Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
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Annual
Report
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March
31, 2020
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1-866-209-1964
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www.tebergfund.com
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Distributed
by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
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Member
FINRA/SIPC
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Beginning
on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the 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.
Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds website www.tebergfund.com, 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 Fund electronically by contacting your
financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included
with paper Fund documents that have been mailed to you.
Dear
fellow shareholder,
Each
of us has likely experienced times when life was going along as expected and then everything changed in a flash. A death of a
loved one, a health issue or any number of life events can suddenly alter the way we live. It seems few of us, however, could
have imagined a time like this when all our lives seemed to change overnight due to a shared threat – the deadly COVID-19
pandemic.
Its
somewhat challenging to address the task at hand, which is to review the entire period from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020,
when the events of the last months seem to overshadow everything that happened beforehand. Well do our best to discuss
not only this recent unprecedented time but also what now seem like the good old days in the period when the markets
were soaring to new record highs and we hadnt heard of social distancing. As in past reports, well again focus mainly
on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow), the index many investors seem to track.
The
Teberg Funds report card . . .
By
the close of the period, the Fund had given up all the gain achieved in earlier months and closed with a negative return of -9.44%.
The Dow also ended in the red with a -13.38% return. The S&P 500® Index (S&P), the Funds benchmark, managed
to contain its loss to -6.98%.
The
Fund dropped $1.29 per share during the period, starting at $11.66 on April 1, 2019 and ending at $10.37 on March 31, 2020. There
was relatively steady growth throughout most of the period, with the share price rising to a high of $13.50 on February 19, 2020.
Just over a month later, fears of COVID-19 had decimated the market, and our share price plummeted to a period low of $9.15. That
was on March 23, 2020 following the worst week on Wall Street since the 2008 financial crisis.
Highlights
of pre-pandemic days . . .
Most
good and bad times seem relative when compared with those before and after that broke records. This appears especially true when
we look back at our September 2019 report, which covered the first six months of the period.
At
that time, we considered the summer months of 2019 volatile after a calm start to the period. The highs and lows now seem trivial
after the record-shattering days near the end of the period.
Growth
in April 2019 was rather consistent thanks in part to strong U.S. economic numbers, good corporate earnings and signs that Chinas
economy was improving. Events in China seemed to be related to much of the market movement during the period, but none more impactful
than the virus originating there.
May
2019 started on a high note when it was reported on the third of the month that U.S. unemployment had fallen to a 49-year low
of 3.6% for the month of April. This was the lowest level since December 1969. Then China announced it would raise tariffs on
U.S. imports in response to our tariff increase the previous week. This resulted in a brutal day on May 13, 2019 when the Dow
fell 617 points and closed at 25,325.
The
summer months started strong, with June 2019 achieving the best June performance since 1938. The Dow rose 1,784 points during
the month to close at 26,600 on June 28th (the last trading
day).
This growth was believed to be sparked by news that the Federal Reserve (Fed) might relax monetary policy to shore up the economy
and signs that trade tensions appeared to lessen.
July
15 was another notable day. The Dow rose to a new record high of 27,359. This strong finish was believed to result in part from
speculation about a potential rate cut. This high didnt hold for long. The Dow dropped 767 points on August 5 and another
800 points on August 14 and ended the month down more than 900 points from the July 15 record high.
Throughout
the fall months of 2019, the Dow seesawed up and down less dramatically and didnt reach the range of the July 15 high until
November 1, when the index closed at 27,347. It finally surpassed the July high on November 4 with a strong 27,462 close, then
rallied to a new record high of 28,164 on November 27, all related to news that China and the U.S. might be close to reaching
a trade deal.
A
tentative trade deal with China was also credited for sparking more new records in December. On December 12, the Dow, the S&P
and the NASDAQ Composite Index (NASDAQ) posted all-time intraday highs. On December 27, the Dow closed even higher at 28,645,
setting a new record high and capping off a very strong 2019.
The
Teberg Fund benefitted from these market highs and ended 2019 with a one-year return of 26.55%, second only to its record 38.16%
one-year return in 2009.
The
good times end . . .
By
December, many of us had heard news of a strange new virus in China, but at that time it seemed like a distant threat and didnt
derail the market from its upward course. Even into mid January 2020, when the number of cases in China and elsewhere increased,
the market showed continued strength. On Friday, January 17, the Dow ended a very strong week at a new record close of 29,348.
International trade was again credited as the U.S. trade deal with China appeared closer to resolution, and Congress passed deals
with Mexico and Canada.
By
the final days of January, the market started its descent. On January 31, at the end of a turbulent week, the Dow dropped just
over 600 points to close at 28,256 and gave up all of its gain earlier in the month. By this time, the World Health Organization
had declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.
The
market rebounded in the early days of February, and the Dow hit a new record high of 29,551 on February 12. A week later, on February
19, the Fund reached its period high of $13.50 per share. The real market meltdown came later in the month with the Dows
especially dramatic drops of 1,032, 879 and 1,191 on February 24, 25 and 27 respectively, closing at 25,767 on the last day of
what appeared to be panic selling prompted by coronavirus fears. The Dow again dropped on the final trading day of the month and
ended February at 25,409. These dates were part of the worst seven-day losing streak since the 2008 financial crisis. The Funds
share price also dropped dramatically to $11.99, down $1.51 from its period high the week before.
The
Ides of March . . .
