attributable to the reclassification of short term gains in the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and disallowed expenses in the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund:

 

     Undistributed
Net Investments
Income
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
   Paid-In
Capital

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility
Equity Fund

     $ (303,614 )     $ 303,614        $  

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low
Volatility Fund

     $    12,575       $           —        $ (12,575 )

As of August 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

         Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Gains
   Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Summit Global InvestmentsU.S.
Low Volatility Equity Fund

     $ 645,376        $ 1,340,810        $ 13,193,583  
 

Summit Global Investments Small
Cap Low Volatility Fund

       29,128                   714,039  

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended August 31, 2016 and August 31, 2015, was as follows:

 

         Year    Ordinary
Income
   Long-Term
Gain
   Total
 

Summit Global InvestmentsU.S.
Low Volatility Equity Fund

       2016        $ 3,040,904        $ 2,228,966        $ 5,269,870  
         2015        $ 1,969,231        $ 779,761        $ 2,748,992  
 

Summit Global Investments Small
Cap Low Volatility Fund

       2016                             

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

 

47


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2016

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2016, no Fund had any capital loss carryforwards.

6. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was the following subsequent event:

Effective October 3, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the fund administrator and fund accounting agent to the Funds.

Effective November 21, 2016, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will replace BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Funds (“Transfer Agent”). U.S. Bank, N.A., will replace The Bank of New York Mellon as the custodian to the Funds.

 

48


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund (two of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund (two of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2016, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and their financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2016

 

49


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

Certain tax information is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2016. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the tax character of distributions paid by the Fund’s were as follows:

 

     Ordinary Income
Dividend
   Long-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

       $3,040,904          $2,228,966  

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

                 

The Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund designates 74.70% and the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund designates 0.00% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 74.70% for the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and 0.00% for the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 74.23% for the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and 0.00% for the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 0.00% for the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and 0.00% for the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund.

The Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund designates 100% and Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund designates 0% of the ordinary income distributions as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004.

Because the Funds’ fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2016. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2017.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Funds, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

50


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (855) 744-8500 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors (the “Board”), including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Summit and the Company (for this section only, the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (for this section only, the “Fund”) at a meeting of the Board held on May 4-5, 2016 (for this section only, the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Summit with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Summit with respect to the Fund, the Board took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Summit’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Summit’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Summit’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Summit’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Summit’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Summit’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Summit’s compliance procedures; (viii) Summit’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper Group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Summit. The Directors concluded that Summit had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that Summit’s services had been acceptable.

 

51


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Other Information (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Summit. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors noted that the Fund’s investment performance outperformed its primary benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for the one-, three-, year-to-date and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016. The Directors also noted that the Fund ranked 1st in its Lipper Group and within the 1st quintile in its Lipper performance universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the advisory fees of the Fund, before and after waivers, were lower than the peer group median and the actual total expenses of the Fund were slightly above the median of the peer group. In addition, the Directors noted that Summit has contractually agreed to limit total annual operating expenses to 0.98% for Class I Shares, 1.23% for Class A Shares or Retail Shares, and 1.98 for Class C Shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets through at least December 31, 2016, and that Summit expects to continue these fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The Directors also considered Summit’s profitability and overall firm wide assets which totaled approximately $554 million as of March 31, 2016.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Summit’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2017.

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the approval of the investment advisory agreement between Summit and the Company (for this section only, the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund (for this section only, the “Fund”) at a meeting of the Board held on February 24, 2016 (for this section only, the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an initial term ending August 16, 2017. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by Summit with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Summit, with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Summit’s services to be provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Summit’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Summit’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Summit’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Summit’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Summit’s proposed advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Summit’s compliance procedures; (viii) Summit’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; and (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s proposed management fees and anticipated total expense ratio to those in the Fund’s respective Lipper Group.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by Summit. The Directors concluded that Summit had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund.

 

52


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the proposed Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees to be paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) was compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that Summit had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through at least the first twelve months of the Fund’s operations to limit total annual operating expenses to 1.23%, 1.48% and 2.23% for the Class I Shares, Retail Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, respectively.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by Summit, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved for an initial period ending August 16, 2017.

