Post-effective Amendment (investment Company, Rule 485(b)) (485bpos)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2014
1933 Act Registration File No. 033-68666
1940 Act File No. 811-8004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý

Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ ¨

Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 ý

and

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. 156 ý

_____________________

ASTON FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

120 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code (312) 268-1400

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Stuart D. Bilton, President

Aston Funds

120 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Copy to:

Deborah B. Eades

Vedder Price P.C.

222 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60601

_____________________

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

ý immediately upon filing pursuant to rule 485(b)

¨ on (date) pursuant to rule 485(b)

¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to rule 485(a)(1)

¨ on (date) pursuant to rule 485(a)(1)

¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to rule 485(a)(2)

¨ on (date) pursuant to rule 485(a)(2)

If appropriate, check the following box:

¨ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment

Aston Funds

ASTON/Pictet International Fund

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund

Prospectus

April 9, 2014

A diversified, actively managed fund family with a process-driven approach to investing.


	Ticker Symbols
	Class N	Class I
ASTON/Pictet International Fund	APINX	APCTX
ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund	AGCNX	AGCDX

Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these or any mutual fund’s shares or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a crime.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
ASTON/Pictet International Fund		2

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund		5

Additional Information Regarding Investment Strategies		8

Portfolio Holdings		10

Investment Terms		11

Management of the Funds		13

Investment Adviser		13
Subadvisers		13
Portfolio Managers		14
Related Performance		15

Shareholder Information		17

Opening an Account		17
Exchanging Shares		19
Selling/Redeeming Shares		19
Transaction Policies		22
Account Policies and Dividends		24
Additional Investor Services		25
Distribution and Services Plan 12b-1 Fees		25
Payments to Intermediaries		25
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions		26

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes		27

Financial Highlights		28

General Information		29

ASTON/Pictet International Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

SHAREHOLDER FEES

(fees paid directly from your investment)

	Class N Shares			Class I Shares
Redemption Fee (on shares held less than 90 days, as a percentage of amount redeemed)		2.00	%		2.00	%

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
	Class N Shares			Class I Shares
Management Fees		0.90	%		0.90	%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.25	%	None
Other Expenses		1.31	% (a)		1.31	% (a)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses		0.01	% (a)		0.01	% (a)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		2.47	%		2.22	%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement		(1.06	)% (b)		(1.06	)% (b)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement		1.41	% (b)		1.16	% (b)

(a)

The average expense ratios of other expenses and the acquired fund fees and expenses in the table are estimates.

(b)

The investment adviser is contractually obligated to waive management fees and/or reimburse ordinary operating expenses, not including investment-related costs (such as brokerage commissions), interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, through April 9, 2015, to the extent that operating expenses exceed 1.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class N shares and 1.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class I shares (the “Operating Expense Limit”). Prior to April 9, 2015, the arrangement may be amended or terminated for a class only by a vote of the Board of Trustees of Aston Funds. For a period of up to three years from the end of the fiscal year during which fees were waived or expenses were reimbursed, the investment adviser is entitled to be reimbursed by the Fund for such fees waived and expenses reimbursed from the commencement of operations through the completion of the first three full fiscal years to the extent that the Fund’s Total Annual Operating Expenses for a class, not including investment-related costs (such as brokerage commissions), interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, remains at or below the Operating Expense Limit after such reimbursement.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example shows the operating expenses you would incur as a shareholder if you invested $10,000 in the Fund over the time periods shown and you redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes that the average annual return was 5%, operating expenses remained the same and expenses were capped for one year in each period.

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:

	1 Year		3 Years
Class N Shares	$	154	$	688
Class I Shares		128		612

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not available.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of non-U.S. companies. The Fund emphasizes companies whose principal activities are located in countries represented by the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index. Companies generally may be considered to have principal activities in a country if they are organized or headquartered in such country or their stock principally trades in markets located in such country. The Fund may invest to a more limited extent in other developed countries such as the United States or Canada. The Fund may also invest in securities of companies that are listed, or whose principal business activities are located, in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest in companies of all sizes, including small- and mid-cap companies.

Prospectus | 2

The portfolio managers seek to build a portfolio of companies that trade below their underlying (“intrinsic”) value at the time of purchase. To identify such stocks, the investment process utilizes bottom-up fundamental analysis that focuses on future growth in cash generation and cash returns on the capital employed in the business. Because the portfolio is focused on both growth and valuation, the portfolio has Growth at a Reasonable Price (“GARP”) characteristics. The portfolio managers calculate an intrinsic value for candidate companies using complimentary long-term forecasting techniques to establish an investment thesis with clearly identified investment drivers. The portfolio managers build and maintain a portfolio that seeks to combine high conviction ideas, while diversifying their underlying investment drivers. The Fund’s regional and country allocations, industry sector allocations and market capitalization ranges are a result of the bottom-up selection process. The Fund does not expect to purchase or sell foreign currencies to hedge against declines in the U.S. dollar or to lock in the value of foreign securities that it purchases. The portfolio managers adhere to a sell discipline by monitoring performance, target price levels, risk and the overall investment case of the stocks in the portfolio.

The countries represented by the MSCI EAFE Index currently include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland,

Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. The following is a summary of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.

Emerging Market Risk. In addition to the general foreign securities risks, investing in emerging market countries is subject to a number of risks, including:


■	Economic structures that are less diverse and mature than those of developed countries
■	Less stable political systems and less developed legal systems
■	National policies that may restrict foreign investment
■	Wide fluctuations in the value of investments
■	Smaller securities markets, making investments less liquid
■	Special custody arrangements

Foreign Securities Risk. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations in addition to those typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. The securities of foreign companies may be less liquid and their prices may fluctuate more widely than those traded in U.S. markets. Foreign companies and markets may also have less governmental supervision. There may be difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations against, and little public information about, the companies. Trades typically take more time to settle and clear, and the costs of buying and selling foreign securities are generally higher than the costs associated with buying and selling securities traded in U.S. markets.

The values of the securities held by the Fund may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of a holding denominated in that currency increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against the U.S. dollar, the value of the holding decreases in U.S. dollar terms. Changes in economic, tax or foreign investment policies, or other political, governmental or economic actions can adversely affect the value of the securities in the Fund. In foreign countries, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and other regulatory practices and requirements are generally different from those required for U.S. companies. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

GARP Style Risk. GARP investing involves buying stocks that have a reasonable price/earnings ratio in relationship to a company’s earnings growth rate. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are generally more sensitive to investor perceptions and market moves. During periods of growth stock underperformance, the Fund’s performance may suffer.

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in securities of issuers located in a single country or geographic region, any changes to the regulatory, political, social or economic conditions in such country or geographic region will generally have greater impact on the Fund than such changes would have on a more geographically diversified fund, and may result in increased volatility and greater losses.

Growth Style Risk. Growth investing involves buying stocks that have relatively high price-to-earnings ratios. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are generally more sensitive to investor perceptions and market moves. During periods of growth stock underperformance, the Fund’s performance may suffer.

Liquidity Risk. When there is no willing buyer and a security cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may need to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the security at all. An inability to sell securities can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Less liquid securities are more difficult to dispose of at their recorded values and are subject to increased spreads and volatility.

Manager Risk. The performance of the Fund is dependent upon the investment adviser’s skill in selecting managers and the portfolio manager’s skill in making appropriate investments. As a result, the Fund may underperform its benchmark or its peers.

Market Risk. The Fund’s share price can move down in response to stock market conditions, changes in the economy or changes in a particular company’s stock price. An individual stock may decline in value even when the value of stocks in general is rising.

Prospectus | 3

New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly formed and does not have an operating history. If the Fund does not grow to a viable size due to market factors, performance or the inability to attract assets, the Fund may be liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk. Investing in securities of small-cap and mid-cap companies may involve greater risks than investing in securities of larger, more established issuers. Small-cap and mid-cap companies generally have limited product lines, markets and financial resources. Their securities may trade less frequently and in more limited volume than the securities of larger, more established companies. Also, small-cap and mid-cap companies are typically subject to greater changes in earnings and business prospects than larger companies. As a result, their stock prices may experience greater volatility and may decline significantly in market downturns.

Value Style Risk. Value investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. Typically, their valuation levels are less than those of growth stocks. Because different types of stocks go out of favor with investors depending on market and economic conditions, the Fund’s return may be adversely affected during a market downturn and when value stocks are out of favor.

FUND PERFORMANCE

The Fund does not have a full calendar year of operations. Performance information will be included in the Fund’s next annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

MANAGEMENT

Aston Asset Management, LP serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pictet Asset Management Limited (“PAM”) serves as the subadviser to the Fund. Aston Asset Management, LP will be known as Aston Asset Management, LLC following the purchase of its remaining outstanding equity by its parent company, which is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2014.

Mr. Fabio Paolini, CFA, Head of EAFE Equities at PAM, has served as the Lead Portfolio Manager since the Fund’s inception in April 2014. Ms. Swee-Kheng Lee, Senior Investment Manager of Developed Equities at PAM, and Mr. Benjamin Beneche, CFA, Investment Manager of Developed Equities at PAM, have served as a Co-Portfolio Managers since the Fund’s inception in April 2014.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Shares of the Fund may be purchased, exchanged, or redeemed on any business day by written request (Aston Funds, P.O. Box 9765, Providence, RI 02940), wire transfer, online access (www.astonfunds.com), or by telephone (800-992-8151). Investors who wish to purchase, exchange or redeem Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact the broker-dealer directly.


Class and Account Type	Minimum Initial Investment			Subsequent Investments
Class N —Regular Accounts		$	2,500	$50
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)		$	500	$50
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)		$	500	$50
Custodial Accounts for Minors (UGMA/UTMA)		$	500	$50
Class I —Institutional Accounts		$1 Million		$50

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income or capital gains for federal income tax purposes, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account such as a 401(k) or individual retirement account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred vehicles, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs, may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those plans or accounts.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

Prospectus | 4

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and current income.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

SHAREHOLDER FEES

(fees paid directly from your investment)

	Class N Shares			Class I Shares
Redemption Fee (on shares held less than 90 days, as a percentage of amount redeemed)		2.00	%		2.00	%

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
	Class N Shares			Class I Shares
Management Fees		0.80	%		0.80	%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.25	%	None
Other Expenses		4.09	% (a)		4.09	% (a)
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses		0.01	% (a)		0.01	% (a)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		5.15	%		4.90	%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement		(3.84	)% (b)		(3.84	)% (b)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement		1.31	% (b)		1.06	% (b)

(a)

The average expense ratios of other expenses and the acquired fund fees and expenses in the table are estimates.

(b)

The investment adviser is contractually obligated to waive management fees and/or reimburse ordinary operating expenses, not including investment-related costs (such as brokerage commissions), interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, through April 9, 2015, to the extent that operating expenses exceed 1.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class N shares and 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class I shares (the “Operating Expense Limit”). Prior to April 9, 2015, the arrangement may be amended or terminated for a class only by a vote of the Board of Trustees of Aston Funds. For a period of up to three years from the end of the fiscal year during which fees were waived or expenses were reimbursed, the investment adviser is entitled to be reimbursed by the Fund for such fees waived and expenses reimbursed from the commencement of operations through the completion of the first three full fiscal years to the extent that the Fund’s Total Annual Operating Expenses for a class, not including investment-related costs (such as brokerage commissions), interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, remains at or below the Operating Expense Limit after such reimbursement.

Example

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:

	1 Year		3 Years
Class N Shares	$	133	$	1,200
Class I Shares		108		1,128

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying equity securities of both U.S. and non-U.S. companies. In selecting securities for the Fund, the portfolio managers primarily rely on bottom-up analysis and seek to identify companies that they believe have the potential for growth of income and capital appreciation over time, with a particular emphasis on companies that the portfolio managers believe have the ability to grow earnings and a willingness to increase dividends. The portfolio managers believe that focusing on dividend-paying equity securities may tend to stabilize the volatility inherent in equity securities. The Fund may invest in companies of all sizes, but the investment process is expected to result in a bias towards larger capitalization companies. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 40% of its assets in equity securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will invest in at least 3 countries other than the United States.

Prospectus | 5

The Fund’s portfolio will generally be diversified across at least seven of the global sectors of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index. The Fund may invest in securities of companies that are listed, or whose principal business activities are located, in emerging market countries.

The Fund does not expect to purchase or sell foreign currencies to hedge against declines in the U.S. dollar or to lock in the value of foreign securities that it purchases. The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and royalty income trusts.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Emerging Market Risk. In addition to the general foreign securities risks, investing in emerging market countries is subject to a number of risks, including:


■	Economic structures that are less diverse and mature than those of developed countries
■	Less stable political systems and less developed legal systems
■	National policies that may restrict foreign investment
■	Wide fluctuations in the value of investments
■	Smaller securities markets, making investments less liquid
■	Special custody arrangements

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invest a substantial amount of its assets in securities of issuers located in a single country or geographic region, any changes to the regulatory, political, social or economic conditions in such country or geographic region will generally have greater impact on the Fund than such changes would have on a more geographically diversified fund, and may result in increased volatility and greater losses.

Investment Style Risk. Investment style risk is the risk that returns from dividend-paying larger capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Large-cap stocks tend to go through cycles of doing better - or worse - than other segments of the stock market or the stock market in general. These cycles have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years.

REIT Risk. Securities of REITs may be affected by changes in the values of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in investments in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type. Real estate is also affected by general economic conditions. When growth is slowing, demand for property decreases and prices may decline. Rising interest rates, which drive up mortgage and financing costs, can restrain construction and buying and selling activity, and may reduce the appeal of real estate investments. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations. A REIT’s return may be adversely affected when interest rates are high or rising. Distributions from REITs generally are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Prospectus | 6

Royalty Income Trust Risk. Investing in royalty income trusts involves risks not typically associated with publicly traded companies. Royalty income trusts are exposed to many of the same risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. Royalty income trusts are also subject to capital markets risk, which is the risk that they are unable to raise capital to execute their growth strategies.

FUND PERFORMANCE

The Fund does not have a full calendar year of operations. Performance information will be included in the Fund’s next annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

MANAGEMENT

Aston Asset Management, LP serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Guardian Capital LP (“Guardian”) serves as the subadviser to the Fund. Aston Asset Management, LP will be known as Aston Asset Management, LLC following the purchase of its remaining outstanding equity by its parent company, which is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2014.

Mr. Srikanth Iyer, Managing Director and Head of Systematic Strategies for Guardian, has served as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since the Fund’s inception in April 2014. Ms. Fiona Wilson, Portfolio Manager for Guardian’s Systematic Strategies Team, has served as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since the Fund’s inception in April 2014.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


Class and Account Type	Minimum Initial Investment			Subsequent Investments
Class N— Regular Accounts		$	2,500	$50
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)		$	500	$50
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)		$	500	$50
Custodial Accounts for Minors (UGMA/UTMA)		$	500	$50
Class I— Institutional Accounts		$1 Million		$50

TAX INFORMATION

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

Prospectus | 7

Additional Information Regarding Investment Strategies

Each Fund’s non-fundamental investment policies may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Each Fund generally intends to purchase securities for long-term investment. However, either Fund may at times purchase securities in anticipation of relatively short-term gains. A Fund may trim its position in a security or eliminate a security from its portfolio for various reasons, including in connection with the Fund’s liquidity requirements, as a result of the security having reached a target price ratio or yield objective determined by the Fund’s subadviser, the subadviser’s loss of confidence in the company’s management, the subadviser’s belief that another security offers a better opportunity, or by reason of an unforeseen economic or other development. Each Fund may also sell a security and simultaneously purchase the same or a comparable security to take advantage of short-term differentials in securities prices.

In addition to the principal investment strategies described in each Fund’s Summary, there may be times when a Fund uses secondary investment strategies in seeking to achieve its investment objective.

Information regarding such secondary strategies, as well as additional information regarding certain principal strategies is shown below.

Defensive Strategy

There may be times when a Fund takes temporary positions that may not follow its principal investment strategies for defensive reasons. This includes investing all or a portion of its total assets in cash or cash equivalents, such as money market securities and repurchase agreements. Although a Fund would do this in seeking to avoid losses, when following a defensive strategy the benefit from any market upswings could be reduced and a Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Depositary Receipts of Foreign Securities

Depositary receipts represent ownership of securities in foreign companies and are held in banks and trust companies. They can include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), which are traded on U.S. exchanges and are U.S. dollar-denominated, European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), which are traded on European exchanges and may not be denominated in the same currency as the security they represent, and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which are issued globally and evidence a similar ownership arrangement.

Although ADRs, EDRs and GDRs do not eliminate the risks inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers, which include market, political, currency and regulatory risk, by investing in ADRs, EDRs or GDRs rather than directly in securities of foreign issuers, a Fund may avoid currency risks during the settlement period for purchases or sales. In general, there is a large, liquid market in the United States for many ADRs. The information available for ADRs is subject to the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards of the domestic market or exchange on which they are traded, in which standards are more uniform and more exacting than those to which many foreign issuers may be subject. The Funds may invest in ADRs sponsored or unsponsored by the issuer of the underlying security. In the case of an unsponsored ADR, a Fund may bear higher expenses and encounter greater difficulty in receiving shareholder communications than it would have with a sponsored ADR.

Derivatives

The Funds may invest in derivatives primarily for hedging purposes, to maintain liquidity or in anticipation of changes in portfolio composition. Derivatives have a return tied to a formula based upon an interest rate, index, price of a security, or other measurement. Derivatives include options, futures, forward contracts, swaps and related products.

Hedging involves using derivatives to offset a potential loss in one position by establishing an interest in an opposite position. Any loss generated by the derivative should be offset by gains in the hedged investment. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. A Fund may realize a loss if interest rates, security prices or indices move in the opposite direction than the subadviser anticipates.

Derivatives will only be used when consistent with the objectives and strategy of a Fund. The subadviser will ensure that the effective market exposure resulting from the use of derivatives will not exceed the total amount available for investment within a Fund (i.e., the use of derivatives will not result in a Fund being leveraged). All derivative positions will be covered by that Fund’s existing assets.

Equity Securities

Equity securities represent a share of an issuer’s earnings and assets, after the issuer pays its liabilities. A Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their values may increase with the value of the issuer’s business. Types of equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and rights, convertible securities and other securities that represent underlying local shares, such as depositary receipts.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

An ETF is an investment company, shares of which are traded on a securities exchange. Typically, an ETF seeks to track the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio shares of all the companies, or a representative sample of the companies, that are components of a particular index. When a Fund invests in another investment company, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the other investment company’s fees and expenses, including operating, registration, trustee, licensing and marketing, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

Prospectus | 8

Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)

An ETN is a security that combines aspects of a bond and an ETF. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index or a specific strategy, and can be held to maturity as a debt security. ETNs are traded on a securities exchange. The value of an ETN is based on its reference index or strategy and the credit quality of the issuer. ETNs are subject to the additional risk that they may trade at a premium or discount to values attributable to their reference indices. When a Fund invests in an ETN, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the ETN’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities are securities issued by corporations, governments and other issuers located outside the United States. Foreign securities are subject to risks in addition to the risks associated with the securities of issuers located in the United States.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks are stocks that typically pay dividends at a specified rate. Dividends are paid on preferred stocks before they are paid on common stocks. In addition, preferred stockholders have priority over common stockholders as to the proceeds from the liquidation of a company’s assets, but are subordinate to the other claims of all creditors.

REITs

REITs are generally publicly traded entities that invest in office buildings, apartment complexes, industrial facilities, shopping centers and other commercial spaces. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Equity REITs invest primarily in real estate that produces income from rentals. Mortgage REITs invest primarily in mortgages and derive their income from interest payments. REITs usually specialize in a particular type of property and may concentrate their investments in particular geographical areas. REITs issue stocks and most REIT stocks trade on the major stock exchanges or over-the-counter.

Royalty Income Trusts

Royalty income trusts can be organized in a variety of ways in the United States, Canada and other countries. Beneficial units in royalty income trusts generally represent interests in profits derived from the production of oil or other minerals.

Rule 144A Securities

Rule 144A securities are restricted securities that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Investing in Rule 144A securities may increase the illiquidity of a Fund’s investments in the event that an adequate trading market does not exist for these securities.

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. government securities are fixed income obligations of the U.S. government and its various agencies. U.S. government securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (bills, notes and bonds) are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. Some government securities not issued by the U.S. Treasury also carry the government’s full faith and credit backing on principal or interest payments. Some securities are backed by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and some are backed only by the credit of the issuing organization. All government securities are considered creditworthy. This guarantee, however, does not extend to the market prices for such securities, which can fluctuate.

Prospectus | 9

Summary of Investment Strategies

Portfolio Holdings

A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) and on our website at www.astonfunds.com.

Prospectus | 10

Investment Terms

The following is a list of terms with definitions that you may find helpful as you read this prospectus.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs represent ownership of securities in foreign stock and are issued by U.S. banks and trust companies. ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and are traded on a U.S. exchange.

Bottom-Up Analysis. Bottom-up analysis is an investment approach in which securities are researched and chosen on their individual characteristics with less consideration given to economic or market cycles.

Derivative. A derivative is a security whose price is dependent upon or derived from one or more underlying assets. The derivative itself is merely a contract between two or more parties.

Diversification. Diversification is the practice of investing in a broad range of securities in an effort to reduce risk.

EAFE Countries. EAFE countries are countries located in Europe, Australasia and the Far East.

Emerging Markets. Emerging markets are countries whose economies and securities markets are considered by the World Bank to be emerging or developing. Emerging market countries may be located in such regions as Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Equity Securities. Equity securities are ownership interests in corporations and other entities, such as common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights and warrants.

European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). EDRs represent ownership of securities in foreign stock and are issued by a foreign bank. EDRs are generally denominated in foreign currencies and may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities they represent. Generally, EDRs are designed for use in the foreign securities markets.

Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). An ETF is an investment company, shares of which are traded on an exchange. An ETF seeks to track the performance of the contents of an index or a representative sample of the securities in a certain area of the market.

Exchange-Traded Note (ETN). An ETN is a security that combines aspects of a bond and an ETF. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index or a specific strategy, and can be held to maturity as a debt security.

Expense Ratio. A fund’s expense ratio is its cost of doing business, expressed as a percentage of its net assets and disclosed in a prospectus.

Free Cash Flow. Free cash flow represents the cash that a company is able to generate after laying out the money required to maintain or expand its asset base (i.e., its costs of capital).

Fundamental Analysis. Fundamental analysis involves assessing the intrinsic value of a particular stock or group of stocks based on an analysis of the balance sheet and income statement of the company. Fundamental analysis considers various historical financial statistics or metrics such as return on equity, free cash flow, price-to-earnings ratio, and similar measures to determine future trends in a company’s stock.

Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). GDRs represent ownership of securities in foreign stock and are issued by a foreign bank. GDRs are generally denominated in foreign currencies and may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities they represent. Generally, GDRs are designed for use in the foreign securities markets.

Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP). GARP investing involves buying stocks that have a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio in relationship to a company’s earnings growth rate.