There
dont seem to be enough superlatives to describe what happened to the market in March, with so many historic days that it
will likely be studied by scholars for years to come. While nearly every day in March was historic, we chose to focus on those
when the Dow moved more than
1,000
points up or down. Following is a list of those days, which includes brief references to the events believed to trigger the market
fluctuations.
March
2
Dow close:
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+1,294
26,703
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Even
as COVID-19 fears escalated, Wall Street rebounded from its worst week since 2008, and the Dow set a new record one-day point
gain.
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March
4
Dow close:
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+1,173
27,091
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Investors
reacted to the previous days news of the Feds first emergency rate cut since 2008 and former VP Joe Bidens
win on Super Tuesday.
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March
9
Dow close:
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-
2,014
23,851
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Trading
was stopped briefly shortly after the markets opened. Oil markets collapsed as the impact of COVID-19 reduced demand.
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March
10
Dow close:
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+1,167
25,018
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Talk
of substantial government relief. The Dows third-best gain on record.
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March
11
Dow close:
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-
1,465
23,553
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World
Health Organization designated COVID-19 a pandemic.
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March
12
Dow close:
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-
2,353
21,200
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Drop
of 10% is biggest since Black Monday crash of 1987. President announced 30-day ban on travel to the U.S. from European countries
(excluding the UK).
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March
13
Dow close:
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+1,985
23,186
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President
declared national emergency to make as much as $50 billion available to state and local governments.
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March
16
Dow close:
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-
2,997
20,188
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Fed
cut interest rates to near zero in an effort to shore up the sinking economy. States start to shut down.
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March
17
Dow close:
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+
1,049
21,237
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Stocks
rallied on expectations of a $1 trillion fiscal stimulus package.
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March
18
Dow close:
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-
1,338
19,899
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The
first close below 20,000 since February 2017. Trading again halted briefly.
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March
24
Dow close:
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+
2,113
20,705
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Dow
broke record set on March 13 with the largest one-day gain in history on signs that the massive stimulus package was nearing.
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On
March 31, the Dow dropped 410 points to end the period at 21,917. This was the worst first quarter in its 135-year history and
represented a 23% drop from where it started in January and a 26% dip below the record high on February 12. The longest-running
bull market in history was officially declared over.
The
portfolio in review . . .
In
tough markets, there are often certain industries and sectors that are unscathed, but the virtual halt to economies around the
world seemed to spare very few. The same was true of nearly every investment other than cash, with most stocks and mutual funds
losing value as fear and panic selling spread. In recent history, there have been times when investors seemed to overlook bad
news,
and the market continued strong. That wasnt true in this period when many schools, universities and businesses were closed
and many populations were sheltering inside to avoid the invisible menace causing illness and death around the world.
The
Funds holdings also lost much of the gain achieved for nearly 10 months of the annual period ended March 31, 2020, with
only three ending in the black. The relative winners were an ETF tracking the NASDAQ, which gained slightly less than 6% and two
tracking the semiconductor sector, which gained just over 8% and 10% each. These three ETFs were also singled out as top achievers
in our September 2019 report. Their strong performance may have accounted for ending the annual period at a profit while other
holdings didnt have such a wide growth margin heading into the meltdown.
Our
four high-yield bond positions held up relatively well, even though all ended in the negative. Two lost under 4%, one lost under
6% and one lost under 9%. The most damaged holdings in the portfolio were ETFs tracking the more targeted Russell, Small-Cap and
Mid-Cap indices, with losses hovering around 25% each. The financial sector ETF and a stock mutual fund dropped approximately
19% and 18% respectively. Our single stock holding lost close to 10%.
Its
fair for you to ask why I wasnt able to prevent these losses. The best I can do is to first admit I didnt see this
coming. The indicators I follow remained strong, and there didnt appear to be sell signals for any of our holdings. I was
confident that remaining fully invested was the best strategy, and it was for nearly 10 months of the period. We were on track
to have a good year, until the bottom suddenly fell out. The only options then were to sell at significant losses, as many investors
did, or to keep the portfolio intact. Even though March was a bloodbath, there were days when the market rose dramatically, and
the Dow managed to regain some of its loss, most notably with the historic rise on March 24.
For
now, the plan is to objectively focus on the potential strength or weakness of each holding as we navigate this unchartered market
climate, with the goal of coming out as sound as possible when we finally get back to normal, whatever that looks like.
To
better days . . .
No
one seems to know where we will be next week, next month or even next year. The best we can do is to keep ourselves safe and healthy.
Were doing our best to protect our team by working in different locations miles apart. Our office is closed to visitors
but is staffed every week day.
Weve
enjoyed phone conversations in recent weeks with our fellow shareholders who are mainly at home. They seem to be handling these
challenging days with a practical, can do attitude that makes us proud. Whatever your circumstance, we wish you better days ahead.
Curtis
A. Teberg
Portfolio Manager
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) is an unmanaged index of common stocks comprised of major industrial companies and assumes
reinvestment of dividends. The S&P 500® Index is a broad based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely
recognized as representative of the equity market in general. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index
that is designed to represent the performance of the National Market System which includes over 5,000 stocks traded only over-the-counter
and not on an exchange. The Russell 2000 index is an index measuring the performance of approximately 2,000 small-cap companies
in the Russell 3000 Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the biggest U.S. stocks. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
The
indices shown are for informational purposes only and are not reflective of any investment. As it is not possible to invest in
the indices, the data shown does not reflect or compare features of an actual investment, such as its objectives, costs and expenses,
liquidity, safety, guarantees or insurance, fluctuation of principal or return, or tax features. Past performance is no guarantee
of future results.
