N-CSRS 1 fp0050864_ncsrs.htm fp0049686_INXS

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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 811-07242  

 

The Cutler Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

525 Bigham Knoll      Jacksonville, Oregon 97530
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Matthew C. Patten

 

Cutler Investment Counsel, LLC      525 Bigham Knoll      Jacksonville, Oregon 97530
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (541) 770-9000  

 

Date of fiscal year end: June 30  
     
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2019  

 

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 the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

Item 1.Reports to Stockholders.

 

The

Cutler

Trust

 

 

CUTLER EQUITY FUND

 

CUTLER FIXED INCOME FUND

 

CUTLER EMERGING MARKETS FUND

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

December 31, 2019

 

(Unaudited)

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically by contacting the Funds at 1-800-228-8537 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, by contacting your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund at 1-800-228-8537. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this document to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

Letter to Shareholders

2

Performance Information

3

Portfolio Information

7

Schedules of Investments

10

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

21

Statements of Operations

22

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

23

Financial Highlights

26

Notes to Financial Statements

29

About Your Funds’ Expenses

40

Additional Information

42

 

1

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Letter to Shareholders

 

 

To the Cutler Trust Shareholders:

 

Enclosed is the Semi-Annual Report for the Cutler Trust for the six months ended December 31, 2019. Please take a few minutes to review this information, which includes performance, holdings, and other important information regarding your investment.

 

Markets were very much in harmony this past year, with nearly all asset classes in positive territory. This was a welcome reprieve from the sell-off experienced at the end of 2018. After the S&P 500 dropped nearly 20% at the end of 2018, the Federal Reserve announced a change from a hawkish tightening cycle to a more accommodative approach. The influx of liquidity from the subsequent rate cuts, coming immediately after a period of “Quantitative Tightening,” led to a multitude of positive effects for domestic investors. Equities rallied. Bond yields dropped. Global growth appears to have picked up.

 

As 2020 began, a great deal of optimism had been created from a trade truce with China and markets have continued last year’s rally. However, recent news of the coronavirus has investors on edge. Will the restrictions China has imposed domestically curb global growth? Will U.S. elections impact investor sentiment here at home? These are important developments to monitor as the year progresses. U.S. equities are richly valued today and sustained earnings growth will be important to support these current market levels.

 

While we feel that U.S. markets are fully valued, we continue to apply Cutler’s dividend philosophy within the Cutler Equity Fund to guide us to favorable opportunities. A strong dividend history remains the core tenet of the strategy. Our value bias means that we are not looking for the fastest growing companies, but instead we are looking for stability and predictability of growth.

 

Thank you for your continued confidence in Cutler. We continue to provide periodic market updates and commentary on our website www.cutler.com. There you can also find sign-up options for our newsletter or periodic webinars. And as always, feel free to call us anytime with questions about your investments.

 

Sincerely,

 

Erich Patten

Matthew Patten

Chief Investment Officer

Chief Executive Officer

 

Before investing you should carefully consider the Cutler Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by calling 1-800-228-8537. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

 

The views in this report were those of the Cutler Funds’ investment adviser as of December 31, 2019 and may not reflect its views on the date this report is first published or anytime thereafter. These views are intended to assist shareholders in understanding their investment in the Cutler Funds and do not constitute investment advice.

 

2

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Performance Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in
Cutler Equity Fund and S&P 500 Index

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for periods ended December 31, 2019)

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

 

Cutler Equity Fund(a)

24.69%

8.98%

11.65%

 

S&P 500 Index(b)

31.49%

11.70%

13.56%

 
           

(a)

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(b)

The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization weighted index that is widely used as a barometer of U.S. stock market performance. The index is unmanaged and shown for illustration purposes only. An investor cannot invest in an index and its returns are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment.

 

 

3

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Performance Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in
Cutler Fixed Income Fund, Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index and Bloomberg Barclays Short-Term U.S. Government Index

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for periods ended December 31, 2019)

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund(a)

4.44%

0.86%

1.91%

 

Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate U.S. Government/ Credit Index(b)

6.80%

2.57%

3.05%

 

Bloomberg Barclays Short-Term U.S. Government Index(b)

3.59%

1.41%

1.25%

 
           

(a)

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(b)

The Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index and the Bloomberg Barclays Short-Term U.S. Government Index cover intermediate and short-term, respectively, fixed income securities of the U.S government and publicly-issued U.S. corporate and foreign debentures and secured notes that meet specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements. The indices are unmanaged and shown for illustration purposes only. An investor cannot invest in an index and its returns are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment.

 

 

4

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Performance Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in
Cutler Emerging Markets Fund, S&P Emerging BMI Total Return Index*
and MSCI Emerging Markets Index

 

 

*

Effective December 31, 2018, the Fund changed its benchmark from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index to the S&P Emerging BMI Total Return Index. This benchmark change was made because the S&P Emerging BMI Total Return Index more precisely reflects the market in which the Fund invests.

 

5

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Performance Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for periods ended December 31, 2019)

 

1 Year

3 Years

Since
Inception(a)

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund(b)

9.38%

6.09%

0.12%

 

S&P Emerging BMI Total Return Index(c)

19.86%

12.02%

6.09%

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index(d)

18.42%

11.57%

5.57%

 
           

(a)

The Fund commenced operations on July 1, 2015.

 

(b)

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(c)

The S&P Emerging BMI Total Return Index captures all companies domiciled in the emerging markets within the S&P Global BMI with a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least USD 100 million meeting 6- and 12-month median value traded requirements. The index is segmented by country/region, size (large, mid and small), style (value and growth), and GICS (sectors/industry groups). The index is unmanaged and shown for illustration purposes only. An investor cannot invest in an index and its returns are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment.

 

(d)

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 26 emerging markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. The index is unmanaged and shown for illustration purposes only. An investor cannot invest in an index and its returns are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment.

 

 

6

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Portfolio Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of Net Assets)

 

 

7

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Portfolio Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Asset Allocation (% of Net Assets)

 

 

8

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Portfolio Information
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Country Allocation (% of Net Assets)

 

 

9

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

COMMON STOCKS — 99.7%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Communication Services — 9.0%

               

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.9%

               

AT&T, Inc.

    98,403     $ 3,845,589  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    69,786       4,284,861  
              8,130,450  

Entertainment — 4.1%

               

Walt Disney Company (The)

    46,742       6,760,295  
                 

Consumer Discretionary — 8.5%

               

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.2%

               

McDonald’s Corporation

    34,655       6,848,175  
                 

Specialty Retail — 4.3%

               

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    32,575       7,113,728  
                 

Consumer Staples — 11.3%

               

Beverages — 2.8%

               

PepsiCo, Inc.

    33,995       4,646,097  
                 

Food & Staples Retailing — 5.5%

               

Kroger Company (The)

    113,971       3,304,019  

Walmart, Inc.