Growth Style Investing. Growth style investing involves buying stocks of companies with above-average growth rates. Typically, growth stocks are the stocks of the fastest growing companies in the most rapidly growing sectors of the economy. Valuations for growth stocks will generally be higher than those of value stocks.

Investment Objective. A fund’s investment objective is the goal that an investor and a mutual fund seek together. Examples include current income, total return, long-term capital growth, etc.

Issuer. An issuer is a company, municipality or government agency that issues a security, such as a stock, bond or money market security.

Large-Cap Stocks. Large-cap stocks are stocks issued by large companies. Unless otherwise defined by a Fund, a large-cap company is defined as one having a market capitalization, at the time of acquisition, within the range of market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 1000 Index. Typically, large-cap companies are established, well-known companies; some may be multinationals.

Management Fee. The management fee is the amount that a mutual fund pays to the investment adviser for its services.

Market Capitalization. Market capitalization is the value of a corporation or other entity as determined by the market price of its securities.

Mid-Cap Stocks. Mid-cap stocks are stocks issued by mid-sized companies. Unless otherwise defined by a Fund, a mid-cap company is defined as one having a market capitalization, at the time of acquisition, within the range of market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Index.

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Mutual Fund. A mutual fund is an investment company that stands ready to buy back its shares at their current net asset value. Most mutual funds continuously offer new shares to investors.

Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV is the per share value of a mutual fund, found by subtracting a fund’s liabilities from its assets and dividing by the number of shares outstanding. Mutual funds calculate their NAVs at least once a day.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two.

Royalty Income Trusts. Royalty income trusts are trusts whose securities are listed on a securities exchange, generally in Canada or the U.S., and which control an underlying company whose business is the acquisition, exploitation, production and sale of oil and natural gas. Royalty income trusts generally pay out to unit holders the majority of the cash flow that they receive from the production and sale of underlying oil and natural gas reserves. The amount of distributions paid on royalty income trust units will vary from time based on production levels, commodity prices, royalty rates and certain expenses, deductions and costs, as well as on the distribution payouts ratio policies adopted.

Small-Cap Stocks. Small-cap stocks are stocks issued by smaller companies. Unless otherwise defined by a Fund, a small-cap company is defined as one having a market capitalization, at the time of acquisition, within the range of market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 Index.

Total Return. Total return is a measure of a fund’s performance that encompasses all elements of return: dividends, capital gains distributions and changes in net asset value. Total return is the change in value of an investment over a given period, assuming investment of dividends and capital gains distributions, expressed as a percentage of the initial investment.

12b-1 Fee. A 12b-1 fee is a mutual fund fee, named for the SEC rule that permits it, used to pay for distribution costs (such as advertising and commissions paid to dealers) and shareholder services. If a fund has a 12b-1 fee, it is found in the fee table of its prospectus. (See “Distribution and Services Plan 12b-1 Fees” in the “ Shareholder Information ” Section.)

Value Style Investing. Value style investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or believed to be trading for less than their intrinsic value. Generally, valuation levels for value stocks are lower than those of growth stocks.

Volatility. A historical measure of the variation in the price of a security. High volatility means that prices may change dramatically, while low volatility means that prices have not fluctuated dramatically in the past. Volatility is often used as a proxy for the risk of a security.

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Management of the Funds

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Aston Asset Management, LP

Aston Asset Management, LP (“Aston” or the “Adviser”), 120 N. LaSalle Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602, is the investment adviser to the Funds. Aston is a majority-owned and independently managed indirect subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”). More information on AMG is available in the SAI. Aston was formed in April 2006 and as of March 31, 2014, Aston had approximately $15.8 billion in assets under management.

Aston provides investment advisory, mutual fund administration and distribution-related services to Aston Funds. Aston manages each Fund by selecting one or more other investment managers (each, a “Subadviser”) to manage each Fund’s portfolio on a subadvisory basis. Aston is responsible for identifying and selecting each Fund’s investment managers, monitoring the performance of such managers, and terminating managers.

The SEC has granted an exemptive order to Aston and Aston Funds that allows Aston to allocate and reallocate the assets of a Fund between and among any subadvisers, pursuant to a ‘‘manager-of-managers’’ structure. Under this structure, Aston has the authority to retain and terminate subadvisers, engage new subadvisers and make material revisions to the terms of the subadvisory agreements subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, but not shareholder approval. In connection with the Transaction (as defined below), shareholders are being asked to approve a modified “manager-of-managers” structure, which would provide each Fund the flexibility to operate under any applicable exemptive order or future rule.

Matters Relating to AMG

AMG has determined to exercise its option to purchase the outstanding equity of Aston that is not currently owned by AMG, making Aston a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMG (the “Transaction”). As part of the Transaction, Aston will be converted to a Delaware limited liability company and change its name to “Aston Asset Management, LLC,” the interests in which will be held by AMG through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Managers Investment Group LLC (which will be rebranded as “AMG Funds”). Upon the closing of the Transaction, Aston will continue to serve as the investment adviser to the Funds.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), each Fund’s current investment advisory agreement provides for its automatic termination in the event of its assignment, which in turn causes the automatic termination of each subadvisory agreement. Because the completion of the Transaction may be deemed to constitute an “assignment” of each Fund’s current investment advisory agreement, the Board of Trustees has approved a new investment advisory agreement and subadvisory agreement with respect to each Fund on substantially the same terms as currently in effect, including the fee rates payable under the agreements. The Transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. Upon the closing of the Transaction, Aston will continue to serve as investment adviser and operate the Funds. Each Fund’s current Subadviser will continue to manage the Fund and the investment objective(s) and principal investment strategies of the Funds will remain the same. If the Transaction does not close, the current agreements will remain in full force and effect.

General

As the investment adviser to the Funds, Aston is paid an annual management fee based on the average daily net assets of each Fund. Out of its fee, Aston pays the Subadviser of each Fund. The investment advisory agreement with Aston may be terminated at any time by a Fund or by Aston upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. A Fund may effect termination by an action of the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of each Fund’s investment advisory agreement and subadvisory agreement, initially and in connection with the Transaction, will be available in the applicable Fund’s first shareholder report.

SUBADVISERS

The accompanying information highlights each Fund’s Subadviser and its portfolio managers.

ASTON/Pictet International Fund

Pictet Asset Management Limited, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET, United Kingdom is part of the Pictet Group, founded in Geneva in 1805. As of February 28, 2014, PAM had assets of approximately $151.6 billion under management.

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund

Guardian Capital LP, Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Suite 3100, Toronto, ON, M5L 1E8, is part of Guardian Capital Group Limited, founded in 1962 as Guardian Management Ltd. As of March 31, 2014, Guardian had assets of approximately $19.3 billion under management.

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

ASTON/Pictet International Fund

Fabio Paolini, CFA, Lead Portfolio Manager of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund, joined PAM in 1997 and is Head of EAFE Equities in the Developed Equities team, with a focus on European Equities. Mr. Paolini graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Siena in Italy. He obtained a CFPI/AZEK in 1996 and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Swee-Kheng Lee, PhD, Co-Portfolio Manager of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund, is Senior Investment Manager in the Developed Equities team at PAM, with specific responsibility for EAFE and Asian Equities. Ms. Lee joined PAM in 2007. Ms. Lee has a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and a PhD in Economics from Oxford University. She is also an Associate member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals (“UKSIP”).

Benjamin Beneche, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund, is an Investment Manager in the EAFE Equities team at PAM. Mr. Beneche joined PAM in 2008. Mr. Beneche graduated from York University with a first class honours degree in Economics and Economic History. He also holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund

Srikanth Iyer, Managing Director and Head of Systematic Strategies at Guardian serves as Portfolio Manager of the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund. Mr. Iyer joined Guardian in 2001 to help lead the development and implementation of its proprietary systematic equity portfolio management strategy. Mr. Iyer graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Bombay, has earned a Chartered Cost and Works Accountant (India) designation and an MBA (Applied Finance) from Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Fiona Wilson, MBA, CFA, portfolio manager for Systematic Strategies at Guardian serves as Portfolio Manager of the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund. Ms. Wilson joined Guardian in 2011 as a portfolio manager in the systematic strategies team. From 2006 to 2011, Ms. Wilson owned and operated an independent financial consulting practice. Ms. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1985 and obtained her Honours Bachelor of Commerce and MBA degrees from the University of Windsor in 1987 and 1989, respectively. Ms. Wilson holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and each of the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities of the applicable Fund is available in the SAI.

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PAM Related Performance

The following tables show the performance of a composite of all fully discretionary accounts managed by PAM in the EAFE Core strategy, as compared to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. As of December 31, 2013, the composite was comprised of 9 accounts and had assets of $2.9 billion. The investment objective, policies and strategies of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund are substantially similar to those of the accounts comprising the composite.

The performance of the composite does not represent the historical performance of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund and should not be considered indicative of future performance of the Fund. Results may differ because of, among other factors, differences in brokerage commissions, account expenses including management fees, the size of positions taken in relation to account size, diversification of the portfolio, timing of purchases and sales and availability of cash for new investment.

The performance of the composite presented below is not calculated using the same methodology as that which is prescribed for performance calculations used by registered investment companies. The net-of-fee returns below are calculated by deducting investment management fees and other fees and expenses (including sales loads) incurred by the accounts from gross returns. Gross returns are calculated in accordance with Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS ® ). In addition, the accounts for which performance is presented are not subject to the same types of expenses as the Fund. If the Fund’s fees and expenses had been used in calculating the composite’s performance, the performance of the composite would have been lower.

The accounts comprising the composite are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance results of the composite. The results for different products may vary.


Total Return					Average Annual Total Return
	Pictet EAFE Core		MSCI EAFE		(For the periods ended December 31, 2013)
Year end	Composite		Index			Pictet		MSCI
2013	24.35	%	22.78	%		EAFE Core		EAFE
2012	23.33	%	17.32	%	Period	Composite		Index
2011	(14.26	)%	(12.14	)%	One Year	24.35	%	22.78	%
2010	11.58	%	7.75	%	Five Years	15.67	%	12.44	%
2009	41.13	%	31.78	%	Ten Years	9.31	%	6.91	%
2008	(50.58	)%	(43.38	)%	Since Inception (a)	7.56	%	5.51	%
2007	12.52	%	11.17	%	(a) Since Inception return is computed from August 31, 1995.
2006	36.60	%	26.34	%
2005	21.93	%	13.54	%
2004	26.96	%	20.25	%

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Guardian Related Performance

The following tables show the performance of a composite of all fully discretionary accounts managed by Guardian in the Guardian Global Dividend strategy, as compared to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. As of December 31, 2013, the composite was comprised of 4 accounts and had assets of $399.0 million. The investment objective, policies and strategies of the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund are substantially similar to those of the accounts comprising the composite.

The performance of the composite does not represent the historical performance of the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund and should not be considered indicative of future performance of the Fund. Results may differ because of, among other factors, differences in brokerage commissions, account expenses including management fees, the size of positions taken in relation to account size, diversification of the portfolio, timing of purchases and sales and availability of cash for new investment.

In addition, the accounts comprising the composite are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code, which if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance results of the composite. The results for different products may vary.


Total Return					Average Annual Total Return
	Guardian		MSCI		(For the periods ended December 31, 2013)
	Global Dividend		World			Guardian
Year end	Composite		Index			Global		MSCI
2013	15.02	%	26.68	%		Dividend		World
2012	8.93	%	15.86		Period	Composite		Index
2011	2.75	%	(5.54	)%	One Year	15.02	%	26.68	%
2010	14.48	%	11.76	%	Five Years	14.79	%	15.02	%
2009	35.22	%	29.99	%	Since Inception (a)	5.65	%	3.84	%
2008	(34.34	)%	(40.71	)%	(a) Since Inception return is computed from January 1, 2007.
2007	12.25	%	9.04	%

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Shareholder Information

OPENING AN ACCOUNT

■	Read this prospectus carefully.
■	Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements for the applicable class of each Fund are as follows:

Class and Account Type	Minimum Initial Investment			Subsequent Investments
Class N —Regular Accounts		$	2,500	$50
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)		$	500	$50
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)		$	500	$50
Uniform Gift to Minor Accounts/Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)		$	500	$50
Class I —Institutional Accounts		$	1 Million	$50

■	Minimum initial investment requirements may be waived:
	■	For trustees of Aston Funds, employees of Aston, Aston’s employees’ spouses, employees of the Subadvisers, the Subadvisers’ employees’ spouses, and affiliates of Aston.
	■	By means of a “letter of intent” from an investor or financial adviser/consultant expressing intent to purchase shares over a specified period of time to meet the minimum investment requirement (Class I only).
	■	For certain omnibus accounts, mutual fund advisory platforms and registered investment advisors, banks, trust companies or similar financial institutions investing for their own accounts or for the accounts of their clients or customers for whom such institution is exercising investment discretion, or otherwise acting on behalf of clients or customers.
	■	For individual accounts of a financial intermediary that charges an ongoing fee to its customers for its services or offers Fund shares through a no-load network or platform, and for accounts invested through fee-based advisory accounts, certain “wrap” programs and similar programs with approved financial intermediaries.
	■	By Aston Funds at its discretion.
■	Balances within the same Fund may be aggregated to meet the Class I minimum initial investment requirements for the accounts of:
	■	Clients of a financial adviser/consultant or clients of a financial intermediary that acts in an advisory capacity.
	■	Immediate family members (i.e., an individual’s spouse, parents, children, siblings and in-laws).
	■	A corporation or other legal entity.
■	Complete the account application and carefully follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please call 800-992-8151. Remember to complete the “Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Authorization” section of the account application to establish your account privileges, and to avoid any delay and inconvenience of needing to request these in writing at a later date.
■	Purchase, exchange and redemption requests (each, an “Investment Request”) must be in “good order.” Investment Requests received in “good order” and processed before the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) market close, typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”), receive that business day’s closing NAV. Investment Requests received after that time receive the following business day’s NAV.
■	An Investment Request received that is not in “good order” will receive the NAV on the date the Investment Request is received in “good order.”

An Investment Request is in “good order” when:
■	The account number and Fund name are included;
■	The amount of the transaction is specified in dollars or shares;
■	Signatures of all owners appear exactly as they are registered on the account in original form, as photocopies are not acceptable;
■	Any required Medallion Signature Guarantees are included; and
■	Other supporting legal documents (as necessary) are present, including such “Requirements for Written Requests” as described later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.

Make your initial investment using the following table as a guideline. If your Investment Request is your initial purchase into a Fund, your account number will be assigned to you upon the Fund’s receipt of the Investment Request in “good order.”

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TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT		TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT ($50 MINIMUM)
	Buying Shares Through Your Financial Representative
■	Your financial representative is responsible for transmitting the order promptly.	■	Your financial representative is responsible for transmitting the order promptly.
	Buying Shares By Mail: Aston Funds ■ P.O. Box 9765 ■ Providence, RI 02940
	Buying Shares Via Overnight Delivery: Aston Funds ■ 4400 Computer Drive ■ Westborough, MA 01581
■	Complete and sign your application.	■	Return the investment slip from a statement with your check in the envelope provided and mail to us at the above address.
■	We accept checks, bank drafts and money orders for purchases. Checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. There is a charge of a minimum of $20 for returned checks. Please see “Other Features” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.
		■	We accept checks, bank drafts, money orders, wires and ACH for purchases. Checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. There is a charge of a minimum of $20 for returned checks. Please see “Other Features” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.

■	Make checks payable to Aston Funds and mail them to the address listed above.
		■	Make checks payable to Aston Funds and mail them to the address listed above.
■	We do not accept cash, travelers checks, temporary checks, post- dated checks, credit card courtesy checks or second/third party checks (which are checks made payable to someone other than the Funds, including you).	■
		■	We do not accept cash, travelers checks, temporary checks, post-dated checks, credit card courtesy checks or second/ third party checks (which are checks made payable to someone other than the Funds, including you).

■	If you anticipate the need to make subsequent trades via telephone or via bank transfer (wire transfer or ACH transfer), please indicate that in the “Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Authorizations” section of your account application.
		■	For purchases via bank wire transfer or ACH transfer, give the following wire/ACH information to your bank:
			The Bank of New York Mellon ABA #011001234 For: Aston Funds A/C 0000733296 FBO “Aston Fund Number” “Your Account Number” “Your Name”
■	If you have indicated on your account application that you intend to make trades in your account via ACH bank transfer, please verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH (Automated Clearing House).





		■	For your protection, our current Internet capabilities allow Class N and Class I shareholders to check balances and transfer monies only between Aston Funds in the same class. Please contact us via mail with a signed letter of instruction for all other changes to your account.
	Buying Shares By Phone: 800-992-8151
■	You cannot open an account over the phone.	■	When you are ready to add to your account, call Aston Funds and tell the representative the Fund name, account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the amount of your investment.
		■	To place your request with an Investor Services Associate, call between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday.
		■	Trade authorizations via telephone or via bank must be valid and on file, as indicated on the “Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Authorizations” section of your account application.
		■	For purchases via bank wire or ACH transfer, instruct your bank to wire or ACH transfer the amount of your investment and provide your bank with the below information. Your bank may charge a fee for wire or ACH transfers:

			The Bank of New York Mellon ABA #011001234 For: Aston Funds A/C 0000733296 FBO “Aston Fund Number” “Your Account Number” “Your Name”

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TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT		TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT ($50 MINIMUM)
	Buying Shares By Internet: www.astonfunds.com
(Class N shares only*)		■	Complete the “Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Authorization” section of your account application.
■	To open a new account you’ll need to provide bank account information plus the social security number and date of birth for each account owner and beneficiary.	■
		■	Self-register for online account access at www.astonfunds.com. Your social security number or employer identification number, account number and other security validating information will be required for registration.
■	Open an account online by completing the Aston Funds online account application.
	or	■	When you are ready to add to your account, access your account through Aston Funds’ website and enter your purchase instructions in the secure area for shareholders only called “Shareholder Account Access.” ACH purchases on the Internet may take 3 or 4 business days.
(Class N and Class I shares)
■	Download the appropriate account application(s) from the website. Complete and sign the application(s). Make your check payable to Aston Funds and mail it to the address under “ By Mail ” above.


		■	For your protection, our current Internet capabilities allow Class N and Class I shareholders to check balances and transfer monies only between Aston Funds in the same class. Please contact us via mail with a signed letter of instruction for all other changes to your account

*Class I shares are not eligible for the establishment of new accounts through the Aston Funds website.

The Funds or their agents will not be responsible for any unauthorized telephone or online order when reasonable procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor are followed.

Other Aston Funds and share classes are available through separate prospectuses. Please call 800-992-8151 for more information.

EXCHANGING SHARES

When you exchange your shares, you authorize the sale of your shares in one fund to purchase shares of another fund. In other words, you are requesting a sale and then a purchase. The exchange of your shares may be a taxable event for federal income tax purposes if the shares are not held in a tax-deferred account and may subject you to a redemption fee. After you have opened an account with us, you can exchange your shares within Aston Funds to meet your changing investment goals or other needs. This privilege is not designed for frequent trading (which may subject you to a redemption fee) and may be difficult to implement in times of drastic market changes.

You can exchange shares from one Aston Fund to another within the same class of shares. All exchanges to open new accounts must meet the minimum initial investment requirements. Exchanges may be made by mail, through the Internet or by phone at 800-992-8151 if you chose this option when you opened your account.

In addition, the Aston Money Market Fund – Bedford Shares of the Money Market Portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. offered in connection with the Aston Funds (the “Aston Money Market Fund”) is available as an exchange option for shareholders of the Aston Funds Class N shares. The Aston Money Market Fund prospectus, including applicable investment minimums, is available by contacting Aston Funds by mail, through the Internet or by phone at 800-992-8151. Please read the Aston Money Market Fund prospectus carefully before investing.

For federal income tax purposes, each exchange into a different fund is treated as a sale and a new purchase. As a result, an investor holding shares in a non-tax-deferred account is generally subject to federal income tax on any appreciation on the shares exchanged.

Aston Funds reserves the right to limit, impose charges upon, terminate or otherwise modify the exchange privilege by sending written notice to shareholders. All exchange requests must be in “good order.”

Aston Funds may allow eligible shareholders to convert their shares between classes within the same Fund, for example from Class I to Class N or vice versa, if offered in the shareholder’s state of residence. No sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchange. For federal income tax purposes, a same-fund exchange is not expected to result in the recognition by the investor of a capital gain or loss.

SELLING/REDEEMING SHARES

You can sell your shares to meet your changing investment goals or other needs. All redemption requests must be in “good order.” The following table shows guidelines for selling shares.

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Applies to		To sell some or all of your shares
Selling Through Your Financial Representative
■	All share classes and accounts of any type.	■	Your financial representative is responsible for transmitting the order promptly.
	Selling Shares By Mail: Aston Funds ■ P.O. Box 9765 ■ Providence, RI 02940
	Selling Shares Via Overnight Delivery: Aston Funds ■ 4400 Computer Drive ■ Westborough, MA 01581
■	All share classes and accounts of any type.	■	Write and sign a letter of instruction indicating the Fund name, Fund number, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.
■	Sales or redemptions of any size please see the “Medallion Signature Guarantees” section, later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section, to determine if a Medallion Signature Guarantee is required for your transaction.

		■	Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required. Signatures must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted. Please see “Selling Shares in Writing” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section).
		■	Mail to us at the address above.
		■	A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered. If you would like the check mailed to a different address, you must write a letter of instruction and have it Medallion Signature Guaranteed.
		■	Proceeds may also be sent by wire or ACH. Please see “Other Features” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.
	Selling Shares By Phone: 800-992-8151
■	Class N and Class I non-retirement accounts.	■	For automated service 24 hours a day using your touch-tone phone, call 800-992-8151.
■	Sales of up to $50,000 (for accounts with telephone account privileges).
		■	To place your request with an Investor Services Associate, call between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday.
		■	A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address to which the account is registered. If you would like the check to be mailed to a different address, you must write a letter of instruction and have it Medallion Signature Guaranteed.
		■	Proceeds may also be sent by wire or ACH. Please see “Other Features” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.
		■	The Funds reserve the right to refuse any telephone sales request and may modify the procedures at any time. The Funds make reasonable attempts to verify that telephone instructions are genuine, but you are responsible for any loss that you may incur from telephone requests.
	Selling Shares By Internet: www.astonfunds.com
■	Class N and Class I non-retirement accounts	■	Complete the “Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Authorization” section of your account application.
		■	Self-register online for account access at www.astonfunds.com. Your social security number or employer identification number, account number and other security validating information will be required for registration.
		■	When you are ready to redeem a portion of your account, access your account through Aston Funds’ website and enter your redemption instructions in the secure area for shareholders only called “Shareholder Account Access.” A check for the proceeds will be mailed to you at your address of record.
		■	Proceeds may also be sent by wire or ACH. Please see “Other Features” later in this “ Shareholder Information ” Section.

The Funds or their agents will not be responsible for any unauthorized telephone or online order when reasonable procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor are followed.