This
report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
The
Teberg Fund is distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.
3587-NLD-5/13/2020
The
Teberg Fund
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Portfolio
Review
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March
31, 2020 (Unaudited)
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The Funds performance figures for the
periods ended March 31, 2020, compared to its benchmarks:
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Since April 1,
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Five Year
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Ten Year
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2002
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One Year
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(Annualized)
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(Annualized)
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(Annualized)*
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The Teberg Fund
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(9.44)%
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0.28%
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3.16%
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3.86%
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S&P 500® Index
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(6.98)%
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6.73%
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10.53%
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6.76%
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Dow Jones Industrial Average
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(13.38)%
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6.86%
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10.00%
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6.88%
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Performance
data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal
value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investors shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Funds total annual operating expenses
are 2.48%, before any fee waivers, per the August 1, 2019 prospectus. Performance data current to the most recent month end may
be obtained by calling 1-866-209-1964.
Returns
reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Fee waivers are in effect. In the absence of fee waivers, returns
would be reduced.
The
performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on dividends, capital gains distributions,
or redemption of Fund shares. Indices do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.
The
S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy.
Investors may not invest in the index directly.
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry.
It has been a widely followed indicator of the stock market since October 1, 1928. Investors may not invest in the index directly.
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*
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The
Teberg Fund commenced operations on April 1, 2002.
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The
Teberg Fund
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EXPENSE
EXAMPLES
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at
March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
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As
a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other
Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to
compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The
example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from October
1, 2019 through March 31, 2020.
Actual
Expenses
The
Actual line in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use
the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide
your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number
in the table under the heading entitled Expenses Paid During Period to estimate the expenses you paid on your account
during this period.
Hypothetical
Example for Comparison Purposes
The
Hypothetical line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses
based on the Funds actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the
Funds actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account
balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5%
hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please
note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional
costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine
the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would
have been higher.
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Beginning
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Ending
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Expenses
Paid
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Expense
Ratio During
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Account
Value
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Account
Value
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During
Period
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the
Period
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10/1/19
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3/31/20
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10/1/19
– 3/31/20*
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10/1/19
– 3/31/20
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Actual
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$1,000.00
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$869.40
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$8.18
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1.75%
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Hypothetical
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$1,000.00
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$1,016.25
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$8.82
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1.75%
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(5%
return before expenses)
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*
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Expenses
are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Funds annualized expense ratio, multiplied by
the number of days in the period (183) divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (366).
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The
Teberg Fund
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Allocation
of Portfolio Assets
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March
31, 2020 (Unaudited)
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Percentages
represent market value as a percentage of total investments as of March 31, 2020.
Please
refer to the Schedule of Investments for a detailed listing of the Funds holdings.
The
Teberg Fund
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Schedule
of Investments
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at
March 31, 2020
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Shares
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Fair Value
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COMMON STOCK - 6.8%
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6
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Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class A *
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$
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1,632,000
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TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost - $714,296)
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1,632,000
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EQUITY FUND - 3.2%
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21,150
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Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
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761,628
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TOTAL EQUITY FUND (Cost - $912,820)
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761,628
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EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 69.6%
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47,000
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Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
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978,540
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17,400
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Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1
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3,312,960
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22,549
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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
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1,265,224
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7,850
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iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF
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1,610,899
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11,274
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iShares Russell 2000 ETF
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1,290,422
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10,700
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SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust
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2,345,761
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9,300
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SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
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2,397,075
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3,160
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SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust
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830,701
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22,500
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VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF
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2,635,650
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TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $13,923,701)
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16,667,232
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FIXED INCOME FUNDS - 19.9%
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819,215
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Franklin High Income Fund
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1,327,128
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711,955
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Franklin Income Fund
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1,366,954
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426,018
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John Hancock High Yield Fund
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1,239,713
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104,414
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PIMCO High Yield Fund
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829,048
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TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS (Cost - $5,675,051)
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4,762,843
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MONEY MARKET FUND - 0.6%
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157,631
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Invesco STIT Government Agency Portfolio - Institutional Class, 0.43% +
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157,631
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TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND (Cost - $157,631)
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157,631
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost - $21,383,499) - 100.1%
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$
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23,981,334
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LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.1)%
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(35,196
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)
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NET ASSETS - 100.0%
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$
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23,946,138
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ETF
- Exchange Traded Fund
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PHLX
- Philadelphia Stock Exchange
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SPDR
- Standard & Poors Depositary Receipt
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*
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Non-income
producing security.
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+
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Money
market fund; interest rate reflects 7-day annualized yield as of March 31, 2020.