    49,177       5,844,195  
              9,148,214  

Household Products — 3.0%

               

Procter & Gamble Company (The)

    39,130       4,887,337  
                 

Energy — 5.6%

               

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.6%

               

Schlumberger Ltd.

    25,000       1,005,000  
                 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.0%

               

Chevron Corporation

    40,070       4,828,836  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    49,563       3,458,506  
              8,287,342  

Financials — 16.3%

               

Banks — 5.6%

               

M&T Bank Corporation

    26,440       4,488,190  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    29,500       4,709,085  
              9,197,275  

Capital Markets — 6.1%

               

BlackRock, Inc.

    12,284       6,175,167  

Northern Trust Corporation

    36,500       3,877,760  
              10,052,927  

 

 

10

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

COMMON STOCKS — 99.7% (Continued)

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Financials — 16.3% (Continued)

               

Insurance — 4.6%

               

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

    39,500     $ 4,400,695  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    34,000       3,187,160  
              7,587,855  

Health Care — 17.1%

               

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 7.4%

               

Becton, Dickinson and Company

    26,025       7,078,019  

Medtronic plc

    45,500       5,161,975  
              12,239,994  

Pharmaceuticals — 9.7%

               

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

    88,363       5,672,021  

Johnson & Johnson

    33,670       4,911,443  

Merck & Company, Inc.

    58,290       5,301,476  
              15,884,940  

Industrials — 15.1%

               

Aerospace & Defense — 2.6%

               

United Technologies Corporation

    28,510       4,269,657  
                 

Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.7%

               

Republic Services, Inc.

    49,000       4,391,870  
                 

Machinery — 7.6%

               

Caterpillar, Inc.

    41,780       6,170,070  

Deere & Company

    37,194       6,444,233  
              12,614,303  

Road & Rail — 2.2%

               

Union Pacific Corporation

    20,000       3,615,800  
                 

Information Technology — 12.7%

               

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 7.6%

               

Intel Corporation

    102,465       6,132,530  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    49,865       6,397,181  
              12,529,711  

Software — 5.1%

               

Microsoft Corporation

    53,425       8,425,122  

 

 

11

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

COMMON STOCKS — 99.7% (Continued)

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Materials1.6%

               

Chemicals — 1.6%

               

Dow, Inc.

    22,291     $ 1,219,987  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

    23,291       1,495,282  
              2,715,269  

Utilities — 2.5%

               

Multi-Utilities — 2.5%

               

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    49,243       4,078,305  
                 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $93,955,976)

          $ 164,429,666  

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.3%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Invesco STIT Government & Agency Portfolio - Institutional Class, 1.51% (a) (Cost $509,014)

    509,014     $ 509,014  
                 

Total Investments at Value — 100.0% (Cost $94,464,990)

          $ 164,938,680  
                 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.0% (b)

            22,311  
                 

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 164,960,991  

 

(a)

The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2019.

(b)

Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

12

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

U.S. TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS — 33.9%

 

Coupon

   

Maturity

   

Par Value

   

Value

 

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.875 %     12/15/20     $ 250,000     $ 250,547  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.375 %     03/15/21       250,000       252,178  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.125 %     06/30/22       1,000,000       1,013,203  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.625 %     02/15/26       700,000       693,847  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.625 %     05/15/26       650,000       643,424  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000 %     11/15/26       500,000       505,801  

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $3,282,627)

  $ 3,359,000  

 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY
OBLIGATIONS — 43.6%

 

Coupon

   

Maturity

   

Par Value

   

Value

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank — 16.8%

                               

Federal Farm Credit Bank

    2.750 %     06/26/23     $ 500,000     $ 518,822  

Federal Farm Credit Bank

    2.040 %     02/10/25       100,000       99,878  

Federal Farm Credit Bank

    2.370 %     05/01/25       300,000       308,463  

Federal Farm Credit Bank

    2.240 %     07/06/27       500,000       492,081  

Federal Farm Credit Bank

    2.500 %     07/12/27       250,000       247,374  
                              1,666,618  

Federal Home Loan Bank — 20.1%

                               

Federal Home Loan Bank

    1.750 %     10/27/22       500,000       499,741  

Federal Home Loan Bank

    2.125 %     03/10/23       150,000       152,539  

Federal Home Loan Bank

    1.500 %     07/27/28       1,000,000       992,451  

Federal Home Loan Bank

    2.570 %     10/06/31       345,000       345,000  
                              1,989,731  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 1.5%

                               

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

    1.750 %     10/27/23       150,000       149,929  
                                 

Private Export Funding Corporation — 3.7%

                               

Private Export Funding Corporation

    4.300 %     12/15/21       350,000       367,241  
                                 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — 1.5%

                               

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    4.130 %     08/01/25       150,000       151,927  
                                 

Total U.S. Government Agency Obligations (Cost $4,237,546)

  $ 4,325,446  

 

 

13

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES — 0.5%

 

Coupon

   

Maturity

   

Par Value

   

Value

 

Commercial — 0.0% (a)

                               

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, IO, Series 2005-C21, 144A

    0.000 %(b)     10/01/44     $ 57,826,605     $ 578  
                                 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — 0.3%

                               

FHLMC, Pool #J13584

    3.500 %     11/01/25       15,507       16,075  

FHLMC, Series 1963

    7.500 %     01/01/27       10,543       11,912  
                              27,987  

Federal National Mortgage Association — 0.2%

                               

FNMA, Pool #899237

    5.000 %     03/01/22       1,194       1,233  

FNMA, Series 2002-93

    6.500 %     03/01/32       14,689       16,953  
                              18,186  
         

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $42,498)

  $ 46,751  

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS — 18.4%

 

Coupon

   

Maturity

   

Par Value

   

Value

 

Consumer Discretionary — 3.2%

                               

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    4.000 %     05/15/25     $ 150,000     $ 160,483  

NVR, Inc.

    3.950 %     09/15/22       150,000       156,297  
                              316,780  

Consumer Staples — 1.6%

                               

Dollar General Corporation

    4.125 %     05/01/28       150,000       163,835  
                                 

Financials — 5.7%

                               

Citigroup, Inc.

    2.700 %     10/27/22       150,000       152,497  

Finial Holdings, Inc.

    7.125 %     10/15/23       250,000       287,005  

First American Financial Advisors, Inc.

    4.300 %     02/01/23       125,000       129,484  
                              568,986  

Health Care — 1.6%

                               

Cigna Corporation

    3.250 %     04/15/25       150,000       154,633  
                                 

Industrials — 3.1%

                               

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    6.000 %     03/01/27       150,000       153,562  

Textron, Inc. (3MO LIBOR +55)

    2.451 %(b)     11/10/20       150,000       150,006  
                              303,568  

Information Technology — 1.7%

                               

S&P Global, Inc.