 

53


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Company Management

(Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (855) 744-8500.

 

           

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)  

Held  

with Company  

 

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of  

Portfolios in  

Fund Complex  

Overseen by  

Director*  

 

  

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5

Years

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 83

  

 

Director

 

 

1988 to present

 

 

From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).

 

 

24

  

 

AMDOCS
Limited
(service
provider to
telecommu-
nications
companies).

 

J. Richard Carnall

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 78

   Director   2002 to present  

Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.

 

  24    None

 

Gregory P. Chandler

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 49

  

 

Director

 

 

2012 to present

 

 

Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003- April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

 

24

  

 

Emtec, Inc.; FS
Investment
Corporation
(business
development
company); FS
Energy and
Power Fund
(business
development
company).

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 73

  

 

Director

 

 

2006 to present

 

 

Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.

 

 

24

  

 

Kalmar Pooled
Investment
Trust
(registered
investment
company);
Wilmington
Funds
(registered
investment
company); WT
Mutual Fund
(registered
investment
company) (until
March 2012);
Independence
Blue Cross;
Intricon Corp.
(producer of
medical
devices).

 

 

54


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

           

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)  

Held  

with Company  

   

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

 

  

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5

Years

 

 

Sam Lambroza

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 62

 

     Director      2016 to present  

Since 2010, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Tinsel Group of Companies (asset management).

 

  24      None   

Arnold M. Reichman

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 68

    
 
Chairman
Director
  
  
  2005 to present 1991 to present   Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC. (online beauty and health appointment booking service).   24     
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Independent
Trustee of EIP
Investment
Trust
(registered
investment
company).

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Robert A. Straniere

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 75

     Director      2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.   24     
 
 
 

 

Reich and
Tang Group
(asset
management).

 

  
  
  
  

 

           

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

  

Robert Sablowsky

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202  

Age: 78

     Director            1991 to present  

Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

  24      None   

 

55


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

           

Name, Address,

and Age

  

Position(s)  

Held  

with Company  

 

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

 

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

 

  

 

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

in the Past 5

Years

 

OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Age: 53

 

   President
Chief
Compliance
Officer
  2009 to present 2004 to present   Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   NA    N/A

James G. Shaw

615 E. Michigan St.   Milwaukee,
WI 53202

Age: 56

   Treasurer
and
Secretary
  2016 to present  

From 1995-2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

  NA    N/A

Robert Amweg

Vigilant Compliance, LLC
Getaway Corporate Center

Suite 216 223 Wilmington West
Chester Pike

Chadds Ford,
PA 19317

Age: 62

 

   Assistant
Treasurer
  2016 to present  

Since 2013, Compliance Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2012 Consulant to the financial services industry; from 2007 to 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Turner Investments, LP (register investment company).

 

  NA    N/A

Jesse Schmitting

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee,
WI 53202

Age: 34

 

   Assistant
Treasurer
  2016 to present  

Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2008-present).

 

  NA    N/A

Edward Paz

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee,
WI 53202

Age: 45

 

   Assistant
Secretary
  2016 to present  

Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (fund administrative services firm) (2007-present).

 

  NA    N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000 Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 57

 

   Assistant
Secretary
  1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   NA    N/A

 

1 

Each Director oversees twenty-four portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

2 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

3 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

56


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS    

WHAT DOES THE SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S AND SMALL CAP LOW
VOLATILITY EQUITY FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

 

Why?

 

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information may include:
    Social Security number
    account balances
    account transactions
    transaction history
    wire transfer instructions
    checking account information
    When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equity Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information      

Do the Summit Global

Investments U.S. and

Small Cap Low Volatility

Equity Funds Share?

 

 

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your

account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

      Yes  

No

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

      Yes  

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

      Yes  

No

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

 

      Yes  

No

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

      No  

We don’t share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

      No  

We don’t share

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

      No  

We don’t share

 

 

57


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 1-888-251-4847 or go to www.summitglobalinvestments.com

 

 

What we do

 

    

How do the Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equity Funds protect my personal information?