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The
Teberg Fund
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Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
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at
March 31, 2020
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ASSETS
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Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $21,383,499)
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$
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23,981,334
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Receivables
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Dividends and interest
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29,226
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Fund shares sold
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250
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Prepaid expenses
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5,097
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Total assets
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24,015,907
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LIABILITIES
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Payables
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Due to Adviser
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14,099
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Distribution (12b-1) fees payable
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5,251
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Audit fees
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17,153
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Administration fees
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8,359
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Transfer Agent fees
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5,702
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Accounting fees
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4,718
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Accrued other expenses
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14,487
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Total liabilities
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69,769
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NET ASSETS
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$
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23,946,138
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Net asset value, offering and redemption
price per share ($23,946,138 / 2,308,986 shares outstanding; unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized)
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$
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10.37
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COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
|
|
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Paid-in capital
|
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$
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23,309,095
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Accumulated earnings
|
|
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637,043
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NET ASSETS
|
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$
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23,946,138
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|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Statement
of Operations
|
For
the Year Ended March 31, 2020
|
INVESTMENT INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
$
|
651,451
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
3,287
|
|
Total Income
|
|
|
654,738
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
354,558
|
|
Distribution (12b-1) fees
|
|
|
70,912
|
|
Administration fees
|
|
|
37,962
|
|
Transfer agent fees
|
|
|
30,451
|
|
Fund accounting fees
|
|
|
28,154
|
|
Chief compliance officer fees
|
|
|
22,000
|
|
Printing fees
|
|
|
17,498
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
Trustee fees
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
14,999
|
|
Registration fees
|
|
|
9,999
|
|
Custody fees
|
|
|
7,499
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
999
|
|
Third party administrative servicing fees
|
|
|
201
|
|
Miscellaneous fees
|
|
|
1,998
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
629,234
|
|
Less: Fees waived by the Adviser
|
|
|
(133,023
|
)
|
Net expenses
|
|
|
496,211
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
158,527
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss on investments
|
|
|
(41,489
|
)
|
Capital gain distributions from regulated investment companies
|
|
|
61,866
|
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments
|
|
|
(2,608,762
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
|
|
|
(2,588,385
|
)
|
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
|
|
$
|
(2,429,858
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Statements
of Changes in Net Assets
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2020
|
|
|
March 31, 2019
|
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
158,527
|
|
|
$
|
180,377
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(41,489
|
)
|
|
|
303,267
|
|
Capital gain distributions from regulated investment companies
|
|
|
61,866
|
|
|
|
87,146
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
|
|
(2,608,762
|
)
|
|
|
588,685
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
|
(2,429,858
|
)
|
|
|
1,159,475
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions paid
|
|
|
(181,389
|
)
|
|
|
(194,694
|
)
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders
|
|
|
(181,389
|
)
|
|
|
(194,694
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from shares sold
|
|
|
634,923
|
|
|
|
355,480
|
|
Net asset value of shares reinvested
|
|
|
181,213
|
|
|
|
194,514
|
|
Payments for shares redeemed
|
|
|
(1,991,077
|
)
|
|
|
(3,598,174
|
)
|
Net decrease in net assets derived from change in outstanding shares
|
|
|
(1,174,941
|
)
|
|
|
(3,048,180
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total decrease in net assets
|
|
|
(3,786,188
|
)
|
|
|
(2,083,399
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
|
27,732,326
|
|
|
|
29,815,725
|
|
End of year
|
|
$
|
23,946,138
|
|
|
$
|
27,732,326
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARE ACTIVITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold
|
|
|
53,207
|
|
|
|
31,886
|
|
Shares reinvested
|
|
|
13,886
|
|
|
|
18,977
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
|
|
(165,339
|
)
|
|
|
(322,039
|
)
|
Net decrease in shares
|
|
|
(98,246
|
)
|
|
|
(271,176
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The
Teberg Fund
|
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
|
The
Table below sets forth financial data for one share of beneficial interest throughout each year presented
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2020
|
|
|
March 31, 2019
|
|
|
March 31, 2018
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
11.52
|
|
|
$
|
11.13
|
|
|
$
|
10.20
|
|
|
$
|
9.24
|
|
|
$
|
11.55
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income/(loss) (1,2)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
(1.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
0.96
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
(1.21
|
)
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
(1.07
|
)
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
1.03
|
|
|
|
0.96
|
|
|
|
(1.27
|
)
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1.04
|
)
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1.04
|
)
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
10.37
|
|
|
$
|
11.52
|
|
|
$
|
11.13
|
|
|
$
|
10.20
|
|
|
$
|
9.24
|
|
Total return (3)
|
|
|
(9.44
|
)%
|
|
|
4.31
|
%
|
|
|
10.12
|
%
|
|
|
10.39
|
%
|
|
|
(11.68
|
)%
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, at end of year (000s)
|
|
$
|
23,946
|
|
|
$
|
27,732
|
|
|
$
|
29,816
|
|
|
$
|
29,464
|
|
|
$
|
30,916
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before expense waiver
|
|
|
2.22
|
%
|
|
|
2.21
|
%
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
|
2.14
|
%
|
|
|
2.08
|
%
|
After expense waiver
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (1,4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before expense waiver
|
|
|
0.09
|
%
|
|
|
0.17
|
%
|
|
|
0.22
|
%
|
|
|
0.70
|
%
|
|
|
(0.88
|
)%
|
After expense waiver
|
|
|
0.56
|
%
|
|
|
0.63
|
%
|
|
|
0.65
|
%
|
|
|
1.10
|
%
|
|
|
(0.55
|
)%
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
1.80
|
%
|
|
|
41.03
|
%
|
|
|
101.03
|
%
|
|
|
332.00
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Recognition
of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies
in which the Fund invests.
|
|
(2)
|
Per
share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
|
(3)
|
Total
return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any.
|
|
(4)
|
Does
not include expenses of investment companies in which the Fund invests.