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Selling Shares in Writing

In certain circumstances, you must make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include a Medallion Signature Guarantee (which protects you against fraudulent orders) and additional items with your request, as shown in the table below.

Medallion Signature Guarantees

■	We require Medallion Signature Guarantees if:
	■	Your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;
	■	You are selling more than $50,000 worth of shares; or
	■	You are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address of record and payable to the registered owner(s) or other than by wire or ACH sent to the bank account of the registered owner(s).

■	What is a Medallion Signature Guarantee?

A Medallion Signature Guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature and may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution that participates in a Medallion Program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association.

Medallion Signature Guarantees help ensure that major transactions or changes to your account are in fact authorized by you. For example, we require a Medallion Signature Guarantee on written redemption requests for more than $50,000. The three recognized Medallion Programs are Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (NYSE MSP). Signature guarantees from financial institutions that do not participate in one of these programs will not be accepted.

A notary public stamp or seal cannot be substituted for a Medallion Signature Guarantee.


Seller	Requirements for Written Requests
Owners of individual, joint, sole proprietorship, UGMA/UTMA, or general partner accounts	■	Letter of instruction
	■	On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered, must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
Owners of corporate or association accounts	■	Letter of instruction
	■	On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered, must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
Owners or trustees of trust accounts	■	Letter of instruction
	■	On the letter, the signature of the trustee(s) must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted
	■	If the names of all trustees are not registered on the account, a copy of the trust document certified within the past 12 months
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
Joint tenancy shareholders whose co-tenants are deceased	■	Letter of instruction signed by the surviving tenant must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted
	■	Certified copy of death certificate
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
Executors of shareholder estates	■	Letter of instruction signed by executor must be in original form, as photocopies are not accepted
	■	Certified copy of order appointing executor
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or account types not listed above	■	Call 800-992-8151 for instructions
	■	Medallion Signature Guarantee , if applicable (see above)
IRA accounts	■	IRA distribution request form completed and signed. Call 800-992-8151 for a form, or download a form from our website, www.astonfunds.com.

In addition to the situations described above, Aston Funds may require Medallion Signature Guarantees in other circumstances based on the amount of the redemption request or other factors.

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Other Features

The following other features are also available to buy and sell shares of the Funds.

Wire. To purchase and sell shares via the Federal Reserve Wire System:

■	You must authorize Aston Funds to honor wire instructions before using this feature. Complete the appropriate section on the application when opening your account or call 800-992-8151 to add the feature after your account is opened. Call 800-992-8151 before your first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
■	To sell shares by wire, you must designate the U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption proceeds deposited.

For accounts with existing wire instructions, wire redemptions may be placed over the phone. Consult your banking institution for any fees it may charge associated with wire transfers. Any changes made to existing wire instructions will only be accepted with a Medallion Signature Guaranteed letter of instruction.

Automated Clearing House (ACH). To transfer money between your bank account and your Aston Funds account(s):

■	You must authorize Aston Funds to honor ACH instructions before using this feature. Complete the appropriate section on the application when opening your account or call 800-992-8151 to add the feature after your account is opened. Call 800-992-8151 before your first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
■	Most transfers are completed within three business days of your call. ACH purchases will receive the NAV calculated on the day the money is received.
■	There is no fee to your mutual fund account for this transaction.

Redemptions in Kind

The Funds have elected, under Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay sales proceeds in cash up to $250,000 or 1% of each Fund’s total value, whichever is less, during any 90-day period to any one shareholder.

Larger redemptions may be detrimental to existing shareholders. While we intend to pay all sales proceeds in cash, we reserve the right to make higher payments to you in the form of certain marketable securities of the Fund. This is called “redemption in kind.” You may need to pay certain sales charges related to a redemption in kind, such as brokerage commissions, when you sell the securities. For shares that are not held in a tax deferred account, redemptions in kind are taxable events for federal income tax purposes in the same manner as when the sales proceeds are paid in cash.

Involuntary Redemptions

To reduce expenses, we may convert your Fund position(s), redeem your Fund position(s) and/or close your Fund position(s) if the balance in your Fund position(s) falls below the required investment minimum due to transaction activity or for any other reason. We may convert your position(s) in Class I shares of a Fund to the respective Class N shares of that Fund, if applicable. Unless you did not meet the minimum initial investment, we will give you 30 days’ notice before we convert, redeem, or close your Fund position(s). This gives you an opportunity to purchase enough shares to raise the value of your Fund position(s) above the applicable minimum initial investment. We will not redeem or close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans because they do not meet the applicable minimum investment requirement. We may close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. If these account types are invested in Class I shares below the required minimum investment, we may convert the Fund position(s) to Class N. Additionally, we will not convert Class I accounts where there is an effective “letter of intent.” Redemption fees will not be assessed on involuntary redemptions or involuntary conversions.

TRANSACTION POLICIES

Calculating Share Price

When you buy, exchange, or sell shares, the NAV next determined is used to price your purchase, exchange or sale. The NAV for each share class of a Fund is determined each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. ET) by dividing the net assets of the class by the number of its shares outstanding. Currently, the Funds observe the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Generally, securities are priced using market quotes or, for debt securities, evaluated prices obtained from independent pricing services. If market quotations are not available or are deemed unreliable, securities are valued at fair value as determined by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines adopted and periodically reviewed by the Board of Trustees. These circumstances may arise, for instance, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange or market on which a security is traded closes early, or the trading volume in a security is limited, calling into question the reliability of market quotations. In such a case, a Fund’s value for a security may be different from the last quoted market price. Fair value pricing for certain types of securities in which a Fund may invest, including prices received from pricing services, is inherently a process of estimates and judgments. Changes in the value of portfolio investments priced at fair value may be less frequent and of greater magnitude than changes in the price of securities that trade frequently in the market place, resulting in potentially greater net asset value volatility. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the fair value determined for a particular security may be materially different from the value realized upon such security’s sale.

Quotations of foreign securities denominated in foreign currency are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents using foreign exchange quotations received from independent dealers. Events affecting the values of portfolio securities that occur between the time when their prices are determined and the close of regular trading on the NYSE may not be reflected in the calculation of NAV. If events materially affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at fair value as determined by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Aston Funds Board of Trustees.

Prospectus | 22

The Funds may invest in certain securities which are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends and other days when the Funds do not price their shares. Therefore, the value of a Fund’s holdings may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem its shares.

In addition, changes in values in the U.S. markets subsequent to the close of a foreign market may affect the values of securities traded in the foreign market. Under the Aston Funds’ fair value pricing policies, the values of foreign securities may be adjusted from their last closing prices if such movements in the U.S. market exceed a specified threshold. As a result of the foregoing, it is possible that fair value prices will be used by a Fund to a significant extent. The Funds have retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service to assist in the fair valuation of securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign exchange and the time as of which Fund shares are priced.

Execution of Requests

Each Fund is open on each business day that the NYSE is open for trading. The NYSE is not open on weekends or national holidays. Investment requests are executed at the NAV next calculated after Aston Funds or an authorized broker or designee receives your mail, telephone or Internet request in “good order.” Purchase orders and redemption requests for each Fund must be received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. ET) for same day processing. On days when the Federal Reserve Cash Settlement System closes earlier than normal, these times may be accelerated. Sales proceeds are normally sent the next business day, but are always sent within seven days of receipt of a request in “good order.” Brokers and their authorized designees are responsible for forwarding purchase orders and redemption requests to the Funds.

Shares of each Fund can also be purchased through broker-dealers, banks and trust departments that may charge you a transaction or other fee for their services. These fees are not charged if you purchase shares directly from Aston Funds.

A Fund may be required to “freeze” or redeem your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

Aston Funds reserves the right to:

■	Refuse any purchase or exchange of shares if it could adversely affect a Fund or its operations;
■	Suspend the offering of Fund shares;
■	Change the initial and additional investment minimums or waive these minimums for any investor;
■	Delay sending you your sales proceeds for up to 15 days if you purchased shares by check. A minimum charge of $20 will be assessed if any check used to purchase shares is returned; and
■	Change, withdraw or waive various services, fees and account policies.

Customer Identification Program

Federal law requires Aston Funds to obtain, verify and record identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with Aston Funds. An investor may be an individual or a person other than an individual (such as a corporation, partnership or trust). Such identifying information may include the name, residential or business street address, principal place of business, local office or other physical location (for a person other than an individual), date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law and its customer identification program, Aston Funds reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in Aston Funds or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares at the current share price and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified within 90 days regardless of the type of account. This may cause shares in the investor’s account to be redeemed at a loss. If Aston Funds liquidates your account due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures, the liquidation may be taxable to you for federal income tax purposes. Aston Funds and its agents will not be responsible for any loss or adverse tax effect in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

Short-Term and Excessive Trading

The Funds are designed for long-term investors. The Funds discourage and do not knowingly accommodate short-term and excessive trading. Such trading increases brokerage and administrative costs, may result in increased taxable gains to remaining shareholders and may disrupt portfolio management. For example, a Fund may be unable to effectively invest the proceeds from certain purchase or exchange requests under certain market conditions or may incur losses on the sale of investments. These risks may be more pronounced for a Fund if it invests in securities that are more difficult to value or that are susceptible to pricing arbitrage (e.g., foreign securities, high yield securities and small cap securities). Thus, such trading may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and result in dilution to long-term shareholders.

In an effort to protect long-term shareholders, Aston Funds’ Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that seek to deter short-term trading and excessive trading and to detect such trading activity at levels that may be detrimental to a Fund. These policies and procedures include the following:

■	The Funds have adopted a redemption fee of 2.00% for shares that are held less than 90 calendar days;
■	The Funds have adopted certain fair valuation practices intended to protect each Fund from time zone arbitrage with respect to foreign securities and other trading practices that seek to exploit stale prices; and the Funds reserve the right to:

Prospectus | 23

■	Reject any purchase, including exchange purchases that could adversely affect the Funds or their operations.
■	Limit, terminate or otherwise modify the exchange privilege of any shareholder deemed to be engaged in activities that may be detrimental to the Funds.
■	Reject any purchase, including exchange purchases, from investors if there appears to be evidence of short-term or excessive trading.
■	Permanently prevent future purchases and exchanges from occurring in accounts where short-term or excessive trading is apparent.
■	Delay sending redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally applies in cases of very large redemptions, excessive trading, or during unusual market conditions).
■	Suspend redemptions as permitted by law (e.g., in emergency situations).

In making the determination to exercise these rights, a Fund may consider an investor’s trading history in the Aston Funds and accounts under common ownership or control.

The Funds seek to employ reasonable measures to detect short-term and excessive trading at levels that may be detrimental to the Funds. Accordingly, the Funds use certain materiality and volume thresholds in applying the policies and procedures, but otherwise seek to apply the policies and procedures uniformly to all shareholders. With respect to accounts held through intermediaries, such intermediaries generally are contractually obligated to provide the Funds with certain shareholder trading information. However, the Funds cannot directly control activity through all channels and are dependent on intermediaries to enforce the Funds’ policies and procedures. In certain cases, intermediaries may be unable to implement these policies or may not be able to implement policies and procedures in the same manner as the Funds due to system or other constraints. Shareholders who invest through omnibus accounts may be subject to policies and procedures that differ from those applied by the Funds to direct shareholders. The Funds reserve the right to limit an intermediary’s future access to the Funds, up to and including terminating the selling agreement with the intermediary. There is no assurance that the Funds’ policies and procedures will be effective in limiting and deterring short-term and excessive trading in all circumstances.

Redemption Fees

The Funds assess a 2.00% fee on redemptions (including exchanges) of Fund shares sold or exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase. Redemption fees are paid to the respective Fund to help offset transaction costs and to protect the Fund’s long-term shareholders. The Funds will use the “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) method to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of the redemption or exchange will be compared to the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. If this holding period is less than the required holding period, the fee will be charged.

The Funds will notify intermediaries, such as broker-dealers or plan administrators, of the Funds’ policies and procedures and request the intermediaries to track and remit redemption fees to the Funds. However, due to limitations with system capabilities or for other reasons, certain broker-dealers, banks, plan administrators and other intermediaries may not track and collect redemption fees at this time, or their methods for tracking and calculating redemption fees may differ from those of the Funds. There is no assurance that the Funds’ redemption fee policies and procedures will be effective in limiting or deterring short-term and excessive trading in all circumstances. Redemption fees may not be assessed in certain circumstances, including the following: shares purchased through reinvested distributions; certain distributions required by law or due to shareholder hardship; redemptions through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan; redemption of shares through an Automatic Investment Plan; accounts held through intermediaries that are unable to assess redemption fees or do not report sufficient information to the Funds to impose a redemption fee (as discussed above); and circumstances where the Funds’ administrator believes it to be in the best interest of the Funds and in accordance with the Funds’ policies and procedures to waive the redemption fee on behalf of the Funds.

ACCOUNT POLICIES AND DIVIDENDS
Account Statements

In general, you will receive quarterly account statements. In addition, you will also receive account statements:

■	After every transaction that affects your account balance (except for dividend reinvestments, Automatic Investment Plans or Systematic Withdrawal Plans); and
■	After any change of name or address of the registered owner(s).

You will also receive an annual statement that describes the federal income tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions your Fund has paid to you during the year.

Aston Funds may charge a fee for certain services, such as providing historical account documents.

Mailings to Shareholders

To help reduce Fund expenses and environmental waste, Aston Funds combines mailings for multiple accounts going to a single household by delivering Fund reports (annual and semi-annual reports, prospectuses, etc.) in a single envelope. If you do not want us to continue consolidating your Fund mailings and would prefer to receive separate mailings with multiple copies of Fund reports, please call one of our Investor Services Associates at 800-992-8151.

Distributions

The Funds distribute income dividends and net capital gains. Income dividends represent the earnings from a Fund’s investments less its expenses; capital gains generally occur when the Fund sells a portfolio security for more than the original purchase price.

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Dividends

The ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund will declare and pay dividends quarterly. The ASTON/Pictet International Fund will declare and pay dividends, if any, annually. Net capital gains, if any, will be distributed at least once a year, generally in December.

Dividend Reinvestments

Investors may have their dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares of the same Fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate a choice, your dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested on the dividend payable date. You can also choose to have a check for your dividends and distributions mailed to you by choosing this option on your account application.

Uncashed Checks

Checks should be cashed upon receipt, as interest will not be paid on uncashed checks. State escheat laws generally require Aston Funds to remit uncashed checks to the appropriate state after a specific period of time, which varies by state.

ADDITIONAL INVESTOR SERVICES

Automatic Investment Plan (Class N Shares only)

The Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”) allows you to set up a scheduled transfer of funds from your bank account to the Aston Fund(s) of your choice. You determine the AIP investment amount (the minimum AIP investment amount is $50), and you can terminate the program at any time. The minimum initial investment for accounts containing an AIP instruction is the same as all other accounts. To take advantage of this feature, complete the appropriate sections of the account application.

Aston Funds Website

Aston Funds maintains a website located at www.astonfunds.com. You can purchase, exchange and redeem shares and access information such as your account balance and the Funds’ NAVs through our website. Self-register for online account access at www.astonfunds.com. Your social security number or employee identification number, account number and other security validity information will be required for registration. You may also need to have bank account information, wire instructions, ACH instructions or other options established on your account.

Aston Funds has procedures in place to try to prevent unauthorized access to your account information. The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized transactions on our website.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (Class N Shares only)

This plan may be used for periodic withdrawals (at least $50 by check or ACH) from your account. To take advantage of this feature you must:

■	Have at least $50,000 in your account;
■	Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually; and
■	Call 800-992-8151 to add a Systematic Withdrawal Plan to your account.

Retirement Plans and Education Savings Accounts (Class N Shares)

Aston Funds offer a range of retirement plans, including Traditional, Roth, SIMPLE IRAs and SEP IRAs for Class N shareholders. Aston Funds also offers Education Savings Accounts for Class N shareholders, which allow you to save for qualified elementary, secondary and higher education costs. Using these plans, you can invest in any Aston Fund with a low minimum investment of $500. The annual maintenance fee for IRAs and Education Savings Accounts is $15 per account (not to exceed $30 per shareholder), but it is waived if you have $35,000 or more in assets. The fee is assessed every December for the current calendar year. To find out more, call Aston Funds at 800-992-8151.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICES PLAN 12b-1 FEES

To pay for the cost of promoting the Funds and servicing your shareholder account, the Funds have adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan for Class N shares. Under this plan, a Fund pays a fee at an annual rate of not more than 0.25% of the Fund’s Class N shares’ average daily net assets to the distributor for certain expenses associated with the distribution of Fund shares and administrative services provided to Fund shareholders. The fee is accrued daily and payable monthly. Over time, these fees may increase the cost of your investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges.

PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES

In addition to payments under a Rule 12b-1 plan, the Funds may bear costs associated with compensating intermediaries that perform sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and/or shareholder services for Fund shareholder accounts. Aston may also compensate intermediaries that distribute and/or service investors in the Funds out of its own assets and not as an additional charge to the Funds. Additional payments to intermediaries may represent a premium over payments made by other fund families, and may create an added incentive for investment professionals to sell or recommend the Funds over other funds offered by competing fund families. The additional payments may differ for each fund within the Aston family of funds, including within the same intermediary, and across intermediaries, or within the same fund at the same intermediary.

In addition, representatives of the distributor may be compensated through Adviser incentive programs in a manner that favors one Aston fund or group of Aston funds over another Aston fund.

Prospectus | 25

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

The Subadvisers attempt to obtain the best possible price and most favorable execution of transactions in portfolio securities. There may be times when a Subadviser may pay one broker-dealer a commission that is greater than the amount that another broker-dealer may charge for the same transaction. The Subadvisers generally determine in good faith if the commission paid was reasonable in relation to the brokerage or research services provided by the broker-dealer. In selecting and monitoring broker-dealers and negotiating commissions, the Subadvisers consider, among other factors, a broker-dealer’s reliability, availability of research, the quality of its execution services and its financial condition.

Prospectus | 26

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

Dividends and Distributions

The Funds pay dividends and distribute capital gains at different intervals. All dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested at NAV unless you choose to receive them in a cash payment. You can change your payment options at any time by writing to us.

Taxes

Certain tax considerations may apply to your investment in a Fund. The following is a general description of certain federal income tax considerations. Further information regarding the federal income tax consequences of investing in the Funds is included in the SAI. If you have any tax-related questions relating to your own investment in a Fund, please consult your tax adviser.

For federal income tax purposes:

■	The tax treatment of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest the dividends and distributions or elect to receive them in cash. We will send you a statement with the federal income tax status of your dividends and distributions for the prior year generally by February 15.
■	Distributions of any net investment income, other than “qualified dividend income,” are taxable to you as ordinary income.
■	Distributions of qualified dividend income (i.e., generally dividends received by a Fund from domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations) generally will be taxed to individuals and other non-corporate investors in the Fund at federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided you meet certain holding period and other requirements contained in the Code with respect to your Fund shares and the Fund meets similar holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stock. Dividends received by a Fund from most REITs and certain foreign corporations are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income when distributed by a Fund.
■	If a Fund receives dividends from another investment company that qualifies as a regulated investment company, including an ETF, for federal income tax purposes and the investment company designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund may in turn designate that portion of its distributions derived from those dividends as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the shares of the investment company.
■	Distributions of net capital gain (net long-term capital gain less any net short-term capital loss) are taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you may have held shares of a Fund. In contrast, distributions of net short-term capital gain (net short-term capital gain less any net long-term capital loss) are taxable as ordinary income regardless of how long you may have held shares of the Fund. Because distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable as ordinary income, you generally cannot offset net short-term capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund with capital losses.
■	Some of a Fund’s investments may be subject to special provisions of the Code that may increase the amount of gain recognized by the Fund, defer the Fund’s losses, accelerate the Fund’s recognition of gain, affect the character of such income and affect the amount, timing and type of distributions from the Fund, which may increase the amount of taxes payable by you.
■	Distributions declared to the shareholders of record in October, November or December and paid on or before January 31 of the succeeding year will be treated for federal income tax purposes as if received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the distribution was declared.
■	When you sell shares or exchange shares for shares of another fund (other than shares held in a tax-deferred account) it generally is considered a taxable event for you. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. The gain or loss will generally be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if you held your shares for more than one year. If you held your shares for one year or less, the gain or loss will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.
■	An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including dividends and distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
■	If you do not provide Aston Funds with your complete and correct taxpayer identification number and required certification, or if the Internal Revenue Service so notifies us, you may be subject to backup withholding tax on dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds.
■	If you purchase shares of a Fund just before a dividend or distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and receive a portion of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution. This is referred to as “buying a dividend.”
■	If a Fund qualifies (by having more than 50% of the value of its total assets at the close of the taxable year consist of stock or securities in foreign corporations or by being a qualified fund of funds) and elects to pass through foreign taxes paid on its investments during the year, such taxes will be reported to you as income. You may, however, be able to claim an offsetting tax credit or deduction on your federal income tax return, depending on your particular circumstances and provided you meet certain holding period and other requirements. Tax-exempt holders of Fund shares, such as qualified tax-deferred retirement plans, will not benefit from such a deduction or credit.
■	A Fund’s ability to invest in some investments may be significantly limited by the federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
■	Tax reporting changes effective January 1, 2012 require Aston Funds to report cost basis and holding period information to both the Internal Revenue Service and shareholders for gross proceeds from the sales of shares of Aston Funds purchased on or after January 1, 2012. This information will be reported on Form 1099-B. The deadline for mailing Form 1099-B to shareholders is February 15. Absent shareholder instructions, Aston Funds will calculate and report cost basis information using its default method of average cost. If you hold shares of Aston Funds through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary will be responsible for this reporting and the financial intermediary’s default cost basis method may apply. Please consult your tax adviser for additional information regarding cost basis reporting and your situation.

Prospectus | 27

Financial Highlights

The Funds are new and do not have an operating history. Information, when available, will be included in the Funds’ next annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

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General Information

If you wish to know more about Aston Funds, you will find additional information in the following documents:

SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

You will receive an unaudited semi-annual report dated April 30 and an annual report dated October 31, which is audited by an independent registered public accounting firm. The annual report contains a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during its last fiscal year.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

The SAI, which is incorporated into this prospectus by reference and dated April 9, 2014 as amended from time to time, is available to you without charge and can be mailed to you upon request. It contains more detailed information about the Funds.

HOW TO OBTAIN REPORTS

Contacting Aston Funds

You can get free copies of the reports and SAI, request other information and obtain answers to your questions about the Funds by contacting:


Address:	Aston Funds
	P.O. Box 9765
	Providence, RI 02940

Phone:	Shareholder Services & Fund Literature
	800-992-8151
	Investment Advisor Services
	800-597-9704

Website:	www.astonfunds.com

Obtaining Information from the SEC

You can visit the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov to view the SAI and other information. You can also view and copy information about the Funds at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. To find out more about the Public Reference Room, you can call the SEC at 202-551-8090. Also, you can obtain copies of this information after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington D.C. 20549-1520.