    4.400 %     02/15/26       150,000       166,364  

 

 

14

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

CORPORATE
B
ONDS — 18.4% (Continued)

 

Coupon

   

Maturity

   

Par Value

   

Value

 

Materials — 1.5%

                               

Mosaic Company

    3.250 %     11/15/22     $ 150,000     $ 153,916  
         

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $1,756,029)

  $ 1,828,082  

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 3.3%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Invesco STIT Government & Agency Portfolio - Institutional Class, 1.51% (c) (Cost $330,380)

    330,380     $ 330,380  
                 

Total Investments at Value — 99.7% (Cost $9,649,080)

          $ 9,889,659  
                 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.3%

            32,969  
                 

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 9,922,628  

 

IO - Interest only strip. Par value shown is the notional value, not a true par value (Note 7).

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.

144A - Security was purchased in a transaction exempt from registration in compliance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of such securities is $578 as of December 31, 2019, representing 0.0%(a) of net assets.

(a)

Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%.

(b)

Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2019. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread (in basis points) are indicated parenthetically. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities, therefore, do not indicate a reference rate and spread.

(c)

The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2019.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

15

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

COMMON STOCKS — 69.9%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Brazil — 3.3%

               

Ambev S.A. - ADR

    32,010     $ 149,167  

Banco Bradesco S.A. - ADR

    20,782       185,999  

TIM Participacoes S.A. - ADR

    7,700       147,147  
              482,313  

Chile — 1.9%

               

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. (a)

    17,614       125,279  

Viña Concha y Toro S.A.

    79,500       149,692  
              274,971  

China — 2.9%

               

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation - ADR

    1,600       96,240  

PetroChina Company Ltd. - ADR

    4,176       210,178  

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Ltd. - ADR

    3,704       113,157  
              419,575  

Colombia — 1.1%

               

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana S.A.

    14,983       155,127  
                 

Hong Kong — 18.5%

               

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (b)

    41,000       188,129  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd. (b)

    60,000       208,283  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (b)

    59,000       229,778  

China Resources Beer Holdings Company Ltd. (b)

    104,000       575,278  

China Resources Land Ltd. (b)

    68,000       338,319  

CITIC Ltd. (b)

    107,000       142,813  

Hengan International Group Company Ltd. (b)

    39,000       277,797  

Lenovo Group Ltd. - ADR

    8,206       109,796  

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd. (b)

    69,000       132,829  

Shanghai Industrial Urban Development Group Ltd. (b)

    69,000       8,675  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. (b)

    148,500       207,752  

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corporation (b)

    148,000       252,594  
              2,672,043  

India — 1.7%

               

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR

    3,774       239,159  
                 

Indonesia — 3.9%

               

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk. (b)

    277,700       158,005  

Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk. (b)

    263,100       226,401  

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk. - ADR

    6,514       185,649  
              570,055  

 

 

16

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

COMMON STOCKS — 69.9% (Continued)

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Korea (Republic of) — 8.9%

               

AmorePacific Group (a)(b)

    710     $ 50,772  

DB Insurance Company Ltd. (a)(b)

    2,159       97,622  

Korea Gas Corporation (a)(b)

    3,880       126,910  

KT Corporation - ADR

    11,956       138,689  

LG Corporation (a)(b)

    3,275       208,881  

POSCO - ADR

    2,676       135,459  

Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. (b)

    9,400       453,404  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Company Ltd. (a)(b)

    370       77,864  
              1,289,601  

Malaysia — 4.7%

               

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (b)

    238,943       300,799  

Genting Berhad (b)

    84,200       124,531  

Malayan Banking Berhad (b)

    119,665       252,743  
              678,073  

Mexico — 2.8%

               

Américan Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. - Class L - ADR

    15,817       253,072  

Coca-Cola Femsa S.A.B. de C.V.

    23,837       144,732  
              397,804  

Netherlands — 0.6%

               

Prosus N.V. - ADR (a)

    6,285       93,647  
                 

Philippines — 2.4%

               

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (b)

    87,350       88,603  

Altus San Nicolas Corporation (a)(c)(d)

    4,407       423  

Robinsons Land Corporation

    228,364       124,116  

Universal Robina Corporation

    45,370       129,782  
              342,924  

South Africa — 4.2%

               

Liberty Holdings Ltd.

    16,865       133,243  

Naspers Ltd. - Class N - ADR

    6,285       204,640  

Sasol Ltd. - ADR

    4,502       97,289  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd. (b)

    10,000       89,945  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd. - ADR

    8,803       79,491  
              604,608  

Taiwan Province of China — 9.6%

               

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Company Ltd. (b)

    54,000       75,415  

Compal Electronics, Inc. (b)

    238,000       150,087  

CTCI Corporation (b)

    156,000       198,346  

Delta Electronics, Inc. (b)

    39,100       198,099  

Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd. (b)

    21,000       149,673  

President Chain Store Corporation (b)

    29,000       294,840  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. - ADR

    5,575       323,907  
              1,390,367  

 

 

17

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

COMMON STOCKS — 69.9% (Continued)

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Thailand — 2.0%

               

Charoen Pokphand Foods pcl (b)

    309,000     $ 285,192  
                 

United States — 1.4%

               

Southern Copper Corporation

    4,890       207,727  
         

Total Common Stocks (Cost $9,246,322)

  $ 10,103,186  

 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 7.3%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Brazil — 5.6%

               

Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição - ADR (e)

    7,000     $ 153,090  

Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel - ADR (e)

    15,000       254,100  

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. - ADR (e)

    28,905       264,481  

Telefonica Brasil S.A. - ADR (e)

    8,850       126,732  
              798,403  

Korea (Republic of) — 0.0% (f)

               

AmorePacific Group (a)(e)

    48       2,268  
                 

Russian Federation — 1.7%

               

Surgutneftegaz PJSC - ADR (e)

    39,980       248,276  
                 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $753,342)

          $ 1,048,947  

 

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 17.1%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Columbia India Consumer ETF

    11,000     $ 464,420  

iShares China Large-Cap ETF

    7,500       327,225  

iShares MSCI India ETF

    26,800       942,020  

iShares MSCI Japan ETF

    2,750       162,910  

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF

    4,429       182,165  

VanEck Vectors India Small-Cap Index ETF

    1,890       62,011  

VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF

    20,900       334,191  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $2,349,450)

          $ 2,474,942  

 

 

18

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments
(Continued)

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 5.5%

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Invesco STIT Government & Agency Portfolio - Institutional Class, 1.51% (g) (Cost $791,381)

    791,381     $ 791,381  
                 

Total Investments at Value — 99.8% (Cost $13,140,495)

          $ 14,418,456  
                 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.2%

            35,307  
                 

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 14,453,763  

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Level 2 security (Note 2).

(c)

Illiquid security. The total value of such securities is $423 as of December 31, 2019, representing 0.0%(f) of net assets.

(d)

Level 3 security. Security has been valued at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. The total value of such securities is $423 as of December 31, 2019, representing 0.0%(f) of net assets.

(e)

Security has a perpetual maturity date.

(f)

Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%.