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020
|
NOTE
1 – ORGANIZATION
The
Teberg Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of shares of beneficial interest of Northern Lights Fund Trust III
(the Trust), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Trust is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The
Fund began operations on April 1, 2002 as a series of the Advisors Series Trust and reorganized into the Trust on December 13,
2013. The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize total return (capital appreciation plus income).
NOTE
2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). 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 disclosure 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.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment
Companies including FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-08.
|
A.
|
Security
Valuation: Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading
session of the exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the
NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP). In the absence of a sale, such securities shall be valued at the mean between
the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
Futures and future options are valued at the final settled price or, in the absence of a settled price, at the last sale price
on the day of valuation. Debt securities (other than short-term obligations) are valued each day by an independent pricing service
approved by the Board based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon,
maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions or market quotations from a major market
maker in the securities. Investments valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange
rates obtained from pricing services. The independent pricing service does not distinguish between smaller-sized bond positions
known as odd lots and larger institutional-sized bond positions known as round lots. The Fund may
fair value a particular bond if the adviser does not believe that the round lot value provided by the independent pricing service
reflects fair value of the Funds holding. Short-term debt obligations having 60 days or less remaining until maturity,
at time of purchase, may be valued at amortized cost. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
|
The
Fund may hold securities, such as private investments, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily
illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities
will be valued using the fair value procedures approved by the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board).
The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each
of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation
specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to
assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant
fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
|
B.
|
Fair
Valuation Process: As noted above, the fair value committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the
(i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these
groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations
are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary
lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the adviser, the
prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the adviser to make such
a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an ask price is available; the spread between bid
and ask prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of
the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities
with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a significant event) since the closing
prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Funds calculation of its net
asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the
closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid
securities, such as private investments or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the adviser based upon the current
bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances
of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the
adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value committee
shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of
purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Funds holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of
the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to
the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration
rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness;
(viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x)
current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.
|
The
Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of all of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy
that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:
Level
1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Fund has the ability to
access.
Level
2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either
directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for
similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level
3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing
the Funds own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would
be based on the best information available.
The
availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including,
for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets,
and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less
observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment
exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
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 in its entirety.
The
inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those
securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of March 31, 2020 for the Funds investments measured at fair
value:
Assets *
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
$
|
1,632,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,632,000
|
|
Equity Fund
|
|
|
761,628
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
761,628
|
|
Exchange Traded Funds
|
|
|
16,667,232
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
16,667,232
|
|
Fixed Income Funds
|
|
|
4,762,843
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
4,762,843
|
|
Money Market Fund
|
|
|
157,631
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
157,631
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
23,981,334
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
23,981,334
|
|
The
Fund did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period.
|
*
|
Please
refer to the Funds Schedule of Investments for additional detail.
|
|
C.
|
Federal
Income Taxes: It is the Funds policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal
income tax is required.
|
The
Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is more likely than not to be
sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions and has concluded that
no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open
tax years ended March 31, 2017 to March 31, 2019, or expected to be taken in the Funds March 31, 2020 year-end tax returns.
The Fund identifies its current major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal and the state of Ohio. The Fund is not aware of any tax
positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the
next twelve months.
|
D.
|
Security
Transactions and Investment Income: Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Cost is
determined and gains and losses are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income
tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Purchase
discounts and premiums on securities are accreted and amortized over the life of the respective securities.
|
|
E.
|
Distributions
to Shareholders: Distributions from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually and are recorded
on the ex-dividend date. The Fund will declare and pay net realized capital gains, if any, annually. The character of income and
gains to be distributed is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax
differences are considered either temporary (i.e., deferred losses, capital loss carry forwards) or permanent in nature. To the
extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on
their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require classification. Any such reclassifications will have no
effect on net assets, results from operations, or net asset value per share of the Fund.
|
|
F.
|
Valuation
of Fund of Funds: The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the underlying
funds). Open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies.
The underlying funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their
|
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
market
values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established
by the boards of the underlying funds. The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering,
frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market
premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of
any closed-end investment company purchased by the Fund will not change.
|
G.
|
Expenses:
Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific fund are charged to that fund. Expenses which are not
readily identifiable to a specific fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature
and type of expense and the relative sizes of the funds in the Trust.
|
|
H.
|
Indemnification:
The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties
to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations
and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as
this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the
Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be remote.
|
|
I.
|
Exchange-Traded
Funds: The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold
on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities. The Fund may purchase
an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect
the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in
it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.
|
NOTE
3 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
The
cost of purchases and proceeds from the sale of securities, other than U.S. Government securities and short-term investments,
for the year ended March 31, 2020, amounted to $401,012 and $1,608,989, respectively.
NOTE
4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
First
Associated Investment Advisers, Inc. (the Adviser) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the oversight
of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the Funds investment portfolio. Pursuant to an advisory agreement with the
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser directs the daily operations of the Fund and supervises the performance of administrative
and professional services provided by others. As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Adviser,
the Fund pays the Adviser a fee, computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Funds average
daily net assets. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Adviser earned advisory fees of $354,558.