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-8004

Prospectus | 29

Aston Funds

P.O. Box 9765

Providence, RI 02940

AST PIC GRD 14

ASTON FUNDS

ASTON/Pictet International Fund

ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund


	Ticker Symbols
	Class N	Class I
ASTON/Pictet International Fund	APINX	APCTX
ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund	AGCNX	AGCDX

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

April 9, 2014

This Statement of Additional Information dated April 9, 2014 (“SAI”) provides supplementary information pertaining to shares representing interests in Class N shares and Class I shares of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund and the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund (each, a “Fund”), two of twenty-five available investment portfolios of Aston Funds (the “Trust”).

This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read only in conjunction with the Funds’ current prospectus dated April 9, 2014, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). No investment in a Fund should be made without first reading the Prospectus. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus.

You may obtain a Prospectus, annual report or semi-annual report, when available, at no charge by contacting the Trust at Aston Funds, P.O. Box 9765, Providence, RI 02940 or 800-992-8151 or by downloading such information from www.astonfunds.com. The website does not form a part of the Prospectus or SAI.

SAI PICGRD 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page

The Funds		1
Investment Objectives, Strategies and Risk Considerations		1
Investment Restrictions		22
Trustees and Officers of the Trust		23
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		31
Investment Advisory and Other Services		31

Investment Adviser		31
Subadvisers		33
Administrator		36
Subadministrator		37
Subadministration Fees		37
Underwriter		37
Distribution and Services Plan		37
Redemption Fees		38
Custodian		39
Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent		39
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		39

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions		39
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings		41
Description of Shares		42
Net Asset Value		44
Redemptions-In-Kind		45
Dividends		45
Federal Income Taxes		45
Performance Information		53
Financial Statements		53
Other Information		53
Appendix A		A-1

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS SAI OR IN THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE TRUST OR THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

THE FUNDS

Aston Funds, 120 N. LaSalle Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602, is an open-end management investment company. Each Fund is classified as diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Fund is a series of the Trust, which was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on September 10, 1993.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of investing in the Funds. This section contains a detailed discussion of the portfolio investments in which the Funds may invest. The investment practices described below, except as further set forth in “Investment Restrictions,” are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without the approval of shareholders.

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Continental Depositary Receipts (“CDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)

ADRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution (a “depositary”), that evidence ownership interest in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as CDRs, are securities, typically issued by a non-U.S. financial institution, that evidence ownership interest in a security or a pool of securities issued by either a U.S. or foreign issuer. GDRs are issued globally and evidence a similar ownership arrangement. Generally, ADRs are designed for trading in the U.S. securities market. EDRs are designed for trading in European securities markets and GDRs are designed for trading in non-U.S. securities markets. Generally, depositary receipts may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a depositary, whereas an unsponsored facility may be established by a depositary without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

Borrowing

A Fund may not borrow money or issue senior securities, except as described in this paragraph or as described in “Investment Restrictions.” Any policy under “Investment Restrictions” which contradicts policies described in this paragraph governs that applicable Fund’s policy on borrowing. A Fund may borrow from banks or enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets. A Fund may not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets, except in connection with permitted borrowing or other permitted investment techniques. Any borrowing will be done from a bank with asset coverage of at least 300%, if required. In the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, a Fund shall, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays or holidays) or such longer period as the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%.

Convertible Securities

Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. Convertible securities entitle the holder to exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of time and to receive interest or dividends until the holder elects to convert. The provisions of any convertible security determine its ranking in a company’s capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures, the holder’s claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of other creditors and are senior to the claims of preferred and common shareholders. In the case of preferred stock and convertible preferred stock, the holder’s claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of all creditors but are senior to the claims of common shareholders.

Derivative Instruments

The term “derivatives” has been used to identify a range and variety of financial instruments. In general, a derivative is commonly defined as a financial instrument whose performance and value are derived, at least in part, from another source, such as the performance of an underlying asset, a specific security or an index of securities. As is the case with other types of investments, a Fund’s derivative instruments may entail various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of the derivative instrument and a Fund’s overall portfolio.

Each Fund may use derivative instruments for hedging purposes, to maintain liquidity, in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings, or as otherwise provided in the Prospectus. A Fund will not engage in derivative investments purely for speculative purposes. A Fund will invest in one or more derivatives only to the extent that the instrument under consideration is judged by the investment adviser or the subadviser to be consistent with a Fund’s overall investment objective and policies. In making such judgment, the potential benefits and risks will be considered in relation to a Fund’s other portfolio investments.

Where not specified, investment limitations with respect to a Fund’s derivative instruments will be consistent with such Fund’s existing percentage limitations with respect to its overall investment policies and restrictions. The types of derivative securities in which the Funds are permitted to invest include, but are not limited to, forward commitments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, options, and swap agreements.

Certain investment transactions expose the Funds to an obligation to make future payments to third parties. Examples of these types of transactions, include, but are not limited to, derivatives such as swaps, futures, forwards, and options. To the extent that a Fund engages in such transactions, the Fund will (to the extent required by applicable law) either (1) segregate cash or liquid assets in the prescribed amount or (2) otherwise “cover” its future obligations under the transaction, such as by holding an offsetting investment. If a Fund segregates sufficient cash or other liquid assets or otherwise “covers” its obligations under such transactions, the Fund will not consider the transactions to be borrowings for purposes of its investment restrictions or “senior securities” under the 1940 Act, and therefore, such transactions will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement under the 1940 Act otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund.

In some cases (e.g., with respect to futures and forwards that are contractually required to “cash-settle”), a Fund will segregate cash or other liquid assets with respect to the amount of the daily net (marked-to-market) obligation arising from the transaction, rather than the notional amount of the underlying contract. By segregating assets in an amount equal to the net obligation rather than the notional amount, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if it set aside cash or other liquid assets equal to the notional amount of the contract, which may increase the risk associated with such transactions. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account.

Assets used as segregation or “cover” cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding transaction is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets for segregation and “cover” purposes could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. Segregating assets or otherwise “covering” for these purposes does not necessarily limit the percentage of the assets of the Fund that may be at risk with respect to certain derivative transactions.

Emerging Market Securities

Investments in emerging market countries may be subject to additional and potentially higher risks than investments in developed countries or in foreign countries in general. Such additional risks include (i) less social, political and economic stability; (ii) a small market for securities and/or a low or nonexistent volume of trading, which result in a lack of liquidity and in greater price volatility; (iii) foreign exchanges and broker-dealers may be subject to less scrutiny and regulation by local authorities; (iv) certain national policies that may restrict a Fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (v) foreign taxation; (vi) issuers facing restrictions on U.S. dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments may attempt to make dividend or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (vii) investors may experience difficulty in enforcing legal claims related to the securities and/or local judges may favor the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (viii) bankruptcy judgments may only be permitted to be paid in the local currency; (ix) limited public information regarding the issuer may result in greater difficulty in determining market valuations of the securities, and (x) infrequent financial reporting, substandard disclosure, and differences in accounting standards may make it difficult to ascertain the financial health of an issuer. In addition, unlike developed countries, many emerging countries’ economic growth highly depends on exports and inflows of external capital, making them more vulnerable to downturns in the world economy. The recent global financial crisis weakened the global demand for emerging countries’ exports and tightened international credit supplies and, as a result, many emerging countries faced significant economic difficulties and some countries fell into recession.

Authoritarian governments in certain developing countries may require that a governmental or quasi-governmental authority act as custodian of a Fund’s assets invested in such country. To the extent such governmental or quasi-governmental authorities do not satisfy the requirements of the 1940 Act with respect to the custody of a Fund’s cash and securities, a Fund’s investment in such countries may be limited or may be required to be effected through intermediaries. The risk of loss through governmental confiscation may be increased in such countries.

Many emerging market countries in which a Fund may invest lack the social, political, and economic stability characteristic of the U.S. Political instability among emerging market countries can be common and may be caused by an uneven distribution of wealth, social unrest, labor strikes, civil wars, and religious oppression. Economic instability in emerging market countries may take the form of: (i) high interest rates; (ii) high levels of inflation, including hyperinflation; (iii) high levels of unemployment or underemployment; (iv) changes in government economic and tax policies, including confiscatory taxation (or taxes on foreign investments); and (v) imposition of trade barriers. In recent years, many emerging market countries have undergone political changes that have reduced government’s role in economic and personal affairs and have stimulated investment and growth.

Currencies of emerging market countries are subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies. Some emerging market countries have experienced balance of payment deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves. As a result, some governments have responded by restricting currency conversions. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be artificial to their actual market values.

Securities of issuers located in countries with developing securities markets pose greater liquidity risks and other risks than securities of issuers located in developed countries and traded in more established markets. Low liquidity in markets may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to buy and sell securities and cause increased volatility. Developing countries may at various times have less stable political environments than more developed nations. Changes of control may adversely affect the pricing of securities from time to time. Some developing countries may afford only limited opportunities for investing. In certain developing countries, a Fund may be able to invest solely or primarily through ADRs or similar securities and government approved investment vehicles, including closed-end investment companies.

The settlement systems in certain emerging markets, including Asian, South American and Eastern European countries, are less developed than in more established markets. As a result, there may be a risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of a Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures or of defects in the systems used. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made prior to receipt of the security which is being purchased or that delivery of a security must be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by the executing broker or bank might result in a loss to a Fund investing in emerging market securities.

Governments of many emerging market countries have become overly reliant on the international capital markets and other forms of foreign credit to finance large public spending programs which cause large budget deficits. Often, interest payments have become too overwhelming for these governments to meet, as these payments may represent a large percentage of a country’s total GDP. Accordingly, these foreign obligations have become the subject of political debate and resulted in pressure on governments not to make payments to foreign creditors, but instead to use these funds for social programs. Either due to an inability to pay or submission to political pressure, some governments have been forced to seek a restructuring of their credit obligations, have declared a temporary suspension of interest payments, or have defaulted on their outstanding obligations. These events have adversely affected the values of securities issued by the governments and corporations domiciled in these emerging market countries and have negatively affected not only their cost of borrowing, but their ability to borrow in the future as well.

Equity Securities

Equity securities represent a share of an issuer’s earnings and assets, after the issuer pays its liabilities. A Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their value may increase with the value of the issuer’s business. The following describes various types of equity securities in which the Funds invest.

Common Stocks

Common stocks are the most prevalent type of equity security. Common stocks receive the issuer’s earnings after the issuer pays its creditors and any preferred stockholders. As a result, changes in an issuer’s earnings may influence the value of its common stock.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks have the right to receive specified dividends or distributions before the issuer makes payments on its common stock. Some preferred stocks also participate in dividends and distributions paid on common stock. Preferred stocks may also permit the issuer to redeem the stock. A Fund may treat such redeemable preferred stock as a fixed income security.

Warrants and Rights

Warrants give a Fund the option to buy the issuer’s equity securities at a specified price (the exercise price) at a specified future date (the expiration date). A Fund may buy the designated securities by paying the exercise price before the expiration date. Warrants may become worthless if the price of the stock does not rise above the exercise price by the expiration date. This increases the market risks of warrants as compared to the underlying security.

Rights are the same as warrants, except companies typically issue rights to existing stockholders.

Exchange-Traded Notes

Exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) are securities that combine aspects of a bond and an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index or other reference asset less fees, and can be held to maturity as a debt security. ETNs are traded on a securities exchange. Their value is based on their reference index or strategy and the credit quality of the issuer. ETNs are subject to the additional risk that they may trade at a premium or discount to value attributable to their reference index. When a Fund invests in an ETN, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the ETN’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. There may also not be an active trading market available for some ETNs. Additionally, trading of ETNs may be halted or delisted by the listing exchange under certain circumstances.

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer’s earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed income securities as compared to equity securities.

A security’s yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security’s yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

The following describes various types of fixed income securities in which a Fund may invest.

Treasury Securities

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having the lowest credit risks.

Agency Securities

Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity (a “GSE”) acting under federal authority. The U.S. government supports some GSEs with its full faith and credit. Other GSEs receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. A few GSEs have no explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. Agency securities are generally regarded as having low credit risks, but not as low as treasury securities.

Although a GSE guarantee protects against credit risks, it does not reduce the market and prepayment risks of these mortgage-backed securities.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Many international equity securities in which a Fund may invest will be traded in foreign currencies. A Fund may engage in certain foreign currency transactions, such as forward foreign currency exchange contracts, to guard against fluctuations in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar or to the weighting of particular foreign currencies. In addition, a Fund may buy and sell foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currencies and foreign currency futures. A Fund may use such investments for hedging purposes or as otherwise provided in the Prospectus, including for total return purposes. A Fund will not engage in such investments purely for speculative purposes.

A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. By entering into a forward foreign currency exchange contract, a Fund “locks in” the exchange rate between the currency it will deliver and the currency it will receive for the duration of the contract. As a result, a Fund reduces its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will exchange into. Contracts to sell foreign currencies would limit any potential gain which might be realized by a Fund if the value of the hedged currency increases. A Fund may enter into these contracts for the purpose of hedging against foreign exchange risks arising from a Fund’s investment or anticipated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Such hedging transactions may not be successful and may eliminate any chance for a Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies. In the case of a forward foreign currency exchange contract, a Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities at least in an amount equal to its obligations under the contract. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

A Fund may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one currency to another. To the extent that it does so, a Fund will be subject to the additional risk that the relative value of currencies will be different than anticipated by the Fund’s investment adviser or subadviser. A Fund may use one currency (or a basket of currencies) to hedge against adverse changes in the value of another currency (or a basket of currencies) when exchange rates between the two currencies are positively correlated. A Fund may also use foreign currency futures contracts and related options on currencies for the same reasons for which forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used.

The use of currency transactions can result in a Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in domestic issuers. Such risks may include costs in connection with conversions between various currencies, limited publicly available information regarding foreign issuers, lack of uniformity in accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements, greater securities market volatility, less liquidity of securities, less government supervision and regulations of securities markets, future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest, dividends or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those with respect to domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Government regulation in many of the countries of interest to a Fund may limit the extent of a Fund’s investment in companies in those countries. Further, it may be more difficult for a Fund’s agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions that may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the U.S. and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the U.S., increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio securities. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery. A Fund’s ability and decisions to purchase and sell portfolio securities may be affected by laws or regulations relating to the convertibility of currencies and repatriation of assets. Some countries restrict the extent to which foreigners may invest in their securities markets.

Investments in securities of foreign issuers are frequently denominated in foreign currencies (including the Euro and other multinational currency units) and the value a Fund’s assets measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and a Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts as a hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates or to hedge a specific security transaction or portfolio position. Currently, only a limited market, if any, exists for hedging transactions relating to currencies in emerging markets, including Latin American and Asian markets. This may limit a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge its investments in such markets if it chose to do so.

Foreign investments involve risks unique to the local political, economic, and regulatory structures in place, as well as the potential for social instability, military unrest, or diplomatic developments that could prove adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Individual foreign economies can differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. In addition, significant external political and economic risks currently affect some foreign countries. For example, both Taiwan and China still claim sovereignty over one another and there is a demilitarized border and hostile relations between North and South Korea. War and terrorism affect many countries, especially those in Africa and the Middle East. Many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets decline. For example, in 2007 and 2008, the meltdown in the U.S. subprime mortgage market quickly spread throughout global credit markets, triggering a liquidity crisis that affected fixed-income and equity markets around the world. European countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) imposes for membership. Europe’s economies are diverse, its governments are decentralized, and its cultures vary widely. In addition, the budget issues faced by several EU countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among EMU member countries. Member countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to qualify for membership in the EMU. These requirements can severely limit EMU member countries’ ability to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions.

Governments in certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and economic conditions of their trading partners. The enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

In making investment decisions for a Fund, the subadviser evaluates the risks associated with investing Fund assets in a particular country, including risks stemming from a country’s financial infrastructure and settlement practices; the likelihood of expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of invested assets; prevailing or developing custodial practices in the country; the country’s laws and regulations regarding the safekeeping, maintenance and recovery of invested assets; the likelihood of government-imposed exchange control restrictions which could impair the liquidity of Fund assets maintained with custodians in that country, as well as risks from political acts of foreign governments. The investment adviser’s or subadviser’s decisions regarding these risks may not be correct or may prove to be unwise and any losses resulting from investing in foreign countries will be borne by the Fund.

Holding Fund assets in foreign countries presents additional risks including, but not limited to, the risks that a particular foreign custodian or depositary will not exercise proper care with respect to Fund assets or will not have the financial strength or adequate practices and procedures to properly safeguard Fund assets. A Fund may be precluded from investing in certain foreign countries until such time as adequate custodial arrangements can be established.

Forward Commitments, When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions

A Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date. Although a Fund would generally purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, a Fund may dispose of such securities prior to settlement if its investment adviser or subadviser deems it appropriate to do so.

A Fund may dispose of or re-negotiate a when-issued or forward commitment after entering into these transactions. A Fund will normally realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining a Fund’s average dollar-weighted maturity, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities will be calculated from the commitment date.

When a Fund purchases securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, a Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of a Fund’s purchase commitments. In the case of a forward commitment to sell portfolio securities, a Fund will segregate the portfolio securities while the commitment is outstanding. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

These procedures are designed to ensure that a Fund will maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued securities, forward commitments and delayed-delivery transactions.

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are generally considered to be derivative securities. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires a Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the marked to market value of the contract fluctuates.

At maturity, a futures contract obligates a Fund to take or make delivery of certain securities or the cash value of a securities index. A Fund may sell a futures contract in order to offset a decrease in the market value of its portfolio securities that might otherwise result from a market decline. A Fund may do so either to hedge the value of its portfolio of securities as a whole, or to protect against declines, occurring prior to sales of securities, in the value of the securities to be sold. Conversely, a Fund may purchase a futures contract in anticipation of purchases of securities. In addition, a Fund may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings or to seek exposure to a particular market or asset class in an attempt to achieve its objective.

For federal income tax purposes, some gains derived by a Fund from the use of such instruments will be treated as a combination of short-term and long-term capital gains and, if not offset by realized capital losses incurred by a Fund, will be distributed to shareholders and will be taxable to shareholders as a combination of ordinary income and long-term capital gain.

A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on futures contracts traded on an exchange or board of trade. When a Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it has the right to assume a position as a purchaser or seller of a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the option period. When a Fund sells an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated to purchase or sell a futures contract if the option is exercised. In anticipation of a market advance, a Fund may purchase call options on futures contracts as a substitute for the purchase of futures contracts to hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. Similarly, if the market is expected to decline, a Fund might purchase put options or sell call options on futures contracts rather than sell futures contracts. In connection with a Fund’s position in a futures contract or option thereon, a Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable requirements of the SEC. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

A Fund may enter into a contract for the purchase or sale for future delivery of securities, including index contracts. While futures contracts provide for the delivery of securities, deliveries usually do not occur. Contracts are generally terminated by entering into offsetting transactions.

A Fund may enter into such futures contracts to protect against the adverse effects of fluctuations in security prices or interest rates without actually buying or selling the securities. For example, if interest rates are expected to increase, a Fund might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt securities. Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent value of the debt securities owned by a Fund. If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the futures contracts to a Fund would increase at approximately the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of a Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may decline, futures contracts may be purchased to hedge in anticipation of subsequent purchases of securities at higher prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures contracts should be similar to those of debt securities, a Fund could take advantage of the anticipated rise in value of debt securities without actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that time, the futures contracts could be liquidated and a Fund could then buy debt securities on the cash market.

A stock index futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to take) an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement was made. Open futures contracts are valued on a daily basis and a Fund may be obligated to provide or receive cash reflecting any decline or increase in the contract’s value. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made in the future.

With respect to options on futures contracts, when a Fund is temporarily not fully invested, it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based, or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when a Fund is not fully invested, it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance.

The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against the declining price of the security or foreign currency that is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at the expiration of the option is below the exercise price, a Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the value of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against the increasing price of the security or foreign currency, which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at the expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, a Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase.

Call and put options on stock index futures are similar to options on securities except that, rather than the right to purchase or sell stock at a specified price, options on a stock index future give the holder the right to receive cash. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the futures contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing price of the futures contract on the expiration date.

If a put or call option which a Fund has written is exercised, that Fund may incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its options positions, a Fund’s losses from existing options on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.

To the extent that market prices move in an unexpected direction, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of futures contracts or options on futures contracts or may realize a loss. For example, if a Fund is hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates and interest rates decrease instead, that Fund would lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value, which it has because it would have offsetting losses in its futures position. In addition, in such situations, if a Fund had insufficient cash, it may be required to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of securities may, but will not necessarily, be at increased prices which reflect the rising market. A Fund may be required to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Options on securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and options on currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the U.S., may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign securities. Some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a trader may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Trust’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the U.S. and (v) lesser trading volume. In addition, unless a Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which trading is done on foreign exchanges, any profits that a Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or a Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.

Further, with respect to options on futures contracts, a Fund may seek to close out an option position by writing or buying an offsetting position covering the same securities or contracts with the same exercise price and expiration date. The ability to establish and close out positions on options will be subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market, which cannot be assured.

Illiquid Securities

A Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. Securities are generally considered illiquid if they cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which a Fund values the security. Illiquid securities will generally include but are not limited to: insurance funding agreements, repurchase agreements and time deposits with notice/termination dates in excess of seven days; unlisted over-the-counter options; swap agreements, interest rate caps, floors and collars; and certain securities which are subject to trading restrictions because they are not registered under the 1933 Act. Foreign securities that are restricted as to resale in the U.S., but are freely tradable in their local market, are not considered illiquid.

Investment Company Shares

Investments by a Fund in other investment companies, including closed-end funds and ETFs, will be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and in certain circumstances SEC exemptive orders. The Fund may rely on SEC orders that permit it to invest in certain investment companies beyond the limits contained in the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and conditions of those orders. The risks of investment in other investment companies typically reflect the risks of the types of securities in which those other investment companies invest. When a Fund invests in shares of another investment company, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the other investment company’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

Open-End Mutual Funds

Open-end mutual funds are investment companies that issue new shares continuously and redeem shares daily. The risks of investment of open-end mutual funds typically reflect the risks of the types of securities in which the funds invest. The net asset value per share of an open-end fund will fluctuate daily depending upon the performance of the securities held by the fund. Open-end mutual funds are offered in a wide variety of asset classes including: large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, equity, international, sector, fixed income and alternative non-traditional strategies. When a Fund invests in shares of an open-end fund, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the open-end fund’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

Exchange-Traded Funds

ETFs are typically organized as open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts. ETFs are traded on exchanges similar to stocks. A passive ETF is an investment company that seeks to track the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) by holding in its portfolio either the securities that comprise the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. An actively managed ETF is an investment company that seeks to outperform an index. ETFs offer investment in a wide variety of asset classes and ranges of securities, including: large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, equity, international, commodities, real estate, fixed income, derivatives and currency.