(g)

The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of December 31, 2019.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

19

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Summary of Common Stocks & Preferred Stocks
by Sector and Industry
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

Sector/Industry

% of Net Assets

Communication Services — 8.2%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services

3.1%

Media

1.4%

Wireless Telecommunication Services

3.7%

Consumer Discretionary — 3.1%

 

Auto Components

0.5%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

0.9%

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

0.7%

Leisure Equipment & Products

1.0%

Consumer Staples — 19.3%

 

Beverages

7.0%

Food & Staples Retailing

4.3%

Food Products

5.7%

Personal Products

2.3%

Energy — 3.8%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

3.8%

Financials — 13.3%

 

Banks

10.0%

Diversified Financial Services

1.1%

Insurance

2.2%

Health Care — 1.4%

 

Pharmaceuticals

1.4%

Industrials — 5.3%

 

Construction & Engineering

1.4%

Industrial Conglomerates

3.9%

Information Technology — 8.6%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

1.4%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

2.3%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

4.9%

Materials — 5.4%

 

Chemicals

1.4%

Construction Materials

1.6%

Metals & Mining

2.4%

Real Estate — 4.9%

 

Real Estate Management & Development

4.9%

Utilities — 3.9%

 

Electric Utilities

1.7%

Gas Utilities

2.2%

 

77.2%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

20

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Cutler
Equity Fund

   

Cutler Fixed
Income Fund

   

Cutler
Emerging
Markets Fund

 

ASSETS

                       

Investments in securities:

                       

At cost

  $ 94,464,990     $ 9,649,080     $ 13,140,495  

At value (Note 2)

  $ 164,938,680     $ 9,889,659     $ 14,418,456  

Cash denominated in foreign currency (Cost $27,697)

                28,986  

Receivable for capital shares sold

    3,257       24       1,744  

Dividends and interest receivable

    246,916       53,200       33,125  

Other assets

    18,195       6,060       3,026  

Total assets

    165,207,048       9,948,943       14,485,337  
                         

LIABILITIES

                       

Payable for capital shares redeemed

    37,804       2,503       276  

Payable to Adviser (Note 3)

    89,639       2,128        

Payable to administrator (Note 3)

    20,900       6,000       6,500  

Other accrued expenses

    97,714       15,684       24,798  

Total liabilities

    246,057       26,315       31,574  
                         

NET ASSETS

  $ 164,960,991     $ 9,922,628     $ 14,453,763  
                         

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

                       

Paid-in capital

  $ 93,511,634     $ 12,487,452     $ 13,347,533  

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

    71,449,357       (2,564,824 )     1,106,230  

NET ASSETS

  $ 164,960,991     $ 9,922,628     $ 14,453,763  
                         

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

    7,541,609       1,125,476       1,517,872  
                         

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 21.87     $ 8.82     $ 9.52  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

21

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Cutler
Equity Fund

   

Cutler Fixed
Income Fund

   

Cutler
Emerging
Markets Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

                       

Dividend income

  $ 2,180,503     $ 1,527     $ 346,424  

Interest income

          129,548        

Foreign withholding taxes on dividends

                (26,411 )

Total investment income

    2,180,503       131,075       320,013  
                         

EXPENSES

                       

Investment advisory fees (Note 3)

    603,702       26,218       59,006  

Administration fees (Note 3)

    120,825       36,000       39,000  

Shareholder servicing fees (Note 4)

    119,927       10        

Legal fees

    28,289       1,750       2,460  

Audit and tax services fees

    8,754       9,750       10,002  

Registration and filing fees

    11,371       8,935       6,459  

Custody and bank service fees

    8,844       2,648       9,955  

Trustees’ fees (Note 3)

    16,272       1,092       1,386  

Pricing costs

    478       3,541       10,741  

Insurance expense

    8,615       754       915  

Postage and supplies

    4,902       1,700       2,183  

Printing of shareholder reports

    2,947       1,941       1,812  

Other expenses

    5,533       4,504       7,602  

Total expenses

    940,459       98,843       151,521  

Less contractual fee reductions by the Adviser (Note 3)

    (14,782 )           (43,921 )

Fees voluntarily waived by the Adviser (Note 3)

          (13,109 )      

Net expenses

    925,677       85,734       107,600  
                         

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

    1,254,826       45,341       212,413  
                         

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES

                       

Net realized gains (losses) from:

                       

Investment transactions

    4,642,825       1,598       15,389  

Foreign currency transactions

                (655 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                       

Investments

    8,648,330       38,256       (29,592 )

Foreign currency translation

                1,388  

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES

    13,291,155       39,854       (13,470 )
                         

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 14,545,981     $ 85,195     $ 198,943  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

22

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2019
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
June 30, 2019

 

FROM OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

  $ 1,254,826     $ 2,375,687  

Net realized gains from investment transactions

    4,642,825       3,802,337  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    8,648,330       9,155,680  

Net increase in net assets from operations

    14,545,981       15,333,704  
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 2)

    (5,452,719 )     (8,082,565 )
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    4,521,917       10,555,041  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders

    5,430,829       8,028,678  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (13,749,791 )     (16,767,414 )

Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions

    (3,797,045 )     1,816,305  
                 

TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

    5,296,217       9,067,444  
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period

    159,664,774       150,597,330  

End of period

  $ 164,960,991     $ 159,664,774  
                 

CAPITAL SHARE ACTIVITY

               

Shares sold

    214,051       545,315  

Shares reinvested

    250,268       427,180  

Shares redeemed

    (648,464 )     (844,732 )

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (184,145 )     127,763  

Shares outstanding at beginning of period

    7,725,754       7,597,991  

Shares outstanding at end of period

    7,541,609       7,725,754  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

23

 

 

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2019
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
June 30, 2019

 

FROM OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

  $ 45,341     $ 51,863  

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

    1,598       (711,542 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    38,256       1,033,594  

Net increase in net assets from operations

    85,195       373,915  
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 2)

    (42,417 )      
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    174,573       527,597  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders

    42,000        

Payments for shares redeemed

    (1,148,080 )     (2,404,646 )

Net decrease from capital share transactions

    (931,507 )     (1,877,049 )
                 

TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS

    (888,729 )     (1,503,134 )
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period

    10,811,357       12,314,491  

End of period

  $ 9,922,628     $ 10,811,357  
                 

CAPITAL SHARE ACTIVITY

               

Shares sold

    19,734       62,188  

Shares reinvested

    4,757        

Shares redeemed

    (130,242 )     (282,908 )

Net decrease in shares outstanding

    (105,751 )     (220,720 )

Shares outstanding at beginning of period

    1,231,227       1,451,947  

Shares outstanding at end of period

    1,125,476       1,231,227  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

24

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2019
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
June 30, 2019

 

FROM OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

  $ 212,413     $ 178,635  

Net realized gains (losses) from:

               

Investment transactions

    15,389       31,342  

Foreign currency transactions

    (655 )     (2,533 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

               

Investments

    (29,592 )     (144,857 )

Foreign currency translation

    1,388       287  

Net increase in net assets from operations

    198,943       62,874  
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 2)