 

  

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

How do the Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equiy Funds collect my personal information?

  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

open an account

provide account information

give us your contact information

make a wire transfer

tell us where to send the money

    

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

affiliates from using your information to market to you

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions

 

    

 

Affiliates

  

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Our affiliates include Summit Global Investments, LLC, the investment adviser to the Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equity Funds.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

  

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equity Funds doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

 

 

Joint marketing

  

 

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

Summit Global Investments U.S. and Small Cap Low Volatility Equity Funds may share your information with other financial institutions with whom they have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investments products which may be of interest to you. We do not currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions.

 

 

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Investment Adviser

Summit Global Investments, LLC

620 South Main Street

Bountiful, UT 84010

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

SUM-AR16


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a)

The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

  (c)

There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

  (d)

The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. Julian A. Brodsky, Gregory P. Chandler and Nicholas A. Giordano are the registrant’s audit committee financial experts and each of them is “independent.”

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Audit Fees

 

  (a)

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2016

 

  

Fiscal Year 2015

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$225,956

 

  

$236,874

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$414,325

 

  

$323,425

 

BBD LLP

 

  

$15,500

 

  

$15,000

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$655,781

 

  

$575,299

 


Audit-Related Fees

 

  (b)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $25,000 for 2016 and $0 for 2015. Professional Services rendered with the agreed upon procedures for the RBB Fund, Inc.

Tax Fees

 

  (c)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2016

 

  

Fiscal Year 2015

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$40,500

 

  

$2,000

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$39,666

 

  

$38,291

 

BBD LLP

 

  

$2,000

 

  

$0

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$82,166

 

  

$40,291

 

These fees were for the review of excise tax returns and passive foreign investment company (PFICs) analysis.

All Other Fees

 

  (d)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2016 and $0 for 2015.

 

  (e)(1)

Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

Pre-Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services

 

  1.

Pre-Approval Requirements of the Company. The Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permissible non-audit services (e.g., tax services) to be provided to the Company by the Auditor, including the fees associated with those services.


  2.

Pre-Approval Requirements of Affiliates. Additionally, the Committee shall pre-approve any engagement of the Auditor to provide non-audit services to an investment adviser of a Portfolio or to any affiliate of such investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Company, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Company.

 

  3.

Delegation. The Committee may delegate to the Chairman of the Committee, or if the Chairman is not available, one or more of its members, the authority to grant pre-approvals. The decisions of any member to whom authority is delegated shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

  4.

Prohibited Services. The Committee shall confirm with the Auditor that the Auditor is not performing contemporaneously with the Company’s audit any prohibited non-audit services for the Company, any investment adviser of a Portfolio, or any affiliates of the Company or such investment advisers. The Auditor is responsible for informing the Committee of whether it believes that a particular service is permissible or prohibited pursuant to applicable regulations and standards.

 

  (e)(2)

The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

 

  (b)

 100%

 

  (c)

 100%

 

  (d)

 Not Applicable

 

  (f)

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.

 

  (g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2016

 

  

Fiscal Year 2015

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

$0

 

  

$41,600

 

Ernst & Young LLP

  

$25,000

 

  

$129,395

 

BBD LLP

  

$0

 

  

$0

 

Aggregate Fees

  

$25,000

 

  

$170,995

 


  (h)

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a) Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

 

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

Not applicable.

 

 

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

Not applicable.

 

 

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

Not applicable.

 

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.


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”) (17 CFR 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in 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 registrant’s 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)

Senior Officer Code of Ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

  (a)(2)

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (b)

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

(12.other) Not applicable.


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 RBB Fund, Inc.                                                                                              

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

  /s/ Salvatore Faia

  
 

      Salvatore Faia, President

  
 

      (principal executive officer)

  

Date     10/31/2016                                                                                                                       

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/ Salvatore Faia

  
 

      Salvatore Faia, President

  
 

      (principal executive officer)

  

Date     10/31/2016                                                                                                                       

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

  /s/ James Shaw

  
 

      James Shaw, Treasurer

  
 

      (principal financial officer)

  

Date     10/31/2016                                                                                                                       

 

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