Unlike interests in conventional mutual funds, ETFs are traded throughout the day on a national securities exchange, whereas mutual fund interests are typically only bought and sold at closing net asset values. ETFs are designed to be tradable in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis, and to be created and redeemed principally in-kind in large blocks (typically 50,000 shares) called creation units, at each day’s next calculated net asset value. The in-kind creation or redemption is for a portfolio of the underlying securities of the ETF. There may also be a cash component. These arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from adverse effects on the portfolio of the ETF that could arise from frequent cash creation and redemption transactions. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the mutual fund’s need to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas an ETF’s in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a federal income tax event for a Fund or its ongoing shareholders. The Funds do not intend to purchase and redeem creation units, but intends to purchase and sell ETFs primarily through national securities exchanges.

There is a risk that the ETFs in which a Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the service providers to the ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF. Also, because the ETFs in which a Fund intends to principally invest may be granted licenses by agreement to use the indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETFs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETF may terminate if its entire net asset value falls below a certain amount. Although each Fund believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETF tracking the same market index or another market index with the same general market, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETF would be available for investment at that time. Unlike many investment companies, many ETFs are not currently actively managed. Thus, an ETF would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the index.

Closed-End Funds

Closed-end funds are investment companies that typically issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a securities exchange or over-the-counter. The risks of investment in closed-end funds typically reflect the risks of the types of securities in which the funds invest. Investments in closed-end funds are subject to the additional risk that shares of the fund may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value per share. When a Fund invests in shares of a closed-end fund, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the closed-end fund’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.

Money Market Instruments

Money market instruments include but are not limited to the following: short-term corporate obligations, Certificates of Deposit (“CDs”), Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“Euro CDs”), Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”), foreign bankers’ acceptances, foreign commercial paper, letter of credit-backed commercial paper, time deposits, loan participations (“LPs”), variable- and floating-rate instruments, separately traded interest and principal securities (“STRIPS”) and master demand notes. Bank obligations may include bankers’ acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit and non-negotiable time deposits earning a specified return, issued for a definite period of time by a U.S. bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), or by a savings and loan association or savings bank that is insured by the FDIC. Bank obligations also include U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks or of U.S. branches of foreign banks, all of the same type as domestic bank obligations. Investments in bank obligations are limited to the obligations of financial institutions having more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase.

Domestic and foreign banks are subject to extensive but different government regulations, which may limit the amount and types of their loans and the interest rates that may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds to finance lending operations and the quality of underlying bank assets.

Investments in obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of U.S. branches of foreign banks may subject a Fund to additional investment risks, including future political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, possible seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, foreign branches of U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and record keeping standards than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Investments in the obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks or foreign branches of U.S. banks will be made only when the investment adviser or subadviser believes that the credit risk with respect to the investment is minimal.

Euro CDs, Yankee CDs and foreign bankers’ acceptances involve risks that are different from investments in securities of U.S. banks. The major risk, which is sometimes referred to as “sovereign risk,” pertains to possible future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest. Investment in foreign commercial paper also involves risks that are different from investments in securities of commercial paper issued by U.S. companies. Non-U.S. securities markets generally are not as developed or efficient as those in the U.S. Such securities may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. corporations. Non-U.S. issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. In addition, there may be less public information available about foreign banks, their branches and other issuers.

Time deposits usually trade at a premium over Treasuries of the same maturity. Investors regard such deposits as carrying some credit risk, which Treasuries may not. Also, investors regard time deposits as being sufficiently less liquid than Treasuries; hence, investors demand some extra yield for buying time deposits rather than Treasuries.

Commercial paper may include variable- and floating-rate instruments, which are unsecured instruments that permit the interest on indebtedness thereunder to vary. Variable-rate instruments provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate. Floating-rate instruments provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever some other specified interest rate changes. Some variable- and floating-rate obligations are direct lending arrangements between the purchaser and the issuer and there may be no active secondary market. However, in the case of variable- and floating-rate obligations with the demand feature, a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at a time specified in the instrument or may resell the instrument to a third party. In the event an issuer of a variable- or floating-rate obligation defaulted on its payment obligation, a Fund might be unable to dispose of the note because of the absence of a secondary market and could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Substantial holdings of variable- and floating-rate instruments could reduce portfolio liquidity.

Options

A call option enables the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to purchase securities from the writer of the option at an agreed price up to an agreed date. The advantage is that the purchaser may hedge against an increase in the price of securities it ultimately wishes to buy or may take advantage of a rise in a particular index. Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will only purchase call options to the extent that the premiums paid on all outstanding call options do not exceed 20% of such Fund’s total assets. A Fund will only sell or write call options on a covered basis (e.g., on securities it holds in its portfolio). A put option enables the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, to sell the security underlying the option to the writer at the exercise price during the option period. The writer of the option has the obligation to purchase the security from the purchaser of the option. The advantage is that the purchaser can be protected should the market value of the security decline or should a particular index decline. Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will only purchase put options to the extent that the premiums on all outstanding put options do not exceed 20% of that Fund’s total assets. A Fund will only write put options on a secured basis. Cash or other collateral will be segregated by a Fund for such options. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. A Fund will receive premium income from writing put options, although it may be required, when the put is exercised, to purchase securities at higher prices than the current market price. At the time of purchase, a Fund will receive premium income from writing call options, which may offset the cost of purchasing put options and may also contribute to that Fund’s total return. A Fund may lose potential market appreciation if the judgment of its investment adviser or subadviser is incorrect with respect to interest rates, security prices or the movement of indices. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

An option on a securities index gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive cash from the seller equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option.

Closing transactions essentially let a Fund offset put options or call options prior to exercise or expiration. If a Fund cannot effect a closing transaction, it may have to hold a security it would otherwise sell, or deliver a security it might want to hold.

A Fund may use exchange traded options, and as permitted by law, options traded over-the-counter. It is the position of the SEC that over-the-counter options are illiquid. Accordingly, a Fund will invest in such options only to the extent consistent with its 15% limit on investments in illiquid securities.

Options are generally considered to be derivative securities. Options may relate to particular securities, stock indices or financial instruments, they may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange and they may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity which entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying securities, and on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying securities themselves.

A Fund will write call options only if they are “covered.” In the case of a call option on a security, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or liquid securities in such amount will be segregated by a Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if a Fund maintains with its custodian a diversified stock portfolio or liquid assets equal to the contract value.

A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same security or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the difference is maintained by a Fund in cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with its custodian or fund accounting agent. A Fund will write put options only if they are “secured” by liquid assets maintained in a segregated account by the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent in an amount not less than the exercise price of the option at all times during the option period. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. See also “Derivative Instruments.” A Fund’s obligation to sell a security subject to a covered call option written by it, or to purchase a security subject to a secured put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by a Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series as the previously written option. Such a purchase does not result in the ownership of an option. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying security from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying security or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying security. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transaction costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event a Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer, unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, will not be able to sell the underlying security (in the case of a covered call option) or liquidate the segregated securities (in the case of a secured put option) until the option expires or the optioned security is delivered upon exercise with the result that the writer in such circumstances will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the security during such period.

Purchasing Call Options . Except as otherwise provided in the Funds’ Prospectus or in this SAI, each Fund may purchase call options to the extent that premiums paid by the Fund do not aggregate more than 20% of the Fund’s total assets. When a Fund purchases a call option, in return for a premium paid by the Fund to the writer of the option, the Fund obtains the right to buy the security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium upon writing the option, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. The advantage of purchasing call options is that a Fund may alter portfolio characteristics and modify portfolio maturities without incurring the cost associated with transactions, except the cost of the option.

Following the purchase of a call option, a Fund may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. A Fund will realize a profit from a closing sale transaction if the price received on the transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the original call option; a Fund will realize a loss from a closing sale transaction if the price received on the transaction is less than the premium paid to purchase the original call option.

Although a Fund will generally purchase only those call options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it may not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of such options and upon the subsequent disposition of the underlying securities acquired through the exercise of such options. Further, unless the price of the underlying security changes sufficiently, a call option purchased by a Fund may expire without any value to a Fund, in which event a Fund would realize a capital loss which will be short-term unless the option was held for more than one year.

Covered Call Writing . A Fund may write covered call options from time to time on such portions of their portfolios, without limit, as the investment adviser or subadviser determines is appropriate in pursuing a Fund’s investment objective. The advantage to a Fund of writing covered calls is that the Fund receives a premium that is additional income. However, if the security rises in value, a Fund may not fully participate in the market appreciation.

During the option period, a covered call option writer may be assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer, through whom such call option was sold, requiring the writer to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. This obligation is terminated upon the expiration of the option or upon entering a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction, in which a Fund, as writer of an option, terminates its obligation by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written, cannot be effected with respect to an option once the option writer has received an exercise notice for such option.

Closing purchase transactions will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying security or to enable a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both. A Fund may realize a net gain or loss from a closing purchase transaction depending upon whether the net amount of the original premium received on the call option is more or less than the cost of effecting the closing purchase transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received from a sale of a different call option on the same underlying security. Such a loss may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation in the market value of the underlying security. Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase transaction could be offset in whole or in part by a decline in the market value of the underlying security.

If a call option expires unexercised, a Fund will realize a short-term capital gain in the amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain, however, may be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying security during the option period, if such security is sold or there is another recognition event. If a call option is exercised, a Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security equal to the difference between the cost of the underlying security and the proceeds of the sale of the security plus the amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid.

A Fund will write call options only on a covered basis, which means that a Fund will own the underlying security subject to a call option at all times during the option period. Unless a closing purchase transaction is effected, a Fund would be required to continue to hold a security which it might otherwise wish to sell, or deliver a security it would want to hold. The exercise price of a call option may be below, equal to, or above the current market value of the underlying security at the time the option is written.

Purchasing Put Options . Except as otherwise provided in the Funds’ Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will only purchase put options to the extent that the premiums on all outstanding put options do not exceed 20% of the Fund’s total assets. Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus or in this SAI, with regard to the writing of put options, each Fund will limit the aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options to 50% of its total assets. The purchase of the put option on substantially identical securities held by a Fund will constitute a short sale for federal income tax purposes, which may result in a short-term capital gain on the sale of the security if such substantially identical securities were held by that Fund for not more than one year as of the date of the short sale or were acquired by that Fund after the short sale and on or before the closing date of the short sale.

A put option purchased by a Fund gives it the right to sell one of its securities for an agreed price up to an agreed date. A Fund may purchase put options in order to protect against a decline in the market value of the underlying security below the exercise price less the premium paid for the option (“protective puts”). The ability to purchase put options allows a Fund to protect unrealized gains in an appreciated security in its portfolio without actually selling the security. If the security does not drop in value, a Fund will lose the value of the premium paid. A Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased prior to the sale of the securities underlying such option. Such sale will result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option.

A Fund may sell a put option purchased on individual portfolio securities. Additionally, a Fund may enter into closing sale transactions. A closing sale transaction is one in which a Fund, when it is the holder of an outstanding option, liquidates its position by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased.

Writing Put Options . A Fund may also write put options on a secured basis which means that a Fund will segregate liquid assets with its custodian or fund accounting agent in an amount not less than the exercise price of the option at all times during the option period. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. The amount of liquid assets held in the segregated account will be adjusted on a daily basis to reflect changes in the market value of the securities covered by the put option written by a Fund. Secured put options will generally be written in circumstances where the investment adviser or subadviser wishes to purchase the underlying security for a Fund’s portfolio at a price lower than the current market price of the security. In such event, that Fund would write a secured put option at an exercise price which, reduced by the premium received on the option, reflects the lower price it is willing to pay. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

Following the writing of a put option, a Fund may wish to terminate the obligation to buy the security underlying the option by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, a Fund may not effect such a closing transaction after it has been notified of the exercise of the option.

Foreign Currency Options . A Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits that may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in investments in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. Investment in REITs may subject a Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Equity REITs generally experience these risks directly through fee or leasehold interests, whereas mortgage REITs generally experience these risks indirectly through mortgage interests unless the mortgage REIT forecloses on the underlying real estate. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of a Fund’s investment in REITs. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Rising interest rates may cause the value of the REIT securities in which a Fund may invest to fall. Conversely, falling interest rates may cause their value to rise. Changes in the value of portfolio securities does not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities but may affect a Fund’s net asset value.

Repurchase Agreements

A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements pursuant to which the Fund purchases portfolio assets from a bank or broker-dealer concurrently with an agreement by the seller to repurchase the same assets from the Fund at a later date at a fixed price. If the seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security, the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its right to realize upon the security. Additionally, the Fund may incur a loss if the value of the security should decline, as well as disposition costs in liquidating the security.

The repurchase price generally equals the price paid by a Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates (which may be more or less than the rate on the securities underlying the repurchase agreement).

The financial institutions with which a Fund may enter into repurchase agreements are banks and non-bank dealers of U.S. government securities that are listed on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s list of reporting dealers and banks, if such banks and non-bank dealers are deemed creditworthy by the investment adviser or subadviser. The investment adviser or subadviser will continue to monitor the creditworthiness of the seller under a repurchase agreement and will require the seller to maintain during the term of the agreement the value of the securities subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price.

Restricted Securities

Each Fund will limit investments in securities of issuers which a Fund is restricted from selling to the public without registration under the 1933 Act to no more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets, excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the 1933 Act, that have been determined to be liquid by the Fund’s investment adviser or subadviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board. Securities of foreign issuers that are restricted as to resale in the U.S., but are freely tradable in their local market, are not subject to this restriction.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by a Fund pursuant to that Fund’s agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and rate of interest. During the reverse repurchase agreement period, a Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on these securities. Such agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act and may be entered into only for temporary or emergency purposes. While reverse repurchase transactions are outstanding, a Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities, plus accrued interest. (Liquid securities as used in the Prospectus and this SAI include equity securities and debt securities that are unencumbered and marked-to-market daily.) Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which a Fund is obligated to repurchase such securities. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

Rule 144A Securities

A Fund may purchase securities which are not registered under the 1933 Act but which can be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in a Fund during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid unless it is determined by the investment adviser or subadviser, under guidelines approved by the Board, that an adequate trading market does not exist for these securities.

Securities Lending

A Fund may seek additional income at times by lending its portfolio securities to broker-dealers and financial institutions provided that: (1) the loan is secured by collateral that is continuously maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may call the loan at any time with proper notice and receive the securities loaned, (3) the Fund will continue to receive interest and/or dividends paid on the loaned securities and may simultaneously earn interest on the investment of any cash collateral, and (4) the aggregate market value of all securities loaned by the Fund will not at any time exceed 25% of the total assets of such Fund.

Collateral will normally consist of cash or cash equivalents, securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities or irrevocable letters of credit. Securities lending by a Fund involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities or maintain the proper amount of collateral. Therefore a Fund will only enter into such lending after a review by the investment adviser or subadviser of the borrower’s financial statements, reports and other information as may be necessary to evaluate the creditworthiness of the borrower. Such reviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis as long as the loan is outstanding.

Short-Term Trading

Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline or purchased in anticipation of a market rise and later sold. In addition, a security may be sold and another purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what a Fund believes to be a temporary disparity in the normal yield relationship between the two securities. Such trading may be expected to increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and the expenses incurred in connection with such trading and may result in recognition of greater levels of short-term capital gain, which is taxed for federal income tax purposes to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed by a Fund.

Swap Agreements

A Fund may enter into interest rate, index, equity and currency exchange rate swap agreements. These transactions would be entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to a Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.

Most swap agreements entered into by a Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, a Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of liquid assets to limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account. See also “Derivative Instruments.”

Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Except as otherwise indicated in the Fund’s Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if the net amount owed or to be received under existing contracts with that party would exceed 5% of the Fund’s assets.

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the investment adviser’s or the subadviser’s ability to correctly predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid investments. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards for creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines). Certain restrictions imposed by the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements. The swap market is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swap market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Temporary Defensive Positioning

The investments and strategies described throughout the Prospectus are those the subadviser intends to use under normal circumstances. When the subadviser determines that market or other conditions warrant, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments, or hold U.S. dollars. When a Fund is investing for temporary or defensive purposes, it is not pursuing its investment goal.

Unit Investment Trusts

A Unit Investment Trust (“UIT”) is a type of investment company. Investments in UITs are subject to regulations limiting a Fund’s acquisition of investment company securities. Standard and Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), DIAMONDS, MDYs and similar investments are interests in UITs that may be obtained directly from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market. SPDRs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index. DIAMONDS and MDYs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and of the Standard and Poor’s MidCap 400 Index, respectively.

The price of a UIT interest is derived and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a UIT interest is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for UITs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying UITs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on UITs. Trading in UITs involves risks similar to the risks, involved in the writing of options on securities, described above under “Options.”

Interests in UITs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, a Fund must accumulate a certain amount of UIT interests. The liquidity of small holdings of UITs, therefore, depends upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a UIT interest, a Fund receives securities and cash identical to the deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a UIT interest that day.

Other Investments

The Board may, in the future, authorize a Fund to invest in securities other than those listed here and in the Funds’ Prospectus, provided that such investment would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and that it would not violate any fundamental investment policies or restrictions applicable to that Fund.

CFTC Regulation

Each Fund intends to operate in compliance with the exclusion from regulation as a “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) provided by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.5, which was recently amended. Under this rule, as amended, a Fund will not be deemed to be a “commodity pool” under the CEA if the Fund uses commodity interests solely for “bona fide hedging purposes” or, subject to certain exceptions, if the Fund limits its use of commodity interests for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes to no more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

If a Fund were no longer able to claim the exclusion provided by Rule 4.5, the Fund would be required to register with the CFTC as a “commodity pool” and would become subject to regulation under the CEA, which could increase the Fund’s expenses, adversely affecting investment returns. In addition, in this event, Aston Asset Management, LP (“Aston” or the “Adviser”) would be required to register with the CFTC as a “commodity pool operator” and the applicable subadviser would be required to register with the CFTC as a “commodity trading advisor.”

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The investment objective of each Fund and investment restrictions set forth below are fundamental policies and may not be changed as to a Fund without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting shares (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentage limitations governing the investments of each Fund apply only at the time of transaction. Accordingly, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage which results from a relative change in values or from a change in a Fund’s total assets will not be considered a violation.

Neither Fund may:

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, a Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, (i) purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, other investment companies and securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of such issuer or (ii) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(5) Purchase physical commodities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief or unless acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or instruments, but this restriction shall not prohibit a Fund from purchasing futures contracts, options, foreign currencies or forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors and other financial instruments or from investing in securities of any kind.

(6) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(7) Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by a Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts or other financial instruments is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(8) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(9) Borrow money, except that a Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing.

(10) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Board. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Trust is set forth below. The term “officer” means the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, controller or any other officer who performs a policy making function.


Name, Address, Age and Position(s) with Trust	Term of Office (1) and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex (2) Overseen by Trustee	Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years	Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills for Board Membership

Independent Trustees

William E. Chapman, II c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 72 Trustee; Independent Chairman	Since 2010	President and Owner, Longboat Retirement Planning Solutions (1998-present); formerly Trustee of Bowdoin College (2002-2013); Hewitt Associates, LLC (part time) (provider of Retirement and Investment Education Seminars) (2002-2009)	25	Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (6 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (5 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio); Trustee of The Managers Funds, Managers AMG Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (39 portfolios)	Significant board experience; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; continuing service as Independent Chairman of the Board.


Name, Address, Age and Position(s) with Trust		Term of Office (1) and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex (2) Overseen by Trustee		Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years		Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills for Board Membership


Edward J. Kaier c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 68 Trustee	Since 2010	Attorney at Law and Partner, Teeters Harvey Marrone & Kaier LLP (2007-present); Attorney at Law and Partner, Hepburn Willcox Hamilton & Putnam, LLP (1977-2007)	25	Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (5 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio); Trustee of The Managers Funds, Managers AMG Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (39 portfolios)	Significant board experience; practicing attorney.

Gregory T. Mutz c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 68 Trustee	Since 1993	Chairman and CEO of AMLI Residential Properties Trust (a Multifamily REIT), a successor company to AMLI Realty Co. (2004-present); Vice Chairman of UICI (NYSE: UCI) (an insurance holding company) (2003-2004)	25	Member of Board of Genesis Financial Solutions (a privately-held company based in Portland, Oregon providing debt recovery, consumer lending and credit card services) (2005-present); a member of the Board of WAN S.A., a residential real estate company headquartered in Warsaw, Poland (2008-present); a member of the Board of Suknip International Limited, a residential real estate company headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia (2008-present); Formerly, Director of Alico, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCO) (agribusiness) (2005-2009)	Significant board experience; previous service as lead independent trustee; significant executive experience with several financial services firms.


Name, Address, Age and Position(s) with Trust		Term of Office (1) and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex (2) Overseen by Trustee		Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years		Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills for Board Membership

Steven J. Paggioli c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 63 Trustee	Since 2010	Independent Consultant (2001-present); formerly Executive Vice President and Director, The Wadsworth Group (1986-2001); Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Investment Company Administration, LLC (1990-2001); Vice President, Secretary and Director, First Fund Distributors, Inc. (1991-2001)	25	Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios (45 portfolios); Advisory Board Member, Sustainable Growth Advisors, LP; Independent Director, Chase Investment Counsel; Trustee of The Managers Funds, Managers AMG Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (39 portfolios.	Significant board experience; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; former service with financial service regulator.

Eric Rakowski c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 55 Trustee	Since 2010	Professor, University of California at Berkeley School of Law (1990-present)	25	Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (6 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (5 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio); Trustee of The Managers Funds, Managers AMG Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (39 portfolios)	Significant board experience; former practicing attorney; currently professor of law.

Robert B. Scherer c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 72 Trustee	Since 1999	President of The Rockridge Group, Ltd. (title insurance industry consulting services) (1994-present)	25	Director, Title Reinsurance Company (insurance for title agents)(1998-present)	Significant board experience; continuing service as Chair of the Audit Committee; significant executive experience as chief financial officer of insurance and financial services firm.


Name, Address, Age and Position(s) with Trust		Term of Office (1) and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex (2) Overseen by Trustee		Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years		Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills for Board Membership

Thomas R. Schneeweis c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 66 Trustee	Since 2010	Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts (2013-present); Director, CISDM at the University of Massachusetts, (1996-2013); President, TRS Associates (1982-present); President, Alternative Investment Analytics, LLC (formerly Schneeweis Partners, LLC) (2001-2013); Partner, S Capital Management, LLC (2007-present); Professor of Finance, University of Massachusetts (1977-2013); Partner, White Bear Partners, LLC (2007-2010); Partner, Northampton Capital Management, LLC (2004-2010)	25	Trustee of The Managers Funds, Managers AMG Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (39 portfolios)	Significant board experience; professor emeritus of finance; significant executive experience with several investment partnerships.
Interested Trustees

Stuart D. Bilton, CFA (3) c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 67 Trustee; Chief Executive Officer and President	Trustee since 1993; Chief Executive Officer since 2010, President since 2014	Chief Executive Officer, Aston Asset Management, LP (2006-present); Chairman, Aston Funds (1993-2010)	25	Director, Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. (property and casualty insurance firm) (1987-present); Director, Highbury Financial Inc. (2009-2010)	Significant board experience; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; former Chairman of the Board of the Trust.