    (250,954 )     (171,021 )
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,117,482       2,056,827  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders

    250,918       171,021  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (990,804 )     (1,944,897 )

Net increase from capital share transactions

    377,596       282,951  
                 

TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

    325,585       174,804  
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period

    14,128,178       13,953,374  

End of period

  $ 14,453,763     $ 14,128,178  
                 

CAPITAL SHARE ACTIVITY

               

Shares sold

    121,194       219,282  

Shares reinvested

    26,637       19,346  

Shares redeemed

    (106,705 )     (211,753 )

Net increase in shares outstanding

    41,126       26,875  

Shares outstanding at beginning of period

    1,476,746       1,449,871  

Shares outstanding at end of period

    1,517,872       1,476,746  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

25

 

 

 

Cutler Equity Fund
Financial Highlights

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Six Months
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

   

Years Ended June 30,

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

  $ 20.67     $ 19.82     $ 18.39     $ 17.15     $ 17.06     $ 17.33  
                                                 

Income from investment operations:

                                               

Net investment income

    0.17       0.31       0.28       0.28       0.30       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gains on investments

    1.76       1.62       1.68       1.42       0.88       0.02  

Total from investment operations

    1.93       1.93       1.96       1.70       1.18       0.27  
                                                 

Less distributions from:

                                               

Net investment income

    (0.17 )     (0.31 )     (0.28 )     (0.29 )     (0.28 )     (0.25 )

Net realized gains

    (0.56 )     (0.77 )     (0.25 )     (0.17 )     (0.81 )     (0.29 )

Total distributions

    (0.73 )     (1.08 )     (0.53 )     (0.46 )     (1.09 )     (0.54 )
                                                 

Net asset value at end of period

  $ 21.87     $ 20.67     $ 19.82     $ 18.39     $ 17.15     $ 17.06  
                                                 

Total return (a)

    9.42 %(b)     10.36 %     10.63 %     9.97 %     7.40 %     1.49 %
                                                 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

  $ 164,961     $ 159,665     $ 150,597     $ 141,585     $ 132,136     $ 122,739  
                                                 

Ratios/supplementary data:

                                               
                                                 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.17 %(c)     1.16 %     1.16 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.15 %
                                                 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d)

    1.15 %(c)     1.15 %     1.15 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.15 %
                                                 

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

    1.56 %(c)     1.56 %     1.41 %     1.54 %     1.79 %     1.42 %
                                                 

Portfolio turnover rate

    2 %(b)     5 %     10 %     5 %     11 %     14 %

 

(a)

Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the period covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The total returns would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced advisory fees (Note 3).

(b)

Not annualized.

(c)

Annualized.

(d)

Ratio was determined after advisory fee reductions (Note 3).

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

26

 

 

 

Cutler FIXED Income Fund
Financial Highlights

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Six Months
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

   

Years Ended June 30,

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

  $ 8.78     $ 8.48     $ 8.53     $ 9.69     $ 10.18     $ 10.01  
                                                 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                               

Net investment income (loss)

    0.04       0.02       (0.11 )     0.25       0.79       0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.04       0.28       0.06 (a)      (0.72 )     (0.50 )     (0.12 )

Total from investment operations

    0.08       0.30       (0.05 )     (0.47 )     0.29       0.37  
                                                 

Less distributions from:

                                               

Net investment income

    (0.04 )                 (0.69 )     (0.78 )     (0.20 )
                                                 

Net asset value at end of period

  $ 8.82     $ 8.78     $ 8.48     $ 8.53     $ 9.69     $ 10.18  
                                                 

Total return (b)

    0.87 %(c)     3.54 %     (0.59 %)     (5.02 %)     2.91 %     3.65 %
                                                 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

  $ 9,923     $ 10,811     $ 12,314     $ 15,071     $ 18,289     $ 17,431  
                                                 

Ratios/supplementary data:

                                               
                                                 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    1.64 %(d)(e)     1.57 %(e)     1.65 %(e)     1.46 %     1.36 %     1.41 %
                                                 

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

    0.87 %(d)     0.45 %(f)     (1.04 %)(f)     2.91 %(f)     8.42 %(f)     4.95 %(f)
                                                 

Portfolio turnover rate

    0 %     12 %     36 %     24 %     71 %     85 %

 

(a)

Realized and unrealized gains per share in this caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period noted and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains (losses) on the Fund’s Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the same period.

(b)

Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the period covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The total returns would have been lower if the Adviser had not voluntarily waived advisory fees for the periods ended December 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and 2018 (Note 3).

(c)

Not annualized

(d)

Annualized.

(e)

Ratio was determined after voluntary advisory fee waivers by the Adviser. If such fee waivers had not occurred, the ratio would have been 1.89%(d), 1.78%, and 1.65% for the periods ended December 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively (Note 3).

(f)

Ratio includes income from prepayment penalties received for IO securities of 0.49%, 3.75%, 11.29%, 6.90% and 4.57% of average daily net assets for the years ended June 30, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively (Note 7).

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

27

 

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund
Financial Highlights

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

Six Months
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

(Unaudited)

   

Year
Ended
June 30,
2019

   

Year
Ended
June 30,
2018

   

Year
Ended
June 30,
2017

   

Period
Ended
June 30,
2016
(a)

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

  $ 9.57     $ 9.62     $ 9.42     $ 8.38     $ 10.00  
                                         

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.14       0.12       0.07       0.06       0.10  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.02 )     (0.05 )     0.21       1.03       (1.65 )

Total from investment operations

    0.12       0.07       0.28       1.09       (1.55 )
                                         

Less distributions from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.17 )     (0.12 )     (0.08 )     (0.05 )     (0.07 )
                                         

Net asset value at end of period

  $ 9.52     $ 9.57     $ 9.62     $ 9.42     $ 8.38  
                                         

Total return (b)

    1.26 %(c)     0.80 %     2.95 %     13.14 %     (15.43 %)(c)
                                         

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

  $ 14,454     $ 14,128     $ 13,953     $ 12,112     $ 8,128  
                                         

Ratios/supplementary data:

                                       
                                         

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    2.18 %(e)     2.12 %     2.07 %     2.60 %     3.85 %(e)
                                         

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d)

    1.55 %(e)     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.56 %(f)     1.55 %(e)
                                         

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

    3.06 %(e)     1.30 %     0.78 %     0.72 %     1.56 %(e)
                                         

Portfolio turnover rate

    1 %(c)     6 %     2 %     15 %     10 %(c)

 

(a)

Represents the period from the commencement of operations (July 2, 2015) through June 30, 2016.

(b)

Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the period covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The total returns would have been lower if the Adviser had not reduced advisory fees (Note 3).

(c)

Not annualized.

(d)

Ratio was determined after advisory fee reductions and expense reimbursements (Note 3).