Pursuant
to a written contract (the Waiver Agreement), the Adviser has agreed at least until July 31, 2020, to waive a portion
of its advisory fee and to reimburse the Fund for other expenses to the extent necessary so that the total operating expenses
incurred by the Fund (exclusive of any front-end contingent or deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees
and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes, and extraordinary expenses,
such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund
service providers (other than the Adviser))) do not exceed 1.75% of the Funds daily average net assets (the expense
limitation). For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Adviser waived $133,023 in fees under the Waiver Agreement.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
If
the Adviser waives any fee or reimburses any expense pursuant to the Waiver Agreement, and the Funds operating expenses
are subsequently less than the lesser of the expense limitation then in place or in place at time of waiver, the Adviser shall
be entitled to reimbursement by the Fund for such waived fees or reimbursed expenses provided that such reimbursement does not
cause the Funds expenses to exceed the expense limitation. If the Funds operating expenses subsequently exceed the expense
limitation, the reimbursements shall be suspended. The Adviser may seek reimbursement only for expenses waived or paid by it during
the three years prior to such reimbursement; provided, however, that such expenses may only be reimbursed to the extent they were
waived or paid after the date of the Waiver Agreement (or any similar agreement). As of March 31, 2020, the total amount of expense
reimbursement subject to recapture amounted to $393,781, of which $129,500 will expire on March 31, 2021, $131,258 will expire
on March 31, 2022, and $133,023 will expire on March 31, 2023.
Distributor
– The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, the Trusts Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (the Plan)
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that a monthly service and/or distribution fee is calculated by the
Fund at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets and is paid to Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (NLD
or the Distributor) to provide compensation for ongoing distribution-related activities or services and/or maintenance
of the Funds shareholder accounts, not otherwise required to be provided by the Adviser. Pursuant to the Plan, $70,912
in distribution fees were incurred during the year ended March 31, 2020.
In
addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Fund as follows:
Gemini
Fund Services, LLC (GFS) – GFS, an affiliate of the Distributor, provides administration, fund accounting,
and transfer agent services to the Fund. Pursuant to a separate servicing agreement with GFS, the Fund pays GFS customary fees
for providing administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Fund. Certain officers of the Trust are also
officers of GFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Fund for serving in such capacities.
Northern
Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) – NLCS, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance
Officer to the Fund, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Fund. Under
the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from the Fund. An officer of the Fund is also an officer of NLCS, and
is not paid any fees directly by the Fund for serving in such capacity.
Blu
Giant, LLC (Blu Giant) – Blu Giant, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and
filing services as well as print management services for the Fund on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu
Giant receives customary fees from the Fund.
Effective
February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of GFS and its affiliated companies including NLD,
NLCS and Blu Giant (collectively, the Gemini Companies), sold its interest in the Gemini Companies to a third party
private equity firm that contemporaneously acquired Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (an independent mutual fund administration firm)
and its affiliates (collectively, the Ultimus Companies). As a result of these separate transactions, the Gemini
Companies and the Ultimus Companies are now indirectly owned through a common parent entity, The Ultimus Group, LLC.
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
NOTE
5 – DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL
The
tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 were as follows:
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2020
|
|
|
March 31, 2019
|
|
Ordinary Income
|
|
$
|
181,389
|
|
|
$
|
194,694
|
|
Long-Term Capital Gain
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Return of Capital
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
$
|
181,389
|
|
|
$
|
194,694
|
|
As
of March 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings/ (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
Post October Loss
|
|
|
Capital Loss
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Ordinary
|
|
|
Long-Term
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
Carry
|
|
|
Book/Tax
|
|
|
Appreciation/
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Late Year Loss
|
|
|
Forwards
|
|
|
Differences
|
|
|
(Depreciation)
|
|
|
Earnings/(Deficits)
|
|
$
|
157,502
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(4,753
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,107,503
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,591,797
|
|
|
$
|
637,043
|
|
The
difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation and accumulated net realized losses from security transactions
is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
Capital
losses incurred after October 31 within the fiscal year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the following fiscal
year for tax purposes. The Fund incurred and elected to defer such capital losses of $4,753.
At
March 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains
and utilized capital loss carryforwards as follows:
Non-Expiring
|
|
|
Non-Expiring
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLCF
|
|
Short-Term
|
|
|
Long-Term
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Utilized
|
|
$
|
2,107,503
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,107,503
|
|
|
$
|
29,154
|
|
Aggregate
Unrealized appreciation and depreciation – tax basis:
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net Unrealized
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Appreciation
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Appreciation
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(Depreciation)
|
|
$
|
21,389,537
|
|
|
$
|
4,345,070
|
|
|
$
|
(1,753,273
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,591,797
|
|
NOTE
6 – BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
The
beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumption of
control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of March 31, 2020, Constellation Trust Co. held approximately 48.59%
of the voting securities of the Fund for the benefit of others. The Fund has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of
the shares owned on record by Constellation Trust Co. are also owned beneficially by any party who would be presumed to control
the Fund.
NOTE
7 – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-13, which changes certain fair value measurement
disclosure requirements. The new ASU, in addition to other modifications and additions, removes the requirement to disclose the
amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, and the policy for the timing of transfers
between levels. For
The
Teberg Fund
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
at
March 31, 2020, continued
|
investment
companies, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is allowed and the Fund has adopted this amendment early.
NOTE
8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent
events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements
were issued. Management has determined that no events or transactions occurred requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial
statements.