Jeffrey S. Murphy (3) c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 47 Trustee	Since 2010	Senior Vice President, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2007-present); Vice President, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (1995-2007)	25	N/A	Significant financial industry experience; significant executive experience with several financial services firms.


Name, Address, Age and Position(s) with Trust		Term of Office (1) and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years		Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex (2) Overseen by Trustee		Other Trusteeships/ Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years		Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills for Board Membership

Officer(s) Who Are Not Trustees

Gerald F. Dillenburg c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 47 Senior Vice President, Secretary, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer	Since 1996	Chief Compliance Officer, Aston Asset Management, LP (2006-present); Chief Financial Officer, Aston Asset Management, LP (2006-2010); CPA	N/A	N/A	N/A

Laura M. Curylo c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 45 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	Since 2010	Chief Financial Officer, Aston Asset Management, LP (2010-present); Vice President and Controller, Aston Asset Management, LP (2006-present); CPA	N/A	N/A	N/A

Christine C. Carsman c/o Aston Funds 120 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60602 Age: 61 Chief Legal Officer	Since 2010	Senior Vice President (2007-present) and Deputy General Counsel (2011-present); Chief Regulatory Counsel (2004-2011), Vice President (2004-2007), Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.; Trustee, Managers AMG Funds, The Managers Funds, Managers Trust I and Managers Trust II (2011--present); Senior Counsel, Vice President and Director of Operational Risk Management and Compliance, Wellington Management Company, LLP (1995-2004)	N/A	N/A	N/A

(1)

A Trustee serves for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (i) removal by two-thirds of the Board or shareholders, (ii) resignation, death or incapacity, (iii) the election and qualification of his successor, in accordance with the By-Laws of the Trust, or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year in which he attains the age of 75 years. Officers serve for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (i) removal by the Board, (ii) resignation, death or incapacity, or (iii) the election and qualification of their successors, in accordance with the By-Laws of the Trust.

(2)	The term “Fund Complex” includes all series of Aston Funds.

(3)

“Interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Bilton is considered an “interested person” because of his affiliation with Aston Asset Management, LP which acts as the Funds’ investment adviser. Mr. Murphy is considered an “interested person” because of his affiliation with Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., the ultimate parent of the investment adviser, and related entities.

Board of Trustees, Leadership Structure and Committees

Experience and Qualifications

The table above provides a summary of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each Trustee in light of the Trust’s business and structure. The Board believes that the significance of each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Trustees need to be able to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties. The Board believes that each of its members has these abilities based upon their skills, experience, judgment, analytical ability, diligence, ability to work effectively with other Board members, and a commitment to the interests of shareholders. Experience relevant to having these abilities may be achieved through a Trustee’s educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., finance or law), or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board of the Trust) or as an executive of investment funds, other financial services firms, not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences.

Board Structure

The Board has general oversight responsibility with respect to the business and affairs of the Trust. Because all funds in the Fund Complex are series of the Trust, a single Board oversees the operations of all the Aston Funds. The Board establishes policies and reviews and approves contracts and their continuance. The Trustees regularly request and/or receive reports from the Adviser, the Trust’s other service providers and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”). The Board currently is composed of nine Trustees, seven of whom are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) and are designated in the table above as “Independent Trustees.” An Independent Trustee serves as the Chairman of the Board (the “Independent Chairman”). The Independent Chairman, among other things, chairs meetings of the Trustees, consults with the Chief Executive Officer on the agenda, and facilitates communication among the Independent Trustees, management of the Funds and the full Board. The Board believes that a chairman without any conflicts of interests arising from a position with Trust management promotes the independent oversight function of the Board.

The Board has established three standing committees. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the Funds’ accounting policies, financial reporting and internal control system; monitoring the work of the Funds’ independent accountants; and providing an open avenue of communication among the independent accountants, fund management and the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee is primarily responsible for the identification and recommendation of individuals for Board membership and for overseeing the administration of the Trust’s Governance Guidelines. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders whose resumes have been submitted by U.S. mail or courier service to the Trust’s Secretary for the attention of the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Scherer serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Mutz serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Valuation Committee is responsible for fair valuing securities of the Funds as may be necessary from time to time. The Valuation Committee members are Messrs. Bilton (Chairman), Scherer, Chapman (alternate) and Schneeweis (alternate). The Trust’s day-to-day operations are managed by the Adviser and other service providers. The Board and the committees meet regularly throughout the year to review the Trust’s activities, including, among others, fund performance, valuation matters and compliance with regulatory requirements, and to review contractual arrangements with service providers. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Valuation Committee held 2, 1 and 0 meeting(s), respectively, during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

Risk Oversight

Through its oversight role, through its committees and through the Trust’s officers and service providers, the Board performs a risk oversight function for the Trust consisting, among other things, of the following activities: (1) receiving and reviewing reports related to the performance and operations of the Funds at regular Board meetings, and on an ad hoc basis as needed; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust; (3) meeting with portfolio management teams to review investment strategies, techniques and the processes used to manage related risks; (4) meeting with representatives of key service providers, including the Adviser, administrator, distributor, transfer agent, custodian and independent registered public accounting firm of the Funds, to review and discuss the activities of the Funds and to provide direction with respect thereto; and (5) receiving reports from the CCO on a variety of matters at regular and special meetings of the Board and its committees, as applicable, including matters relating to risk management. The Trust’s treasurer also reports regularly to the Audit Committee on the Trust’s internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. The Audit Committee also receives reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a quarterly basis, the Board meets with the Trust’s CCO, including separate meetings with the Independent Trustees in executive session, to discuss issues related to portfolio compliance and, on at least an annual basis, receives a report from the CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance program. In addition, the Board receives reports from the Adviser and subadvisers on the investments and securities trading of the Funds, as well as reports from the Valuation Committee meetings. The Board also receives reports from the Trust’s primary service providers on a periodic or regular basis, including the Adviser and the Trust’s custodian, distributor and transfer agent. The Board also requires the Adviser to report to the Board on other matters relating to risk management on a regular and as needed basis, including reports on testing the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers.

Fund Ownership

Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities held in each Fund and the aggregate dollar range of securities in the same family of investment companies beneficially owned by each current Trustee at December 31, 2013.


Name of Trustee	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Pictet International Fund	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Independent Trustees

William E. Chapman, II	None	None	Over $100,000
Edward J. Kaier	None	None	Over $100,000

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Pictet
International Fund

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the
Guardian Capital Global
Dividend Fund

Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in
All Registered
Investment Companies
Overseen by Trustee in
Family of Investment
Companies

Gregory T. Mutz	None	None	Over $100,000
Steven J. Paggioli	None	None	Over $100,000
Eric Rakowski	None	None	Over $100,000
Robert B. Scherer	None	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Schneeweis	None	None	Over $100,000

Interested Trustees
Stuart D. Bilton	None	None	Over $100,000
Jeffrey S. Murphy	None	None	none

Remuneration

The Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with the Adviser or any subadviser receive an annual retainer, meeting fees and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for each meeting of the Board they attend. The Independent Chairman and standing committee chairs receive an additional retainer. No officer or employee of the Adviser or any subadviser or their affiliates receives any compensation from Aston Funds for acting as a Trustee of the Trust. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from Aston Funds for performing the duties of their offices, except that the Trust compensates the Administrator for providing an officer to serve as the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer.

The table below shows the total fees paid to each of the Trustees during the Trust’s most recent fiscal year. No individual, including all Trustees and officers of the Trust received more than $120,000 in aggregate compensation from the Trust for the Trust’s most recent fiscal year.

Trustee	Aggregate Compensation Received From the Trust	Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued (as part of Fund Expenses)	Annual Benefits Upon Retirement	Total Compensation from Trust and Fund Complex

Independent Trustees

William E. Chapman, II	$116,000	N/A	N/A	$116,000
Edward J. Kaier	96,000	N/A	N/A	96,000
Gregory T. Mutz	98,500	N/A	N/A	98,500
Steven J. Paggioli	96,000	N/A	N/A	96,000
Eric Rakowski	96,000	N/A	N/A	96,000
Robert B. Scherer	106,000	N/A	N/A	106,000
Thomas R. Schneeweis	96,000	N/A	N/A	96,000

Interested Trustees
Stuart D. Bilton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Jeffrey S. Murphy	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust did not own any of the outstanding shares of the Funds. However, the Adviser owned a controlling interest in each Fund. Shareholders with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of a proxy vote or the direction of management of the Funds.

Code of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser, each Fund’s subadviser, and principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics (the “Codes of Ethics”) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their restrictive provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust on behalf of the Funds.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Trust has delegated the voting of portfolio securities on behalf of the Funds to the applicable subadviser. Each subadviser has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures”) for use in connection with determining how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities, including the procedures to be used if a vote presents a conflict of interest between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and those of the applicable subadviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are included under Appendix A.

After the Funds have commenced operations, information regarding how the Trust voted proxies, on behalf of the Funds, related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge on the Trust’s website at www.astonfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Adviser

As described in the Prospectus, the Trust employs Aston to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund and to continuously review, supervise and administer each Fund’s investment programs under an investment advisory agreement with respect to each Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). Aston has engaged subadvisers to manage the day-to-day investment management of each Fund’s portfolio. The advisory services provided by Aston for the Funds and the fees received by it for such services are described in the Prospectus.

Aston is a majority-owned and independently managed indirect subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”). A wholly-owned subsidiary of AMG, Manor LLC, serves as the General Partner of Aston and senior management and key employees of Aston have an equity interest in Aston. Aston commenced operations on December 1, 2006, and converted to a Delaware limited partnership on April 15, 2010 in connection with AMG’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Aston. Aston is located at 120 N. LaSalle Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602. As of March 31, 2014, Aston had approximately $15.8 billion in assets under management.

AMG, a Delaware corporation with a principal place of business at 600 Hale Street, Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965, is an asset management company that holds interests in investment management firms. The common stock of AMG is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AMG. Pro forma for a pending investment, the aggregate assets under management of AMG’s affiliated investment management firms were approximately $544 billion at December 31, 2013.

For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with Aston, Aston receives a management fee from each Fund at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly, at the following rates:

Fund		Gross Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
ASTON/Pictet International Fund		0.90%
ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund		0.80%

Aston has entered into an Expense Reimbursement Agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, through April 9, 2015, under which Aston will waive its fees or reimburse its expenses to the extent that a Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, not including interest, taxes, investment-related costs (such as brokerage commissions), extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, exceeds the applicable rates shown in the table below:

Fund	Class N	Class I
ASTON/Pictet International Fund	1.40%	1.15%
ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund	1.30%	1.05%

In connection with the Expense Reimbursement Agreement for each class of shares, each Fund has agreed that for a period of up to three years from the end of the fiscal year end in which such amount was waived or reimbursed, the Adviser is entitled to be reimbursed by the Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed from the commencement of operations of each class of shares through the completion of the first three full fiscal years of that class to the extent that the Fund’s expense ratio with respect to that class, not including interest, taxes, investment related costs (such as brokerage commissions), extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, remains below the operating expense cap after such reimbursement.

Aston may from time to time voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fees with respect to a Fund and/or reimburse a portion of a Fund’s expenses. These voluntary waivers do not include fees and expenses from investment in other investment companies (acquired funds) or interest expense. Aston may terminate such voluntary waivers/reimbursements at any time.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the performance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

The Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Aston may be terminated with respect to a Fund by vote of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, at any time without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to Aston. Aston may also terminate its advisory relationship with respect to a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Aston shall: (i) manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds, (ii) continuously review, supervise and administer the investment program of the Funds, (iii) determine, in its discretion, the assets to be held uninvested, (iv) provide the Trust with records concerning the Adviser’s activities which are required to be maintained by the Trust and (v) render regular reports to the Trust’s officers and Board concerning the Adviser’s discharge of the foregoing responsibilities. The Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the oversight of the Trust’s officers and the Board and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s then effective prospectus and SAI.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund has an initial term ending December 31, 2015 and continues in effect for the Funds from year to year thereafter for so long as its continuation is approved at least annually (a) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party except in their capacity as Trustees of a Fund or (b) by the shareholders of a Fund or the Board.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with Aston also provides that Aston shall have the authority subject to applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder, to select one or more subadvisers to provide day-to-day portfolio management with respect to all or a portion of the assets of a Fund and to allocate and reallocate the assets of a Fund between and among any subadvisers so selected pursuant to a “manager-of-managers” structure. Under this structure, Aston also has the authority to retain and terminate subadvisers, engage new subadvisers and make material revisions to the terms of the sub-investment advisory agreement for a Fund (the “Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement”) subject to approval of the Board, but not shareholder approval.

As described above, Aston is paid a management fee at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of a Fund. Out of its fee, Aston pays the subadvisers. Because Aston will pay each subadviser’s fees out of its own fees from the Fund, there will not be any “duplication” of advisory fees paid by a Fund.

A discussion regarding the Board’s basis for approving the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Funds and Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements will be available in the Funds’ next annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

Subadvisers

On April 9, 2014, Aston entered into a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement with Pictet Asset Management Limited (“PAM” or the “Subadviser”) with respect to the ASTON/Pictet International Fund. The Subadviser is the investment subadviser to the ASTON/Pictet International Fund. PAM is part of the Pictet group, which was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1805. PAM is located at Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET, United Kingdom. Under the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Subadviser manages the portfolio of the Fund, selects investments and places all orders for purchases and sales of the Fund’s securities, subject to the general oversight of the Board and the Adviser.

On April 9, 2014, Aston entered into a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement with Guardian Capital LP (“Guardian” or the “Subadviser”) with respect to the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund. The Subadviser is the investment subadviser to the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund. Guardian was founded in 1962 as Guardian Management Ltd. and is a subsidiary of Guardian Capital Group Limited. Guardian is located at Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Suite 3100, Toronto, ON, M5L 1E8 Canada. Under the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Subadviser manages the portfolio of the Fund, selects investments and places all orders for purchases and sales of the Fund’s securities, subject to the general oversight of the Board and the Adviser.

Each Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement provides that neither the Subadviser nor any of its directors, officers, stockholders, agents or employees shall have any liability to a Fund or to the Adviser for any error of judgment, any mistake of law, or any loss arising out of any investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance by the Subadviser of its duties under the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement except for liability resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. Each Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement continues for the same term as the Investment Advisory Agreement and is subject to the same requirements for renewal.

For the services provided pursuant to each Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, Aston pays each subadviser a fee computed daily and payable monthly. The standard sub-advisory fee rate is 50% of the applicable advisory fee less any expense waivers or reimbursements and certain payments to third-party intermediaries. In certain limited circumstances, exceptions to the standard fee schedule apply.

Pictet Asset Management Limited

The table below shows other accounts for which the portfolio managers of the ASTON/Pictet International Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of December 31, 2013.


Portfolio Manager	Number of Accounts Managed	Total Assets Managed (in millions)	Number of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance	Assets Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance
Fabio Paolini, CFA
Registered Investment Companies	0	$0	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	2	$366.8	0	$0
Other Accounts	14	$2,895.9	0	$0

Swee-Kheng Lee
Registered Investment Companies	0	$0	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	2	$366.8	0	$0
Other Accounts	14	$2,895.9	0	$0

Benjamin Beneche, CFA
Registered Investment Companies	0	$0	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	2	$366.8	0	$0
Other Accounts	14	$2,895.9	0	$0

Material Conflicts of Interest. The portfolio managers oversee multiple accounts in the investment strategy which includes the Fund. The portfolio managers make decisions at the strategy level and implement those decisions at the account level based on the specific investment objectives, policies, practices and other relevant investment considerations that the portfolio managers believe are applicable to each account. Consequently, the portfolio managers may purchase securities for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. PAM has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, although there is no assurance that such policies and procedures will adequately address such conflicts.

Compensation. The portfolio managers’ total compensation typically comprises a fixed salary; a performance-related bonus (which directly links their pay with the investment performance they deliver to clients); Pictet Parts (an annual profit sharing arrangement based on group results, linking pay to group results); and, for key senior executives, Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (linking pay to the long-term growth and continued success of PAM). The variable elements of pay create a direct link between pay and performance, aligning the staff’s incentives with the best interests of PAM’s clients.

Ownership of Securities. As of the date of the SAI, the Fund had yet to commence operations and the portfolio managers did not beneficially own equity securities in the Fund.

Guardian Capital LP

The table below shows other accounts for which the portfolio managers of the ASTON/Guardian Capital Global Dividend Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of December 31, 2013.


Portfolio Manager	Number of Accounts Managed	Total Assets Managed (in millions)	Number of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance	Assets Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance
Srikanth Iyer
Registered Investment Companies	0	$0.0	0	$0.0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	14	$669.7	0	$0.0
Other Accounts	39	$947.2	0	$0.0

Fiona Wilson
Registered Investment Companies	0	$0.0	0	$0.0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	14	$669.7	0	$0.0
Other Accounts	39	$947.2	0	$0.0

Material Conflicts of Interest. The portfolio manager oversees multiple accounts in the investment strategy which includes the Fund. The portfolio managers make decisions at the strategy level and implement those decisions at the account level based on the specific investment objectives, policies, practices and other relevant investment considerations that the portfolio managers believe are applicable to each account. Consequently, the portfolio managers may purchase securities for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. Guardian has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, although there is no assurance that such policies and procedures will adequately address such conflicts.

Compensation. The overall objective of Guardian’s compensation program for portfolio managers is to attract competent and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate, are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contribution to the success of their clients and the firm. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, performance bonus, profit sharing and equity incentives. Bonuses and salary generally represent most of the portfolio managers’ compensation. However, in some cases, portfolio managers may have a profit sharing interest in the revenue or income related to the areas for which the portfolio managers are responsible. Such profit sharing arrangements can comprise a significant portion of a portfolio manager’s overall compensation.

Base Salary: Guardian’s base salaries are competitive with other money management firms according to studies Guardian conducts and reviews periodically.

Performance Bonus: Investment personnel are entitled to a performance bonus based on achieving above benchmark returns and/or our other performance related targets that properly measure their success at managing client assets.

Profit Sharing: Individual professional staff may also be awarded participation in profit sharing of the revenue or income related to the areas for which the portfolio managers are responsible.

Equity Incentives: Portfolio managers participate in equity incentives based on overall firm performance through direct ownership interests or participation in stock option or stock appreciation plans. These ownership interests or participation interests provide eligible portfolio managers the opportunity to participate in the financial performance of Guardian as a whole. Participation is generally determined in Guardian’s discretion, taking into account factors relevant to the portfolio manager’s contribution to the success of Guardian.

Ownership of Securities. As of the date of the SAI, the Fund had yet to commence operations and the portfolio managers did not beneficially own equity securities in the Fund.

Administrator

Under the Administration Agreement between Aston and the Trust, the Administrator is responsible for: (1) coordinating with the custodian and transfer agent and monitoring the services they provide to the Funds, (2) coordinating with and monitoring any other third parties furnishing services to the Funds, (3) providing the Funds with necessary office space, telephones and other communications facilities and personnel competent to perform administrative and clerical functions, (4) supervising the maintenance by third parties of such books and records of the Funds as may be required by applicable federal or state law, (5) preparing or supervising the preparation by third parties of all federal, state and local tax returns and reports of the Funds required by applicable law, (6) preparing and, after approval by the Funds, filing and arranging for the distribution of proxy materials and periodic reports to shareholders of the Funds as required by applicable law, (7) preparing and, after approval by the Trust, arranging for the filing of such registration statements and other documents with the SEC and other federal and state regulatory authorities as may be required by applicable law, (8) reviewing and submitting to the officers of the Trust for their approval invoices or other requests for payment of the Funds’ expenses and instructing the custodian to issue checks in payment thereof and (9) taking such other action with respect to the Trust or the Funds as may be necessary in the opinion of the Administrator to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement.

As compensation for services performed under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator receives an administration fee payable monthly at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Trust.

Administration Fees

The fee schedule to the Administration Agreement is as follows:

Percentage		Average Daily Net Assets (Aggregate Fund Complex)
0.0437%		Up to $7.4 billion
0.0412%		Over $7.4 billion

The Administrator also receives a monthly base fee in the amount of $1,000 per Fund.

Subadministrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon” or the “Subadministrator”), 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581, provides certain administrative services for the Funds and Aston pursuant to a Subadministration and Accounting Services Agreement (the “Subadministration Agreement”) between Aston and BNY Mellon.

As Subadministrator, BNY Mellon provides the Trust with subadministrative services, including fund accounting, regulatory reporting, necessary office space, equipment, personnel and facilities. Compensation for these services is paid under the Subadministration Agreement with the Administrator.

Subadministration Fees

The Subadministrator receives an administration fee payable by the Administrator. Under the terms of the Subadministration Agreement, subadministration fees (inclusive of tax service fees) paid by the Administrator, are accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.0167% of average daily net assets of the Trust inclusive of fees for tax services. In addition, the Administrator pays the Subadministrator a base subadministration fee monthly in the amount of $1,000 per Fund. The fees may be subject to an annual increase by BNY Mellon, in an amount not to exceed the cumulative percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) U.S. City Average, all items (unadjusted) published since the last such increase in fees. The first such annual increase, of 1.70%, was effective October 1, 2013.

Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (formerly, BNY Mellon Distributors, LLC) (the “Distributor”), 400 Berwyn Park, 899 Cassatt Road, Berwyn, PA 19312, and the Trust are parties to a distribution agreement effective April 1, 2012 (the “Distribution Agreement”) under which the Distributor serves as statutory underwriter and facilitates the registration and distribution of shares of each series of the Trust on a continuous basis.

After the initial term, the Distribution Agreement shall be renewed for successive one-year terms, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement and who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Distribution Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without penalty, on at least 60 days’ written notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by the Distributor. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder).

Distribution and Services Plan

The Board has adopted a distribution and services plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which permits the Class N shares of the Funds to pay certain expenses associated with the distribution of Fund shares and the provision of services to shareholder accounts.

Rule 12b-1 regulates the circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or the Distributor, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). In adopting the Plan, the Independent Trustees concluded in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit a Fund and its shareholders by resulting in greater sales of Fund shares. The Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Plan may be amended by vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, except that any change that would effect a material increase in any distribution fee with respect to a Fund (or class) requires the approval of the Fund’s (or class’s) shareholders. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Independent Trustees.

To the Trust’s knowledge, no “interested person” of the Trust, nor any Independent Trustee has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan.

Under the Plan, each Fund may pay amounts not exceeding, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class N shares. From this amount, the Distributor may make payments to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies, investment counselors, broker-dealers, and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries as compensation for services, reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance or provision of shareholder services. The Plan is characterized as a reimbursement plan and is directly tied to expenses incurred by the Distributor; the payments the Distributor receives during any year may not exceed its actual expenses.