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

Includes federal excise taxes of 0.01% of average net assets with respect to the year ended June 30, 2017.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

28

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

1. Organization

 

Cutler Equity Fund, Cutler Fixed Income Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of The Cutler Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust that is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under its Trust Instrument, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Fund shares of beneficial interest without par value.

 

Cutler Equity Fund seeks current income and long-term capital appreciation.

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund seeks to achieve high income over the long-term.

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund seeks current income and long-term capital appreciation.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Funds. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Each Fund follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies.”

 

New Accounting Pronouncement — In March 2017, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08 (“ASU 2017-08”), “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities, held at a premium, to be amortized to the earliest call date. ASU 2017-18 does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount, which continue to accrete to maturity. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Funds are complying with ASU 2017-08 and the impact is not deemed to be material to the Funds.

 

Securities Valuation — Portfolio securities are valued as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Exchange traded securities are valued using the last reported sales price on the exchanges on which they are primarily traded. When using the last sales price and when the market is considered to be active, the security will be classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy (see below). In the absence of a sale, such securities are valued at the mean of the last bid and asked price. Securities which are quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities principally traded in non-U.S. markets that may close at different times than U.S. markets are typically fair valued by an independent pricing service and translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing quotation service. Non-exchange traded securities for which over-the-counter quotations

 

29

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

are available are generally valued at the closing bid price. Fixed income securities are generally valued using prices provided by an independent pricing service. The independent pricing service uses information with respect to transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities, and various relationships between securities in determining the prices. Investments in shares of other open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value (“NAV”) as reported by such companies.

 

The Funds value securities at fair value pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) if (1) market quotations are insufficient or not readily available or (2) the Funds’ investment adviser believes that the prices or values available are unreliable due to, among other things, the occurrence of events after the close of the securities markets on which the Funds’ securities primarily trade but before the time as of which the Funds calculate their NAVs. In instances where the investment adviser believes that the prices received from the independent pricing service are unreliable, proprietary valuation models may be used that consider benchmark yield curves, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments and other unique security features to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are discounted to calculate the fair values. Fair valued securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

The Board approves the independent pricing services used by the Funds.

 

GAAP establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Fund has access at the date of measurement.

 

 

Level 2 – quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.

 

 

Level 3 – model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Fund’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

30

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Fixed income securities held by Cutler Fixed Income Fund are classified as Level 2 because the values for the fixed income securities are based on prices that utilize various “other significant observable inputs” including bid and ask quotations, prices of similar securities and interest rates, among other factors.

 

Securities of Cutler Emerging Markets Fund traded in foreign markets may be classified as Level 2 despite the availability of closing prices because such securities are typically fair valued by an independent pricing service approved by the Board. These foreign securities may be priced at their fair value because the value of the securities may be materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s pricing time but after the close of the primary markets or exchanges on which such foreign securities are traded. These intervening events might be country-specific (e.g., natural disaster, economic or political developments, interest rate change); issuer-specific (e.g., earnings report, merger announcement); or U.S. markets-specific (such as a significant movement in the U.S. markets that is deemed to affect the value of foreign securities). The pricing service uses an automated system incorporating a model based on multiple parameters, including a security’s local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, trading in depositary receipts and futures, if applicable, and/or research valuations by its staff, in determining what it believes is the fair value of the securities.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2019 by security type:

 

Cutler Equity Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 164,429,666     $     $     $ 164,429,666  

Money Market Funds

    509,014                   509,014  

Total

  $ 164,938,680     $     $     $ 164,938,680  

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations

  $     $ 3,359,000     $     $ 3,359,000  

U.S. Government Agency Obligations

          4,325,446             4,325,446  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

          46,751             46,751  

Corporate Bonds

          1,828,082             1,828,082  

Money Market Funds

    330,380                   330,380  

Total

  $ 330,380     $ 9,559,279     $     $ 9,889,659  

 

31

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 3,932,384     $ 6,170,379     $ 423     $ 10,103,186  

Preferred Stocks

    1,048,947                   1,048,947  

Exchange-Traded Funds

    2,474,942                   2,474,942  

Money Market Funds

    791,381                   791,381  

Total

  $ 8,247,654     $ 6,170,379     $ 423     $ 14,418,456  

 

Refer to each Fund’s Schedule of Investments for a listing of the securities by security type and sector or industry type. There were no Level 3 securities held by Cutler Equity Fund and Cutler Fixed Income Fund as of or during the six months ended December 31, 2019.

 

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 instruments of Cutler Emerging Markets Fund for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value for the six months ended December 31, 2019:

 

Investments in
Securities

 

Value as
of June 30,
2019

   

Received via
Corporate
Action

   

Sales

   

Realized
Gains
(Losses)

   

Net
Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Value as of
December
31, 2019

 

Common stocks

  $     $ 428     $     $     $ (5 )   $ 423  

 

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs developed by the Adviser in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review by the board to determine the fair value of the Level 3 investments of Cutler Emerging Markets Fund.

 

 

 

Fair Value at
December 31,
2019

   

Valuation
Technique

   

Unobservable
Input
1

   

Range

   

Impact to
Valuation
from an
Increase in
Input

 

Common Stocks

  $ 423       Management’s Estimate of Future Cash Flows       N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

1

Significant increases and decreases in the unobservable input used to determine fair value of Level 3 assets could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements. An increase to the unobservable input would result in a decrease to the fair value. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect.

 

32

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Share valuation — The NAV per share of each Fund is calculated daily by dividing the total value of its assets, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding. The offering price and redemption price per share of each Fund is equal to its NAV per share.

 

Common Expenses — Expenses of the Trust not attributable solely to one of the Funds are allocated among the Funds based on relative net assets of each Fund or the nature of the expense and the relative applicability to each Fund.

 

Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Realized Gains and Losses — Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income is recorded as earned and prepayment fee income, if any, is recorded upon receipt of such income, as that is when information surrounding these transactions becomes known. Discounts and premiums on fixed income securities are amortized using the effective interest method over the estimated lives of the securities. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on a specific identification basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and foreign capital gains taxes, when applicable, have been recorded in accordance with the Trust’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

Foreign Currency Translation — Assets and securities denominated in or expected to settle in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates on the following basis:

 

 

A.

The values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities are translated as of the close of the NYSE each day.

 

 

B.

Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing as of 4:00 p.m. on the respective date of such transactions.

 

 

C.

The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations caused by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from those caused by changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from: (1) purchases and sales of foreign currencies; (2) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions; and (3) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the

 

33

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

amounts actually received or paid. Reported net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, excluding changes in foreign exchange rates on investments as discussed in Note 2. C. above, that result from changes in exchange rates.