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Trustees of Northern Lights Fund Trust III
and the Shareholders of The Teberg Fund
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Teberg Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest
in Northern Lights Fund Trust III (the Fund), including the schedule of investments, as of March 31,
2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial
highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial
statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Fund as of March 31, 2020, and the results of its operations for the year then ended and the changes in its net assets
and its financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial highlights for each of the years in the three-year period ended
March 31, 2018 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated May 30, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on such financials
highlights.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Funds financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error
or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.
As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose
of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express
no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as
of March 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
BBD,
LLP
We
have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the Northern Lights Fund Trust III since 2012.
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
May 27, 2020
The
Teberg Fund
|
Supplemental
Information (Unaudited)
|
at
March 31, 2020
|
Renewal
of Advisory Agreement – The Teberg Fund*
In
connection with a meeting held on November 19-20, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, discussed the renewal of the investment
advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) between the Adviser and the Trust, with respect to the Fund. In considering
the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board received materials specifically relating to the Fund and the Advisory Agreement.
The
Board relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and its own business judgment in determining the material factors to
be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The Boards conclusions
were based on an evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee
may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreement.
Nature,
Extent & Quality of Services. The Board noted the Adviser was founded in 1988 and had approximately $27 million in
assets under management. The Board reviewed the background information of key investment personnel responsible for the Fund and
noted the portfolio managers financial industry experience. The Board noted that the Adviser evaluated economic and market
indicators to assist in investment decision making and applied its own research of historical market patterns and theories to
identify what it believed to be the optimal time to enter into certain types of instruments. The Board discussed that the Adviser
took a conservative approach to risk management through portfolio sector diversification and the use of stop-loss orders when
appropriate. The Board remarked that the Adviser monitored compliance with the Funds investment limitations using pre-
and post-trade checklists and tracked each holding in the Funds portfolio using a software program. The Board observed
that the Adviser maintained an adequate risk management and compliance culture. It acknowledged that the Fund was one of the longest-operating
funds within its peer group and that the Adviser had developed and nurtured a loyal client base. The Board concluded that it expected
the Adviser to continue to provide satisfactory service to the Fund and its shareholders.
Performance. The
Board noted that the Fund received a three-star Morningstar rating and had outperformed its Morningstar category and peer
across all periods while underperforming the S&P 500 Total Return Index across all periods. The Board noted that the Fund
underperformed the benchmark because it held some cash and was not fully invested at all times. The Board recognized that the
Advisers conservative approach and the Funds ability to go defensive had been beneficial to the
Funds performance. The Board concluded the Adviser had provided reasonable results to the Funds
shareholders.
Fees
and Expenses. The Board noted the Advisers advisory fee of 1.25% for the Fund was tied with the highest fee of
its peer group and was the high of its Morningstar category. The Board discussed that the Funds net expense ratio of 1.75%
was higher than the peer group and Morningstar category averages and medians, but lower than the highs of each. The Board appreciated
that the Adviser did not benefit from material economies of scale as it managed one fund with less assets than most of its peers.
The Board discussed the Advisers position that it would be difficult to maintain quality service with further fee reductions.
Given these considerations, the Board concluded that the Advisers advisory fee for the Fund was not unreasonable.
Economies
of Scale. The Board discussed the size of the Fund and its prospects for growth, concluding that it had not yet achieved
meaningful economies that would necessitate the establishment of breakpoints. The Board noted the Adviser agreed to discuss the
implementation of breakpoints as the Funds assets grew and the Adviser achieved material economies of scale related to
its operation. The Board agreed to monitor and revisit the issue at the appropriate time.
Profitability.
The Board reviewed the Advisers profitability analysis in connection with its management of the Fund and acknowledged
that the Adviser had realized a slight profit. The Board concluded that the Advisers profitability was not excessive.
Conclusion.
Having requested and reviewed such information from the Adviser as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate
the terms of the Advisory Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board concluded that the advisory
fee for the Fund was not unreasonable, and that renewal of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its
shareholders.
|
*
|
Due
to timing of the contract renewal schedule, these deliberations may or may not relate to the current performance results of the
Fund.
|
The
Teberg Fund
|
Supplemental
Information (Unaudited)
|
at
March 31, 2020
|
The
Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five
years and other information, are shown below. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450,
Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, P.O.
Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.
Independent
Trustees
|
Name,
Address, Year
of Birth
|
Position(s)
Held
with
Registrant
|
Length
of
Service and
Term
|
Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
|
Number
of
Funds
Overseen In
The Fund
Complex*
|
Other
Directorships Held
During Past 5 Years**
|
James
U.
Jensen
1944
|
Trustee
|
Since
February 2012, Indefinite
|
Chief
Executive Officer, ClearWater Law & Governance Group, LLC (an operating board governance consulting company) (since 2004).
|
1
|
Northern
Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2012); Wasatch Funds Trust, (since 1986); University
of Utah Research Foundation (April 2000 to May 2018); Agricon Global Corporation, formerly Bayhill Capital Corporation (large
scale farming in Ghana, West Africa) (October 2009 to June 2014).
|
Patricia
Luscombe
1961
|
Trustee
|
Since
January 2015, Indefinite
|
Managing
Director of the Valuations and Opinions Group, Lincoln International LLC (since August 2007).
|
1
|
Northern
Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Monetta Mutual Funds (since November 2015).
|
John
V.