Redemption Fees

The Trust requests that banks, broker-dealers and other intermediaries holding omnibus accounts with the Funds impose redemption fees at the shareholder account level. However, redemption fees may not apply to certain types of accounts held through intermediaries, including: (1) certain pension, profit-sharing and retirement plans; (2) certain broker wrap-fee and other fee-based programs; (3) certain omnibus accounts where the omnibus account holder does not have the system capability to impose a redemption fee on its underlying customers’ accounts; and (4) certain intermediaries that do not have, or do not report to the Funds, sufficient information to impose a redemption fee on their customers’ accounts.

In addition, redemption fees do not apply to: (i) premature distributions from retirement accounts due to the disability or health of the shareholder; (ii) minimum required distributions from retirement accounts; (iii) return of excess contributions in retirement accounts where the excess is reinvested into the Funds; (iv) redemptions resulting in the settlement of an estate due to the death of the shareholder; (v) redemptions of shares purchased through an Automatic Investment Plan; (vi) redemptions as part of a systematic withdrawal plan; and (vii) reinvested distributions (dividends and capital gains). Contact your financial intermediary or refer to your plan documents for more information on how the redemption fee is applied to your shares.

In addition to the circumstances noted in the preceding paragraph, the Funds’ Administrator may waive the redemption fee at its discretion where it believes such waiver is in the best interests of a Fund and in accordance with the Funds’ policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, when it determines that imposition of the redemption fee is not necessary to deter short-term trading.

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as custodian of the Trust’s assets on behalf of the Funds.

Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581, serves as transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Trust.

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Vedder Price P.C., with offices at 222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, serves as counsel to the Trust.

Mayer Brown LLP, with offices at 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees.

Ernst & Young LLP, with offices at 155 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, is the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

Each Subadviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, for the placement of its portfolio business and the negotiation of commissions, if any, paid on such transactions. In placing trades for a Fund, the Subadviser will follow the Trust’s policy of seeking best execution of orders under the circumstances. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are generally traded on a net basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission. In over-the-counter transactions, orders are placed directly with a principal market-maker unless a better price and execution can be obtained by using a broker. Brokerage commissions are paid on transactions in listed securities, futures contracts and options.

Each Subadviser attempts to obtain the best overall price and most favorable execution of transactions in portfolio securities. However, subject to policies established by the Board, a Fund may pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a portfolio transaction for a Fund in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged if the Subadviser determines in good faith that the commission paid was reasonable in relation to the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or such firm’s overall responsibilities with respect to the clients, including the Fund, as to which it exercises investment discretion. In selecting and monitoring broker-dealers and negotiating commissions, consideration will be given to a broker-dealer’s reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial condition, among other things. Research services furnished by broker-dealers through whom a Fund effects securities transactions may be used by the Subadviser, as the case may be, in servicing all of their respective accounts; not all such services may be used in connection with the Fund. The term “research services” may include, but is not limited to, advice as to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; and analyses or reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy or the performance of accounts.

It is likely that the broker-dealers selected based on the foregoing considerations will include firms that also sell shares of a Fund to their customers. However, the Subadviser does not consider sales of Fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund and, accordingly, the Trust has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent sales of Fund shares from being considered as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund.

Payments to Intermediaries

A financial intermediary may offer different classes of shares to its customers and differing services to the classes, and thus, receive compensation with respect to different classes. Intermediaries may also charge separate fees to their customers. Intermediaries that distribute Fund shares and/or provide sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and/or shareholder services for Fund shareholder accounts may be compensated by the Adviser, in addition to any payments made by the Distributor under the Plan. These additional payments may be subject to reimbursement by a Fund, as described below, and/or they may be made by the Adviser out of its own assets, and not as additional charges to a Fund. A Fund may reimburse the Adviser for payments made to certain intermediaries that provide sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and/or shareholder services for Fund shareholder accounts in an amount of up to 0.09% annually of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition, the Adviser may compensate intermediaries out of its own assets, and not as additional charges to a Fund, for providing distribution-related services to the Funds and/or services to Fund shareholder accounts, which may include, without limitation: 1) the sale of Fund shares, 2) sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting, administrative and shareholder processing services, and 3) marketing support, access to a third party platform, fund offering list or other marketing programs and/or “shelf space.” Payments in connection with marketing programs may include, but are not limited to, inclusion of a Fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund “supermarket” platforms and other formal sales programs granting access to the intermediary’s sales force and obtaining other forms of marketing support. Additional payments may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. Payments that are in addition to payments made by the Distributor under the Plan may represent a premium over payments made by other fund families, and intermediary investment professionals may have an added incentive to sell or recommend a Fund or share class over others offered by competing fund families. These payments may differ for a fund within the Aston family of funds, including within the same intermediary or within the same fund at the same intermediary, or for the same fund across certain intermediaries.

A number of factors are considered in determining whether to make Additional Payments. Such factors may include, without limitation, the level or type of services provided by the Intermediary, the level or expected level of assets or sales of shares, the Fund’s status on a preferred or recommended fund list, access to an Intermediary’s personnel, and other factors. In addition to such payments, the Adviser may offer other incentives, including sponsorship of Intermediary and third-party sponsored educational seminars or other events for investment professionals and clients, and payment or reimbursement of expenses, including but not limited to meals and hotel accommodations, incurred by Intermediary investment professionals in connection with certain meetings held by the Trust or the Adviser for the purpose of training or education of such Intermediary investment professionals.

Portfolio Turnover

The portfolio turnover rate for a Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio investments for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio investments owned during the reporting period. The calculation excludes any in-kind transfers of securities into or out of the Funds, as well as all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within

a particular year and may be affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which must be met for the Funds to receive favorable federal income tax treatment. Portfolio turnover is generally not expected to exceed 100% in the Funds. A high portfolio turnover rate (i.e., over 100%) may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains and involves correspondingly greater transaction costs. Distributions derived from net short-term capital gains of a Fund (i.e., net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. To the extent that net long-term capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss) are realized, distributions derived from such gains are generally treated as capital gain dividends for federal income tax purposes and taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Funds’ portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar month are generally posted on the Aston Funds website, www.astonfunds.com, on or about the fifteenth day after month-end. Portfolio holdings are made available to investors and to intermediaries selling Fund shares only after their public disclosure.

The Trust’s policies and procedures governing disclosure of portfolio holdings permit nonpublic portfolio holdings to be shared with a Fund’s service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities, including the Trust’s custodian, pricing services, fund accountants, Adviser, a Fund’s Subadviser, Administrator, Subadministrator, independent public accountants, attorneys, officers and Trustees and each of their respective affiliates and advisers, and are subject to duties of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on nonpublic information. Nonpublic portfolio holdings may also be disclosed by a Fund or its duly authorized service providers to certain third parties, including mutual fund evaluation services, rating agencies, lenders or providers of borrowing facilities, provided that (i) a good faith determination is made that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose to provide the information and the disclosure is in the Fund’s best interests; (ii) the recipient agrees not to distribute the portfolio holdings or the results of any related analysis to third parties, other departments, or persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling shares of the Fund prior to the portfolio holdings becoming public information; and (iii) the recipient is subject to an obligation to maintain such information confidential. These conditions do not apply to portfolio holdings released to such third parties after it is posted on the website.

Disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings information as an exception to the Trust’s policies and procedures must be approved by the CCO or Chief Executive Officer of the Trust. No compensation or other consideration is received by the Trust or any affiliates of the Trust for disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board receives reports of any potential exceptions to, or violations of, the Trust’s policies and procedures governing disclosure of portfolio holdings that are deemed to constitute a material compliance matter. The CCO or his designee is responsible for monitoring compliance with these procedures, including requesting information from service providers.

Each Fund discloses its portfolio holdings to the extent required by law.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value. Class N shares and Class I shares are the two classes of shares currently issued by the Funds. Neither class is subject to an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge. Class N shares are

subject to a 12b-1 fee with a maximum annual fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Because each class has different expenses, performance will vary. Shares of a Fund represent equal proportionate interests in the assets of the Fund only and have identical voting, dividend, redemption, liquidation and other rights except that Class I shares have no rights with respect to a Fund’s Plan. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional shares and no conversion rights.

Minimum Initial Investments

Class N shares have a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and a $50 minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial investment for the Class N shares of the Funds by Individual Retirement Accounts, Education Savings Accounts and Uniform Gift to Minor Accounts/Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts is $500. The subsequent minimum investment for each account type is $50.

Class I shares have a minimum initial investment of $1,000,000 and a $50 minimum subsequent investment.

For purposes of the investment minimum, the balances of Fund accounts of clients of a financial consultant may be aggregated in determining whether the minimum investment has been met. This aggregation may also be applied to the accounts of immediate family members (i.e., a person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings and in-laws). In addition, the aggregation may be applied to the related accounts of a corporation or other legal entity. The Funds may waive the minimum initial investment by obtaining a letter of intent, evidencing an investor’s intention of meeting the minimum initial investment in a specified period of time as continually reviewed and approved by the Board. The minimum investment requirement may be waived for Trustees of the Trust and employees of the Adviser and their spouses, employees of a Fund’s Subadviser and their spouses and affiliates of the Adviser. The minimum investment requirement may be waived for certain omnibus accounts, mutual fund advisory platforms and registered investment advisors, banks, trust companies or similar financial institutions investing for their own account or for the account of their clients or customers for whom such institution is exercising investment discretion, or otherwise acting on behalf of clients or customers. The minimum investment requirement may be waived for individual accounts of a financial intermediary that charges an ongoing fee for its services or offers shares through a no-load network or platform, and for accounts invested through fee-based advisory accounts, certain “wrap” programs and similar programs with approved intermediaries. The Trust reserves the right to waive a Fund’s minimum initial investment requirement for any reason.

There is no sales load or charge in connection with the purchase of shares. The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares of a Fund. Each Fund also reserves the right to change the initial and subsequent investment minimums.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws

The Funds are required to comply with various federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, a Fund may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or a Fund may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a government agency.

Customer Identification Program

Federal law requires each Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with Aston Funds. An investor may be an individual or a

person other than an individual (such as a corporation, partnership or trust). Such identifying information may include the name, residential or business street address, principal place of business, local office or other physical location (for a person other than an individual), date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, Aston Funds reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in Aston Funds or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares at the current share price and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified within 90 days regardless of the type of account. This may cause shares in the investor’s account to be redeemed at a loss. You may be subject to taxes if Aston Funds liquidates your account due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. Aston Funds and its agents will not be responsible for any loss or adverse tax effect in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

Voting Rights

Each issued and outstanding full and fractional share of the Fund is entitled to one full and fractional vote. Shares of a Fund participate equally in regard to dividends, distributions and liquidations with respect to the Fund subject to preferences (such as 12b-1 fees), rights or privileges of any share class. Shareholders have equal non-cumulative voting rights. Class N shares of a Fund have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Plan for the Fund. On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares of the Fund will vote separately except when a vote of shareholders in the aggregate is required by law, or when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one fund of the Aston Funds, in which case the shareholders of all such Funds shall be entitled to vote thereon.

Shareholder Meetings

The Board does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds. The Trust Instrument provides that the Board will call a meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee when requested to do so by shareholders owning not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of a Fund entitled to vote. In addition, subject to certain conditions, shareholders of a Fund may apply to the Trust to communicate with other shareholders to request a shareholders’ meeting to vote upon the removal of a Trustee.

Certain Provis i ons of the Trust Instrument

Under Delaware law, the shareholders of a Fund will not be personally liable for the obligations of the Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of corporations. To guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states, the Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of the Trust or a Fund contain a statement that such obligation may only be enforced against the assets of the Trust or Fund and provides for indemnification out of Trust or Fund property of any shareholder nevertheless held personally liable for Trust or Fund obligations.

Expenses

Expenses attributable to the Trust, but not to a particular Fund, will be allocated to each Fund of the Aston Funds on the basis of relative net assets of the Funds. Similarly, expenses attributable to a particular fund, but not to a particular class thereof, will be allocated to each class of such Fund on the basis of relative net assets of the classes. General Trust expenses may include but are not limited to:

insurance premiums, Trustee fees, expenses of maintaining the Trust’s legal existence and fees of industry organizations. General Fund expenses may include but are not limited to: audit fees, brokerage commissions, registration of Fund shares with the SEC, fees to the various state securities commissions, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing required documents such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current shareholders, fees of a Fund’s custodian, Administrator, Subadministrator, transfer agent and other service providers, including reimbursements to the Adviser for payments made to third-party service providers that provide sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and/or shareholder services for shareholder accounts, and costs of obtaining quotations of portfolio securities and pricing of Fund shares. Class-specific expenses relating to distribution and service fee payments associated with a Plan for a particular class of shares and other costs relating to implementing or amending such Plan (including obtaining shareholder approval of such Plan or any amendment thereto) will be borne solely by shareholders of such class. Other fees and expenses that may differ between classes may include but are not limited to, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a specific class, and expenses incurred as a result of matters relating to a specific class.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser or other service providers may waive or reimburse the fees and expenses of a specific fund or a class or classes to the extent permitted under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.

NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share of each Fund is computed as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE on each day the NYSE is open for trading, typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The NYSE is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The net asset value per share is computed by adding the value of all securities and other assets in the portfolio, deducting any liabilities (expenses and fees are accrued daily) and dividing by the number of shares outstanding. The equity portfolio securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ Official Closing Price, when appropriate. If no last sale price or NASDAQ Official Closing Price, when appropriate, is reported, the mean of the last bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices. When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, securities and other assets are valued at fair value as determined by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board.

Fixed income securities are valued using evaluated prices obtained from independent pricing services in accordance with guidelines adopted and periodically reviewed by the Board. Options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price as determined by the appropriate clearing corporation.

Quotations of foreign securities denominated in foreign currency are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents using foreign exchange quotations received from independent dealers. The calculation of the net asset value of a Fund may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of certain portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Further, under the Trust’s procedures, the prices of foreign securities are determined using information derived from pricing services and other sources. Information that becomes known to the Trust or its agents after the time that net asset value is calculated on any Business Day may be assessed in determining net asset value per share after the time of receipt of the information, but will not be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security so determined earlier or on a prior day. Events affecting the values of portfolio securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) may not be reflected in the calculation of net asset value. If events affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at fair value as determined by the Adviser and Subadvisers in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board. The Funds have retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service to assist in the fair valuation of securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign exchange and the time as of which the Funds shares are priced.

REDEMPTIONS IN-KIND

Larger redemptions may be detrimental to a Fund’s existing shareholders. While each Fund intends to pay all sales proceeds in cash, the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, reserves the right to honor any request for redemption in excess of $250,000 during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in the form of certain securities of the Fund chosen by the Fund and valued the same way as they are valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value. This is called “redemption-in-kind.” A shareholder may need to pay certain sales charges related to a redemption-in-kind, such as brokerage commissions, when the securities are sold. For shares that are not held in a tax deferred account, redemptions-in-kind are taxable for federal income tax purposes in the same manner as when sales proceeds are paid in cash.

DIVIDENDS

Income dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares at net asset value, unless you elect to receive them in cash. Distribution options may be changed at any time by requesting a change in writing. Any check in payment of dividends or other distributions which cannot be delivered by the Post Office or which remains uncashed for a period of more than one year may be reinvested in the shareholder’s account at the then current net asset value and the dividend option may be changed from cash to reinvest. Dividends are reinvested on the ex-dividend date at the net asset value determined at the close of business on that date. Please note that shares purchased shortly before the record date for a dividend or distribution may have the effect of returning capital, although such dividends and distributions are subject to federal income taxes in the same manner as other distributions.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The following is intended to be a general summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Funds. It is not intended as a complete discussion of all such consequences or a discussion of circumstances applicable to certain types of shareholders. Investors are therefore advised to consult their tax advisors before making an investment decision.

Fund Taxation

The Funds intend to qualify and to continue to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In order to so qualify, each Fund must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships, (ii) distribute at least 90% of its dividend, interest and certain other taxable income each year and 90% of its net tax exempt income and (iii) at the end of each fiscal quarter (a) maintain at least 50% of the value of its total assets in cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities of issuers which represent, with respect to each issuer, no more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) have no more than 25% of the value of its total assets invested in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The requirements for qualification as a RIC may significantly limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in some investments.

To the extent that a Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, it will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains paid to shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gains distributions.

A federal excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of a Fund’s “required distribution” over actual distributions in any calendar year. Generally, the “required distribution” is 98% of a Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 plus undistributed amounts from prior years. The Funds intend to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax.

If a Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute to shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such accrued income, to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, a Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.

A Fund may acquire market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If a Fund invests in a market discount bond, it generally will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the extent of the accrued market discount, unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues.

A Fund’s transactions, if any, in forward contracts, options, futures contracts and hedged investments may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gain and loss realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gain or loss is ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer the Fund’s losses, and affect whether capital gain and loss is characterized as long-term or short-term. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding federal income and excise taxes. Each Fund will monitor its transactions, make the appropriate tax elections, and make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any option, futures contract, forward contract, or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC, and minimize the imposition of federal income and excise taxes.

If an option which a Fund has written expires on its stipulated expiration date, the Fund recognizes a short-term capital gain. If a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option which the Fund has written, the Fund realizes a short-term capital gain (or loss if the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is extinguished. If a call option which a Fund has written is exercised, the Fund realizes a capital gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale are increased by the premium originally received.

If an option which a Fund has purchased expires on the stipulated expiration date, the Fund realizes a short-term or long-term capital loss for federal income tax purposes in the amount of the cost of the option. If a Fund exercises a put option, it realizes a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period of the underlying security) from the sale of the underlying security which will be decreased by the premium originally paid.

Options held by a Fund at the end of each fiscal year on a broad-based stock index are treated under the Code as Section 1256 contracts and will be required to be “marked-to-market” (i.e., treated as if they were sold) for federal income tax purposes. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on such deemed sales or on any actual sales will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss (“60/40 gain or loss”). Certain other options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts utilized by a Fund are also Section 1256 contracts. These Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and on October 31 of each year for purposes of the 4% excise tax) are also “marked-to-market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss, together with the gain or loss on actual sales, is treated as a 60/40 gain or loss.

A Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other transactions could be treated as the constructive sale of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.

The application of certain requirements for qualification as a RIC and the application of certain other federal income tax rules may be unclear in some respects in connection with investments in certain derivatives and other investments. As a result, a Fund may be required to limit the extent to which it invests in such investments and it is also possible that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may not agree with a Fund’s treatment of such investments. In addition, the tax treatment of derivatives and certain other investments may be affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and guidance issued by the IRS (which could apply retroactively) that could affect the timing, character and amount of a Fund’s income and gains and distributions to shareholders, affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the requirements to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid federal income and excise taxes or limit the extent to which a Fund may invest in certain derivatives and other investments in the future.

Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that a Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund’s shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as RICs. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a RIC realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as an ordinary deduction. In particular, a Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of other investment companies against its ordinary income. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that a Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from a Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.

A Fund may invest to a limited degree in entities that are treated as qualified publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership is included in the sources of income from which a RIC may derive 90% of its gross income. However, no more than 25% of the value of a RIC’s total assets at the end of each fiscal quarter may be invested in securities of qualified publicly traded partnerships. If an entity in which a Fund invests is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be taxable on its allocable share of the entity’s income regardless of whether the Fund receives any distribution from the entity. Thus, the Fund may be required to sell other securities in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a RIC and to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Distributions to a Fund from an entity that is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital to the extent of the Fund’s basis in its interest in the entity. If a Fund’s basis is reduced to zero, distributions will constitute capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

Distributions from royalty income trusts will be treated as dividend income eligible under the 90% income test described above if the trust is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Funds will invest only in royalty income trusts that are expected to be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues income or receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain other instruments, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also may be treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “Section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

If a Fund receives an “excess distribution” with respect to the stock of a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), the Fund itself may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of the excess distribution, whether or not the corresponding income is distributed by the Fund to shareholders. In general, a foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC for a taxable year if at least 50% of its assets constitute certain investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is certain investment-type income.

Under the PFIC rules, an excess distribution is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which a Fund held the PFIC stock. The Fund itself will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including interest) on the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is so allocated to prior taxable years. Certain distributions from a PFIC as well as gain from the sale of PFIC stock are treated as excess distributions. Excess distributions are characterized as ordinary income even though, absent application of the PFIC rules, certain excess distributions might have been classified as capital gain.

Rather than being taxed on the PFIC income as discussed above, a Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment. Under an election that currently is available in certain circumstances, the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gain annually, regardless of whether distributions are received from the PFIC in a given year. In addition, another election may be available that would involve marking to market a Fund’s PFIC shares at the end of each taxable year (and on certain other dates prescribed in the Code), with the result that unrealized gains are treated as though they were realized and treated as ordinary income or loss (subject to certain limitations). If this election were made, federal income tax at the Fund level under the PFIC rules would generally be eliminated, but the Fund could, in limited circumstances, incur nondeductible interest charges. A Fund’s intention to qualify annually as a RIC may limit its options with respect to PFIC shares.

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains and the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income with respect to PFIC shares, and may subject a Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to shareholders and that will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares.

A Fund’s investments in REITs may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income (see “Shareholder Taxation” below).

A Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS, a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT (or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The notice provides that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (a) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (b) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a federal income tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (c) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (as defined by the Code) is a record holder of a share in a RIC, then the RIC will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the highest federal income tax rate imposed on corporations.

Shareholder Taxation

Shareholders will be subject to federal income taxes on distributions made by a Fund whether received in cash or additional shares of the Fund. Distributions of net investment income (including any net short-term capital gain in excess of any net long-term capital loss), other than “qualified dividend income,” if any, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of qualified dividend income, as such term is defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Code (generally dividends received from U.S. domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations), by a Fund to its non-corporate shareholders generally will be taxed at the federal income tax rates applicable to net capital gain, provided certain holding period and other requirements described below are satisfied. Dividends received from REITs and certain foreign corporations generally will not constitute qualified dividend income. Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, without regard to how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable to individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers at a maximum federal income tax rate of 20%. Dividends paid by a Fund may also qualify in part for the 70% dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, provided that certain holding period and other requirements under the Code are satisfied. Generally, however, dividends received from most REITs and on stocks of foreign issuers are not eligible for the dividends received deduction when distributed to a Fund’s corporate shareholders.

To be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income, shareholders generally must hold their shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date. In order for dividends received by a Fund’s shareholders to be treated as qualified dividend income, the Fund must also meet holding period and other requirements with respect to such dividend paying stocks it owns. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income at the Fund level if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for 60 days or fewer during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 90 days or fewer during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date). In addition to the above holding period requirements, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level), (1) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (2) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (3) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with an exception for stock that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a PFIC.

If a Fund receives dividends from another investment company, including an ETF, that qualifies as a RIC and the investment company designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund may in turn designate that portion of its distributions derived from those dividends as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the investment company.

Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record during such month and paid by January 31 of the following year will be taxable in the year they are declared, rather than the year in which they are received. Each Fund will notify its shareholders each year of the amount and type of dividends and distributions it paid.