 

Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly to shareholders of Cutler Equity Fund and Cutler Fixed Income Fund and are declared and paid annually to shareholders of Cutler Emerging Markets Fund. Capital gain distributions, if any, are distributed to shareholders annually. Distributions are based on amounts calculated in accordance with applicable federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are due primarily to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Funds. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The tax character of distributions paid by the Funds during the periods ended December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 was as follows:

 

 

 

Period Ended

   

Ordinary
Income

   

Long-term
Capital Gains

   

Total
Distributions

 

Cutler Equity Fund

    12/31/2019     $ 1,288,801     $ 4,163,918     $ 5,452,719  
      6/30/2019     $ 2,373,343     $ 5,703,795     $ 8,077,138  
                                 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund

    12/31/2019     $ 42,417     $     $ 42,417  
      6/30/2019     $     $     $  
                                 

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund

    12/31/2019     $ 250,954     $     $ 250,954  
      6/30/2019     $ 171,021     $     $ 171,021  

 

Federal income tax — Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). By so qualifying, the Funds will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent that they distribute their net investment income and any net realized capital gains in accordance with the Code.

 

In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also each Fund’s intention to declare as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ended October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.

 

34

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of December 31, 2019:

 

 

 

Cutler Equity
Fund

   

Cutler Fixed
Income Fund

   

Cutler
Emerging
Markets Fund

 

Tax cost of portfolio investments and foreign currencies

  $ 94,476,692     $ 9,749,946     $ 13,194,653  

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 73,667,518     $ 218,902     $ 2,156,919  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (3,205,530 )     (79,189 )     (933,116 )

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currencies

    70,461,988       139,713       1,223,803  

Accumulated ordinary income (loss)

    (2,546 )     2,455       37,323  

Capital loss carryforwards

          (2,706,946 )     (170,286 )

Other gains (losses)

    989,915       (46 )     15,390  

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

  $ 71,449,357     $ (2,564,824 )   $ 1,106,230  

 

The difference between the federal income tax cost of portfolio investments and the financial statement cost for each Fund is due to certain differences in the recognition of capital gains and losses under income tax regulations and GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are temporary in nature and are related to losses deferred due to wash sales for Cutler Equity Fund, losses deferred due to wash sales and amortization of bond premiums and discounts for Cutler Fixed Income Fund and losses deferred due to wash sales and holdings classified as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) for Cutler Emerging Markets Fund.

 

As of June 30, 2019, Cutler Fixed Income Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards, with no expiration date, of $296,359 and $2,410,587, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, Cutler Emerging Markets Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards, with no expiration date, of $104,618 and $65,668, respectively. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in the current and future years to offset net realized capital gains, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits or expenses of uncertain tax positions only when the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has reviewed the tax positions taken on Federal income tax returns for the current and all open tax years (generally, three years) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognized tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements.

 

35

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

3. Transactions with Related Parties

 

Investment Adviser — Cutler Investment Counsel, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Funds. Pursuant to Investment Advisory Agreements, Cutler Equity Fund, Cutler Fixed Income Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund pay the Adviser a fee, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.85%, respectively, of average daily net assets.

 

The Adviser has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement under which it has contractually agreed, until October 31, 2020, to reduce its advisory fees and to pay the ordinary operating expenses of Cutler Equity Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund to the extent necessary to limit annual ordinary operating expenses to 1.15% and 1.55%, respectively, of average daily net assets. (Ordinary operating expenses exclude brokerage costs, taxes, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses.) Any such fee reductions by the Adviser, or payments by the Adviser of expenses which are the Funds’ obligation, are subject to repayment by the Funds, provided that the repayment does not cause the ordinary operating expenses of Cutler Equity Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund to exceed the annual expense limit of 1.15% and 1.55%, respectively, and provided further that the fees and expenses which are the subject of the repayment were incurred within three years of the repayment. During the six months ended December 31, 2019, the Adviser reduced its advisory fees by $14,782 and $43,921 for Cutler Equity Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund, respectively. During the six months ended December 31, 2019, the Adviser voluntarily waived $13,109 of its investment advisory fees from Cutler Fixed Income Fund. This amount is not subject to recapture in future periods.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Adviser may seek repayment of investment advisory fee reductions and expense reimbursements no later than the dates as stated below:

 

 

 

June 30,
2020

   

June 30,
2021

   

June 30,
2022

   

December 31,
2022

   

Total

 

Cutler Equity Fund

  $     $ 12,154     $ 9,649     $ 14,782     $ 36,585  

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund

    45,929       74,399       78,493       43,921       242,742  

 

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of the Adviser.

 

Other Service Providers — Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) provides administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Funds. Each Fund pays Ultimus fees in accordance with the agreements for such services. In addition, the Funds pay out of-pocket expenses including, but not limited to, postage, supplies and certain costs related to the pricing

 

36

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

of the Funds’ portfolio securities. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Ultimus, or of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), the principal underwriter of the Funds. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus.

 

Compensation of Trustees — Trustees and officers affiliated with the Adviser or Ultimus are not compensated by the Trust for their services. Each Trustee who is not an affiliated person of the Adviser or Ultimus receives from the Trust an annual retainer of $7,500, payable quarterly, plus a fee of $1,250 for attendance at each meeting of the Board, in addition to reimbursement of travel and other expenses incurred in attending the meetings.

 

4. Shareholder Service Plan

 

Each Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees not to exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets. These fees may be paid to various financial institutions that provide shareholder and account maintenance services. During the period ended December 31, 2019, Cutler Equity Fund, Cutler Fixed Income Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund paid $119,927, $10 and $0, respectively, for such services.

 

5. Securities Transactions

 

During the period ended December 31, 2019, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. government securities, totaled $2,499,010 and $8,651,647, respectively, for Cutler Equity Fund; $0 and $0, respectively, for Cutler Fixed Income Fund; and $101,026 and $237,858, respectively, for Cutler Emerging Markets Fund.

 

6. Contingencies and Commitments

 

The Funds indemnify the Trust’s officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

7. Risks Associated with Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

Cutler Fixed Income Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, which are subject to default risk and prepayment risk, especially when interest rates decline. Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed securities may be prepaid at any time, which could reduce yield and market value. This could reduce the effective maturity of a mortgage-backed security and cause the Fund to reinvest its assets at a lower prevailing interest rate. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to extension risk, which is the risk that rising interest rates will increase the effective

 

37

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

maturity of mortgage-backed securities due to the deceleration of prepayments. Mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to risks unique to the housing industry, including mortgage lending practices, defaults, foreclosures and changes in real estate values.

 

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. An SMBS will have one class that will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive the entire principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). IOs are more volatile and sensitive to the rate of prepayments than other types of mortgage-backed securities, and their value can fall dramatically in response to rapid or unexpected changes in the mortgage, interest rate or economic environment. As of December 31, 2019, less than 0.1% of the value of Cutler Fixed Income Fund’s net assets were invested in IO classes of various SMBS. Payments received, if any, from IOs are included in interest income on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. Because no principal will be received at the maturity of an IO, adjustments are made to the cost of the security on a monthly basis until maturity. These adjustments, if any, are included in interest income on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

 

8. Risks Associated with Emerging Markets

 

In seeking to meet its investment objective, under normal conditions, at least 80% of Cutler Emerging Markets Fund’s assets will be invested in a diversified portfolio of securities of issuers whose principal activities are in, or economically tied to, emerging markets countries selected in accordance with the Adviser’s long standing dividend focused investment philosophy. Accordingly, Cutler Emerging Markets Fund is subject to the following investment risks:

 

Foreign Investment Risk — Investments in foreign securities involve different risks than U.S. investments, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, potentially unstable political and economic structures, less efficient trade settlement practices, reduced availability of public information, and lack of uniform financial reporting and regulatory practices similar to those that apply to U.S. issuers. Foreign stock markets may also be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. stock markets.