Palancia
1954
|
Trustee,
Chairman
|
Trustee,
since February 2012, Indefinite; Chairman of the Board since May 2014.
|
Retired
(since 2011); Formerly, Director of Global Futures Operations Control, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (1975-2011).
|
1
|
Northern
Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011); Northern
Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012).
|
Mark
H. Taylor 1964
|
Trustee,
Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
Since
February 2012, Indefinite
|
Director,
Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida (since August 2019); Chair, Department
of Accountancy and Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve
University (2009-2019); Vice President-Finance, American Accounting Association (2017- 2020); President, Auditing Section
of the American Accounting Association (2012-15); AICPA Auditing Standards Board Member (2009-2012). Former Academic Fellow,
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (2005-2006).
|
1
|
Northern
Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007); Northern
Lights Variable Trust (since 2007); Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010).
|
Jeffery
D. Young 1956
|
Trustee
|
Since
January 2015, Indefinite
|
Co-owner
and Vice President, Latin America Agriculture Development Corp. (since May 2015); Formerly Asst. Vice President -Transportation
Systems, Union Pacific Railroad Company (June 1976 to April 2014); President, Celeritas Rail Consulting (since June 2014).
|
1
|
Northern
Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); PS Technology, Inc. (2010-2013).
|
|
*
|
As
of March 31, 2020, the Trust was comprised of 36 active portfolios managed by 15 unaffiliated investment advisers. The term Fund
Complex applies only to the Fund. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust for
investment purposes, nor does it share the same investment adviser with any other series.
|
|
**
|
Only
includes directorships held within the past 5 years in a company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or any company registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
|
3/31/20-NLFT
III-v1
The
Teberg Fund
|
Supplemental
Information (Unaudited)
|
at
March 31, 2020 continued
|
Officers
of the Trust
Name,
Address,
Year of Birth
|
Position(s)
Held
with
Registrant
|
Length
of
Service and
Term
|
Principal
Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Richard
Malinowski
1983
|
President
|
Since
August 2017, indefinite
|
Senior
Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (since 2020); Senior Vice President Legal Administration,
Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2020); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2017) and AVP and Staff Attorney (2012-2016).
|
Brian
Curley
1970
|
Treasurer
|
Since
February 2013, indefinite
|
Vice
President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2014); Senior
Controller of Fund Treasury, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2008-2012); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Morgan Stanley
(1999-2008).
|
Eric
Kane
1981
|
Secretary
|
Since
November 2013, indefinite
|
Vice
President and Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2020); Vice President and Counsel, Gemini Fund Services,
LLC (2017- 2020), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014-2017), Staff Attorney, Gemini Fund Services, LLC
(2013-2014), Law Clerk, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009-2013), Legal Intern, NASDAQ OMX (2011), Hedge Fund Administrator,
Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008), Mutual Fund Accountant/Corporate Action Specialist, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006-2008).
|
William
Kimme
1962
|
Chief
Compliance Officer
|
Since
February 2012, indefinite
|
Senior
Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011); Due Diligence and Compliance Consultant, Mick
& Associates (2009-2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (2000-2009).
|
The
Funds Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available free of charge,
upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-866-209-1964.
3/31/20-NLFT
III-v1
PRIVACY
NOTICE
Rev.
February 2014
FACTS
|
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III 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
|
■
|
Purchase History
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
■
|
Assets
|
■
|
Account Balances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
■
|
Retirement Assets
|
■
|
Account Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
■
|
Transaction History
|
■
|
Wire Transfer Instructions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
■
|
Checking Account Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
|
|
|
How?
|
All financial companies need to share customers personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
|
Reasons
we can share your personal information
|
Does
Northern
Lights Fund
Trust III 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
dont share.
|
For
joint marketing with other financial companies
|
No
|
We
dont share.
|
For our affiliates
everyday business purposes –
information about your
transactions and experiences
|
No
|
We
dont share.
|
For our affiliates
everyday business purposes –
information about your
creditworthiness
|
No
|
We
dont share.
|
For
nonaffiliates to market to you
|
No
|
We
dont share.
|
Questions?
|
Call
(402) 493-4603
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who we are
|
Who is providing this notice?
|
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
|
What we do
|
How
does Northern Lights Fund Trust III 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 Northern Lights Fund Trust III collect my personal information?
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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
■ Tells us who receives the money
■ Show your government-issued ID
■ Show your drivers license
We also collect your personal information from other companies.
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Why
cant I limit all sharing?
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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.
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Definitions
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Affiliates
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Companies related by common ownership or
control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
■ Northern
Lights Fund Trust III does not share with our affiliates.
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Nonaffiliates
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Companies not related by common ownership
or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies
■ Northern
Lights Fund Trust III does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
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Joint
marketing
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A formal agreement between nonaffiliated
financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
■ Northern Lights Fund Trust III doesnt jointly market.
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Page Intentionally Left Blank
PROXY
VOTING POLICY
Information
regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 as
well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies is available without
charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-209-1964 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC)
website at http://www.sec.gov.
PORTFOLIO
HOLDINGS
The
Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form
N-PORT. Form N-PORT is available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. The information on Form N-PORT is available
without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-209-1964.
INVESTMENT
ADVISER
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First
Associated Investment Advisors, Inc.
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5161
Miller Trunk Highway
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Duluth,
Minnesota 55811
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ADMINISTRATOR
|
Gemini
Fund Services, LLC
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4221
North 203rd Street, Suite 100
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Elkhorn,
Nebraska 48022
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