 

Emerging Markets Risk — The economies of emerging market countries may be more dependent on relatively few industries that may be highly vulnerable to local and global changes. The governments of emerging market countries may be less stable than the governments of more developed countries. Countries in the emerging markets generally have less developed securities markets or exchanges, and less developed legal and accounting systems, reduced availability of public information, and lack of uniform financial reporting and regulatory practices, which in turn may adversely impact Cutler Emerging Markets Fund’s ability to calculate accurately the intrinsic value of the securities. Securities of emerging market companies may be less liquid and more volatile than securities in countries with more mature markets. The value of emerging

 

38

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

market currencies may fluctuate more than the currencies of countries with more mature markets. Investments in emerging market countries may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, including confiscatory taxation, expropriation or nationalization of a company’s assets, restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies and restrictions on withdrawing assets from the country. Investments in securities of issuers in emerging market countries may be considered speculative and higher risk.

 

Currency Risk — Because Cutler Emerging Markets Fund holds securities valued in foreign currencies and holds foreign currencies when it purchases and sells foreign securities, changes in exchange rates will impact the value of the Fund’s assets. Thus, investments in foreign securities involve currency risk, which is the risk that the values of the foreign securities and other assets denominated in foreign currencies will decrease due to adverse changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the value of foreign currencies.

 

9. Subsequent Events

 

The Funds are required to recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed as of the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. For non-recognized subsequent events that must be disclosed to keep the financial statements from being misleading, the Funds are required to disclose the nature of the event as well as an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of these financial statements and has noted no such events other than the following:

 

On February 19, 2020, the Board of Trustees approved the liquidation of Cutler Fixed Income Fund and Cutler Emerging Markets Fund, subject to approval by shareholders of the respective Funds. The shareholder meeting seeking such approval will be held on April 28, 2020 with a proposed liquidation date of May 28, 2020. Shareholders of record on March 5, 2020 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the shareholder meeting with respect to the liquidation of the Fund in which they hold shares.

 

39

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
About Your Funds’ Expenses (Unaudited)

 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of costs on your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other operating expenses. These ongoing costs, which are deducted from each Fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of the Funds.

 

A mutual fund’s ongoing costs are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets. This figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The examples below are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019).

 

The table below illustrates each Fund’s ongoing costs in two ways:

 

Actual fund return – This section helps you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from each Fund’s actual return, and the fourth column shows the dollar amount of operating expenses that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Funds. You may use the information here, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

 

To do so, 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 given for the Funds under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

 

Hypothetical 5% return – This section is intended to help you compare the Funds’ ongoing costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that each Fund had an annual return of 5% before expenses during the period shown, but that the expense ratio is unchanged. In this case, because the returns used are not the Funds’ actual returns, the results do not apply to your investment. The example is useful in making comparisons because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on a 5% return. You can assess each Fund’s ongoing costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only. The Funds do not charge transaction fees, such as purchase or redemption fees, nor do they impose any sales loads.

 

The calculations assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Your actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of your investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

 

40

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
About Your FundS’ Expenses (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

More information about the Funds’ expenses, including annual expense ratios for the past five fiscal years, can be found in this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to each Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Beginning
Account Value
July 1,
2019

Ending
Account Value
December 31,
2019

Net Expense
Ratio
(a)

Expenses
Paid During
Period
(b)

Cutler Equity Fund

       

Based on Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,094.20

1.15%

$ 6.07

Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,019.41

1.15%

$ 5.85

Cutler Fixed Income Fund

       

Based on Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,008.70

1.64%

$ 8.30

Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,016.94

1.64%

$ 8.34

Cutler Emerging Markets Fund

       

Based on Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,012.60

1.55%

$ 7.86

Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,017.39

1.55%

$ 7.88

 

(a)

Annualized, based on each Fund’s most recent one-half year expenses.

(b)

Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, muliplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

41

 

 

 

The Cutler Trust
Additional Information (Unaudited)

 

 

Proxy Voting Information

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-228-8537 or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-228-8537 or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Form N-Q Information

 

The Trust files a complete listing of the Funds’ portfolio holdings with the SEC as of the end of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-Q’s successor form, Form N-PORT. The filings are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-228-8537. Furthermore, you may obtain a copy of the filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

42

 

 

 

Rev. August 2010

 

Privacy Notice

FACTS

WHAT DOES THE CUTLER TRUST 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

■ Assets

■ Retirement Assets

■ Transaction History

■ Checking Account Information

■ Purchase History

■ Account Balances

■ Account Transactions

■ Wire Transfer Instructions

 

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 your 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 Cutler Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

       

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does The Cutler Trust 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

No

We don’t share

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No

We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

We don’t share

   

Questions?

Call 1-888-288-5374

 

43

 

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

The Cutler Trust

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

What we do

How does The Cutler Trust 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.

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does The Cutler Trust 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 deposits or withdrawals from your account

■ Make a wire transfer

■ Tell us where to send the money

■ Tell us who receives the money

■ Show your government-issued ID

■ Show your driver’s license

 

We also collect your personal information from 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.

Cutler Investment Counsel, LLC, the investment adviser to The Cutler Trust, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

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

The Cutler Trust does not 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 Cutler Trust does not jointly market.

 

 

44

 

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

CUTLER INVESTMENT COUNSEL, LLC

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE TRUST

 

525 Bigham Knoll
Jacksonville, OR 97530
(800)228-8537 ● (541)770-9000
Fax:(541)779-0006
info@cutler.com

 

 

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics.

 

Not required

 

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not required

 

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not required

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable

 

Item 6.Schedule of Investments.

 

(a) Not applicable [schedule filed with Item 1]

 

(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.

 

The registrant has not adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

 

 

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and are operating effectively to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared, and that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable

 

Item 13.Exhibits.

 

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.

 

(a)(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not required

 

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)): Attached hereto

 

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable

 

(a)(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountants. Not applicable

 

(b) Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)): Attached hereto

 

Exhibit 99.CERT Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act
Exhibit 99.906CERT Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act

 

 

 

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 Cutler Trust  

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Erich M. Patten  
    Erich M. Patten, President  
       
Date March 4, 2020    

 

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/ Erich M. Patten  
    Erich M. Patten, President  
       
Date March 4, 2020    
       
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Matthew C. Patten  
    Matthew C. Patten, Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
       
Date March 4, 2020    

 

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