Gain or loss realized upon a redemption or other disposition (such as an exchange) of shares of a Fund by a shareholder will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and, if not held for such period, as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss on the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain dividends paid to the shareholder with respect to such shares. Any loss a shareholder realizes on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed if the shareholder acquires other shares of a Fund (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) or substantially identical stock or securities within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shareholder’s sale or exchange of the shares. In such case, the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Capital losses may be subject to limitations on their use by a shareholder.

When a shareholder opens an account, IRS regulations require that the shareholder provide a taxpayer identification number (TIN), certify that it is correct, and certify that he, she or it is not subject to backup withholding. If a shareholder fails to provide a TIN or the proper tax certifications, the Fund is required to withhold 28% of all distributions (including dividends and capital gain distributions) and redemption proceeds paid to the shareholder. A Fund is also required to begin backup withholding on an account if the IRS instructs it to do so. Amounts withheld may be applied to the shareholder’s federal income tax liability and the shareholder may obtain a refund from the IRS if withholding results in an overpayment of federal income tax for such year.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

Foreign Taxation

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. In addition, the Adviser and each Subadviser intend to manage the Funds with the intention of minimizing foreign taxation in cases where it is deemed prudent to do so. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to federal income tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income and to use such amount as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability or deduct such amount in lieu of claiming a credit, in each case subject to certain limitations. In particular, shareholders must hold their shares (without protection from risk of loss) for more than 15 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to such dividend. These same holding period rules also generally apply at the Fund level; thus if a Fund makes an election to pass through foreign taxes it must also hold the stock in such foreign corporations for such specified periods. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified after the close of a Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made by a Fund, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. Gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by a Fund.

If a Fund does not satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders their proportionate shares of any foreign taxes paid by the Fund, shareholders will not be required to include such taxes in their gross incomes and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own federal income tax returns.

Other Taxes

Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the application of federal, foreign, state and local taxes to their particular situation.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applied to U.S. investors. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of a Fund, including the possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty). However, effective for taxable years of the Funds beginning before January 1, 2014, a Fund will generally not be required to withhold tax on any amounts paid to a non-U.S. investor with respect to dividends attributable to “qualified short-term gain” (i.e., the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) designated as such by a Fund and dividends attributable to certain U.S. source interest income that would not be subject to federal withholding tax if earned directly by a non-U.S. person, provided such amounts are properly designated by such Fund. A Fund may choose not to designate such amounts.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally requires a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, a Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on Fund dividends and distributions and on the proceeds of the sale, redemption, or exchange of Fund shares. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from (or concerning) its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA, related intergovernmental agreements or other applicable law or regulation. Each investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

Special rules apply to foreign persons who receive distributions from a Fund that are attributable to gain from “United States real property interests” (“USRPIs”). The Code defines USRPIs to include direct holdings of U.S. real property and any interest (other than an interest solely as a creditor) in a “United States real property holding corporation” or former United States real property holding corporation. The Code defines a United States real property holding corporation as any corporation whose USRPIs make up 50% or more of the fair market value of its USRPIs, its interests in real property located outside the United States, plus any other assets it uses in a trade or business. In general, if a Fund is a United States real property holding company (determined without regard to certain exceptions), distributions by the Fund that are attributable to (a) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund and (b) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands will retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the foreign persons. (However, absent the enactment of legislation, on or after January 1, 2014, this “look-through” treatment for distributions by a Fund to foreign persons applies only to such distributions that are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT and are required to be treated as USRPI gain in the Fund’s hands.) If the foreign shareholder holds (or has held at any time during the prior year) more than a 5% interest in a class of stock of a Fund, such distributions received by the shareholder with respect to such class of stock will be treated as gains “effectively connected” with the conduct of a “U.S. trade or business,” and subject to tax at graduated rates. Moreover, such shareholders will be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year in which the gain was recognized and the Fund will be required to withhold 35% of the amount of such distribution. In the case of all other foreign persons (i.e., those whose interest in the Fund did not exceed 5% at any time during the prior year), the USRPI distribution will be treated as ordinary income (regardless of any designation by the Fund that such distribution is qualified short-term gain or net capital gain) and the Fund must withhold 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) of the amount of the distribution paid to such foreign persons. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extent the “look-through” provisions described above for distributions made on or after January 1, 2014, and what the terms of any such extension would be.

In addition, if a Fund is a United States real property holding corporation or former United States real property holding corporation, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. tax upon a redemption of shares by a greater-than-5% shareholder that is a foreign person, and that shareholder would be required to file a U.S. income tax return for the year of the disposition of the USRPI and pay any additional tax due on the gain. Prior to January 1, 2014, no withholding is generally required with respect to amounts paid in redemption of shares of a Fund if the Fund is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, or, in certain other limited cases, if a Fund (whether or not domestically controlled) holds substantial investments in RICs that are domestically controlled qualified investment entities. Unless legislation is enacted, beginning on January 1, 2014, such withholding will be required, without regard to whether a Fund or any RIC in which it invests is domestically controlled.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

From time to time, the Trust may include general comparative information, such as statistical data regarding inflation, securities indices or the features or performance of alternative investments, in advertisements, sales literature and reports to shareholders. The Trust may also include calculations in these communications, such as hypothetical compounding examples or tax-free compounding examples, which describe hypothetical investment results. Such performance examples will be based on an express set of assumptions and are not indicative of the performance of a Fund.

From time to time, the yield and total return of a Fund may be quoted in advertisements, shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Because the Funds have not yet commenced operations, no financial information is available. When available, the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports will be available upon request and without charge.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Trust’s Prospectus. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectus and this SAI pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete. In each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectus and this SAI forms a part. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.

APPENDIX A

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. Aston Funds

2. Pictet Asset Management Limited

3. Guardian Capital LP

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ASTON FUNDS
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. Definitions.

“Sub-Adviser” shall mean any investment adviser hired to implement and oversee the investment program of a respective Fund through a sub-investment advisory agreement with Aston. The term includes all sub-advisers to the Funds.

“Sub-Advisers’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures” shall mean the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of each Sub-Adviser, as amended from time to time.

“Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of Aston Funds.

“Fund” shall mean a series of Aston Funds.

“Fund Management” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Compliance Officer of Aston Funds.

“Trust” shall mean Aston Funds.

2. Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority. The Trust has delegated to the applicable Sub-Adviser responsibility for voting all proxies for which a Fund is entitled to vote in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of each Sub-Adviser, and each Sub-Adviser has accepted such delegation. Each Sub-Adviser shall provide the Board with a copy of its Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and such other information that the Board deems necessary.

3. Limitations on the Advisers’ Responsibilities.

(i) Limited Value. Each Sub-Adviser may abstain from voting a Fund proxy if it concludes that the Fund’s economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.

(ii) Unjustifiable Costs. Each Sub-Adviser may abstain from voting a Fund proxy for cost reasons (e.g., cost associated with voting proxies of non-U.S. securities). In accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s duties, it shall weigh the costs and benefits of voting proxy proposals relating to foreign securities and shall make an informed decision with respect to whether voting a given proxy proposal is prudent. The Sub-Adviser’s decision shall take into account the effect that the Fund’s vote, either by itself or together with other votes, is expected to have on the value of the Fund’s investment and whether this expected effect would outweigh the cost of voting.

(iii) Fund Restrictions. Each Sub-Adviser shall vote Fund proxies in accordance with any applicable investment restrictions of the affected Fund.

(iv) Board Direction. Notwithstanding the foregoing delegation to the Sub-Advisers, the Board may from time to time direct a Sub-Adviser to vote a Fund’s proxies in a manner that is different from the guidelines set forth in the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. After its receipt of any such direction, the Sub-Adviser shall follow any such direction for proxies received after its receipt of such direction.

4. Subdelegation. Each Sub-Adviser may delegate its responsibilities under these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures to a third party, provided that no such delegation shall relieve the Sub-Adviser of its responsibilities hereunder and the Sub-Adviser shall retain final authority and fiduciary responsibility for proxy voting. If a Sub-Adviser delegates such responsibilities, the Sub-Adviser shall monitor the delegate’s compliance with these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

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5. Proxy Voting Expense. Each Sub-Adviser shall bear all expenses associated with voting its proxies and complying with applicable laws related to voting proxies (including expenses associated with engaging third parties to vote a Fund’s proxies. Each Fund shall promptly reimburse the applicable Sub-Adviser for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Sub-Adviser in performing services related to Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. maintaining a Fund’s proxy voting records or filings on Form N-PX.

6. Conflicts of Interest. Each Sub-Adviser shall follow the Conflict of Interest provisions set forth in its Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. Until such time as each Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures address conflicts of interest, each Sub-Adviser shall comply with the following procedures: the Sub-Adviser shall review each Fund proxy to assess the extent, if any, to which there may be a material conflict between the interests of the applicable Fund on the one hand and the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees (and other similar persons) on the other hand (a “potential conflict”). The Sub-Adviser shall perform this assessment on a proposal-by-proposal basis and a potential conflict with respect to one proposal in a proxy shall not indicate that a potential conflict exists with respect to any other proposal in such proxy. If the Sub-Adviser determines that a potential conflict may exist, it shall promptly report the matter to Fund Management. Fund Management shall determine whether a potential conflict exists and is authorized to resolve any such conflict in a manner that is in the collective best interests of the applicable Fund and Sub-Adviser’s other clients (excluding any client that may have a potential conflict). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Fund Management may resolve a potential conflict in any of the following manners:

(i) If the proposal that gives rise to a potential conflict is specifically addressed in the applicable Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, Fund Management may direct the Sub-Adviser to vote the proxy in accordance with the pre-determined policies and guidelines set forth in the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; provided that such pre-determined policies and guidelines involve little discretion on the part of the Sub-Adviser;

(ii) Fund Management may disclose the potential conflict to the Board and obtain the Board’s consent before directing the Sub-Adviser to vote in the manner approved by the Board;

(iii) Fund Management may direct the Sub-Adviser to engage an independent third-party to determine how the proxy should be voted; or

(iv) Fund Management may direct the Sub-Adviser to establish an ethical wall or other informational barriers between the person(s) that are involved in the potential conflict and the person(s) making the voting decision in order to insulate the potential conflict from the decision maker.

Each Sub-Adviser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to determine whether a potential conflict may exist, and a potential conflict shall be deemed to exist if and only if one or more of the Sub-Adviser’s senior account representatives actually knew or reasonably should have known of the potential conflict.

7. Approval of Material Changes. Any material changes to the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures shall be promptly submitted to the Board for approval. Any material changes in the applicable Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures shall be reported to the Board at the next quarterly meeting following such changes.

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8. Reports to the Board. At each quarterly meeting of the Board, each Sub-Adviser shall submit a report to the Board (Exhibit A) describing:

(i) any issues arising under these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures since the last report to the Board and the resolution of such issues, including but not limited to, information about conflicts of interest not addressed in such Policies and Procedures; and

(ii) any proxy votes taken by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Funds since the last report to the Board which were exceptions from the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the reasons for any such exceptions.

In addition, no less frequently than annually, Fund Management shall furnish to the Board, and the Board shall consider, a written report identifying any recommended changes in existing policies based upon the Sub-Advisers’ experience under these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, evolving industry practices and developments in applicable laws or regulations.

9. Maintenance of Records. Each Sub-Adviser shall maintain at its principal place of business the records required to be maintained by the applicable Fund with respect to proxies by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, in accordance with the requirements and interpretations thereof. Each Sub-Adviser must maintain proxy statements that it receives regarding Fund securities, but need not to the extent that such proxy statements are available on the SEC’s EDGAR system. The Sub-Advisers may also rely upon a third party to maintain certain records required to be maintained by the Advisers Act and 1940 Act. Each Sub-Adviser shall maintain and provide such records to the Fund in a mutually agreeable format for filing by the Fund on Form N-PX. Each Adviser acknowledges that the records maintained under the 1940 Act are the property of the Fund and agrees to transfer such records to the Fund upon request.

Adopted: November 30, 2006

Amended: September 30, 2007

Amended: September 30, 2010

Amended: June 13, 2011

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PICTET ASSET MANAGEMENT

Proxy Voting Policy

Pictet Asset Management

March 2013

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1. Operational Items


ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Financial Results/ Director and Auditor Reports	Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:
Financial Results/ Director and Auditor Reports
	›	There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or

	›	The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.

Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees	Vote FOR the (re)election of auditors and/or proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:
	›	There are serious concerns about the procedures used by the auditor;

	›	There is reason to believe that the auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

	›	External auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company;

	›	Name of the proposed auditors has not been published;

	›	The auditors are being changed without explanation; or

	›	Fees for non-audit services exceed standard annual audit-related fees (only applies to companies on the MSCI EAFE index and/or listed on any country main index).

	In circumstances where fees for non-audit services include fees related to significant one‐time capital structure events (initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergencies, and spin-offs) and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees, which are an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit fees.

	For concerns related to the audit procedures, independence of auditors, and/or name of auditors, PAM may vote AGAINST the auditor (re)election. For concerns related to fees paid to the auditors, PAM may vote AGAINST remuneration of auditors if this is a separate voting item; otherwise PAM may vote AGAINST the auditor election.


	March 2013 \| PROXY VOTING POLICY \| PAGE 2

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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors	Vote FOR the appointment or re-election of statutory auditors, unless:
	›	There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;

	›	Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or

	›	The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.
Allocation of Income	Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:

	›	The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or

	›	The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative	Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals

	Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrate that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Amendments to Articles of Association	Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Change in Company Fiscal Term	Vote FOR resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.
Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership	Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.
Amend Quorum Requirements	Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Transact Other Business	Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item.


	March 2013 \| PROXY VOTING POLICY \| PAGE 3

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2. Board of Directors


ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Director Elections	Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless:

	›	Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;

	›	There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;

	›	There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;

	›	There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or

	›	The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards.

	Vote FOR individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities.

	Vote AGAINST individual directors if repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained (in countries where this information is disclosed).

	Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

	Vote FOR employee and/or labour representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee and are required by law to be on those committees.

	Vote AGAINST employee and/or labour representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee, if they are not required to be on those committees.

	Vote AGAINST the election of directors of all companies if the name of the nominee is not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

	Grace period: Vote FOR the election of directors at all Polish companies and non-index Turkish Companies in 2013 even if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting. Beginning in 2014, vote AGAINST the election of directors at all Polish companies and non-index Turkish companies if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

	Under extraordinary circumstances, vote AGAINST individual directors, members of a committee, or the entire board, due to:


	March 2013 \| PROXY VOTING POLICY \| PAGE 4

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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
	›	Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight or fiduciary responsibilities at the company; or

	›	Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

	›	Egregious actions related to the director(s)’ service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

	[Please see the classification of Directors in Appendix 1]

Contested Director Elections	For contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, PAM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

	The analysis will generally be based on, but not limited to, the following major decision factors:

	›	Company performance relative to its peers;

	›	Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

	›	Independence of directors/nominees;

	›	Experience and skills of board candidates;

	›	Governance profile of the company;

	›	Evidence of management entrenchment;

	›	Responsiveness to shareholders;

	›	Whether a takeover offer has been rebuffed;

	›	Whether minority or majority representation is being sought.

	When analyzing a contested election of directors, PAM will generally focus on two central questions: (1) Have the dissidents proved that board change is warranted? And (2) if so, are the dissident board nominees likely to effect positive change (i.e. maximize long-term shareholder value).


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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Discharge of Directors	Generally vote FOR the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling controversies as to whether the board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties as evidenced by:

	›	A lack of oversight or actions by board members which invoke shareholder distrust related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest rather than in shareholder interest; or

	›	Any legal proceedings, (either . civil or criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed (and not only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions; or

	›	Other egregious governance issues where shareholders will bring legal action against the company or its directors.

	For markets which do not routinely request discharge resolutions (e.g. common law countries or markets where discharge is not mandatory), we may voice concern in other appropriate agenda items, such as approval of the annual accounts or other relevant resolutions, to enable us to express discontent with the board.
Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions	Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

	Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify external auditors.
Board Structure	Vote FOR proposals to fix board size.

	Vote AGAINST the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors.

	Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.


	March 2013 \| PROXY VOTING POLICY \| PAGE 6

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3. Capital Structure


ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Share Issuance Requests	General Issuances:
	Vote FOR issuance requests with pre-emptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital.

	Vote FOR issuance requests without pre-emptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital.

	Specific Issuances:
	Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.
Increases in Authorized Capital	Vote FOR non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.

	Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:

	›	The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet the ISS guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or

	›	The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

	Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.
Reduction of Capital	Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.

	Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Capital Structures	Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.

	Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the creation of new or additional super-voting shares.


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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE		VOTING POLICY
Preferred Stock		Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

		Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

		Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.

		Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

		Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Debt Issuance Requests		Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive rights.

		Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets ISS guidelines on equity issuance requests.

		Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.
Pledging of Assets for Debt		Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Increase in Borrowing Powers		Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.


	March 2013 \| PROXY VOTING POLICY \| PAGE 8

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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Share Repurchase Plans	Generally vote FOR market repurchase authorities (share repurchase programs) if the terms comply with the following criteria:

	›	A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital (15 percent in UK/Ireland);

	›	A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

	›	A duration of no more than 5 years, or such lower threshold as may be set by applicable law, regulation or code of governance best practice.

	Authorities to repurchase shares in excess of the 10 percent repurchase limit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We may support such share repurchase authorities under special circumstances, which are required to be publicly disclosed by the company, provided that, on balance, the proposal is in shareholders’ interests. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

	›	A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

	›	A duration of no more than 18 months.

	In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, we will evaluate the proposal based on the company’s historical practice. However, we expect companies to disclose such limits and, in the future, may vote against companies that fail to do so. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

	›	A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a company’s issued share capital in treasury (“on the shelf”); and

	›	A duration of no more than 18 months.

	In addition, we will vote AGAINST any proposal where:

	›	The repurchase can be used for takeover defences;

	›	There is clear evidence of abuse;

	›	There is no safeguard against selective buybacks; and/or

	›	Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

Re-issuance of Repurchased Shares	Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.

Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value	Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for b onus issues of shares or to increase par value.


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4. Compensation

ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE		VOTING POLICY
Compensation Plans		Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY- CASE basis.
Director Compensation		Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

		Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

		Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

		Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 10

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5. Other Items

ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Reorganizations/ Restructurings	Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Mergers and Acquisitions	Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

	For every M&A analysis, we review publicly available information as of the date of the report and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

	›	Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, we place emphasis on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.

	›	Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction will cause us to scrutinize a deal more closely.

	›	Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

	›	Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? We will consider whether any special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger.

	›	Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

	Vote AGAINST if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision.
Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers	Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reincorporation Proposals	Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 11

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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
Expansion of Business Activities	Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas.
Related-Party Transactions	In evaluating resolutions that seek shareholder approval on related party transactions (RPTs), vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering factors including, but not limited to, the following:

	›	The parties on either side of the transaction;

	›	The nature of the asset to be transferred / service to be provided;

	›	The pricing of the transaction (and any associated professional valuation);

	›	The views of independent directors (where provided);

	›	The views of an independent financial adviser (where appointed);

	›	Whether any entities party to the transaction (including advisers) are conflicted; and

	›	The stated rationale for the transaction, including discussions of timing.

	If there is a transaction that is deemed to be problematic and that was not put to a shareholder vote, we may vote against the election of the director involved in the related-party transaction or the full board.
Anti-takeover Mechanisms	Generally vote AGAINST all anti-takeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.
Shareholder Proposals	Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

	Vote FOR proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.

	Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.
Social / Environmental Issues	Issues covered under the policy include a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environmental and energy, labour covered standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all votes focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short term or long term.

	Generally vote CASE-BY-CASE, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value, and in addition the following will be considered:

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 12

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ISSUE SUBJECT TO VOTE	VOTING POLICY
	›	If the issues presented in the proposal are more appropriately dealt with through legislation or government regulation.;

	›	If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

	›	Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope, timeframe, or cost) or overly prescriptive;

	›	The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

	›	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

	›	If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 13

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6. Foreign Private Issuers listed on US Exchanges

Foreign Private Issuers (“FPIs”) are defined as companies whose business is administered outside the US, with more than 50% of assets located outside the US; a majority of whose directors / officers are not US citizens or residents; and a majority of whose outstanding voting shares are held by non-residents of the US.

Companies that are incorporated outside of the US and listed solely on US exchanges, where they qualify as FPIs, will be subject to the following policy.

Vote AGAINST (or WITHHOLD from) non-independent director nominees at companies which fail to meet the following criteria, a majority-independent board, and the presence of an audit, a compensation and a nomination committee, each of which is entirely composed of independent directors.

Where the design and disclosure levels of equity compensation plans are comparable to those seen at US companies, US compensation will be used to evaluate the compensation plan proposals. In all other cases, equity compensation plans will be evaluated according to the PAM Proxy Voting Policy.

All other voting items will be evaluated according to the PAM Proxy Voting Policy.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 14

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Classification of Directors

Executive Director

›	Employee or executive of the company;

›	Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)

›	Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;

›	Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the company;

›	Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the company;

›	Any director who is nominated by a dissenting significant shareholder, unless there is a clear lack of material [5] connection with the dissident, either currently or historically;

›	Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10% of the company’s stock, either in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who beneficially own less than 10% individually, but collectively own more than 10%), unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific circumstances);

›	Government representative;

›	Currently provides (or a relative [1] provides) professional services [2] to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year;

›	Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which company maintains transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply a materiality test [3] );

›	Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive directors or the chairman of the company;

›	Relative [1] of a current employee of the company or its affiliates;

›	Relative [1] of a former executive of the company or its affiliates;

›	A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the General Meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);

›	Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;

›	Former executive (5 year cooling off period);

›	Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is recommended best practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be considered. [4]

›	Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under local corporate best practice guidance.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 15

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Independent NED

›	No material [5] connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company (other than a board seat) or the dissenting significant shareholder.

Employee Representative

›	Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as “employee representative” but considered a non-independent NED

Footnotes:

[1] “Relative” follows the definition of “immediate family members” which covers spouses, parents, children, stepparents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.

[2] Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature and generally include the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting services; marketing services; and legal services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transaction (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship.

[3] A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding transactions) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is equivalent to either 1 per cent of the company’s turnover or 1 per cent of the turnover of the company or organization with which the director is associated. OR, A business relationship may be material if the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) entered into between the company and the company or organization with which the director is associated is more than 10 per cent of the company’s shareholder equity or the transaction value (of all outstanding financing operations) compared to the company’s total assets is more than 5 per cent.

[4] For example, in continental Europe, directors with a tenure exceeding 12 years will be considered non-independent. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, directors with a tenure exceeding nine years will be considered non-independent, unless the company provides sufficient and clear justification that the director is independent despite his long tenure.

[5] For purposes of director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship financial, personal or otherwise that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

March 2013 | PROXY VOTING POLICY | PAGE 16

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Addendum to Pictet Asset Management Proxy Voting Policy – Conflicts of Interest

Pictet Asset Management (“Pictet AM”) recognises that there may be occasions where either it, or one of its officers or employees, may have a conflict of interest in connection with the proxy voting process. This may exist for example, if Pictet AM has, or is soliciting a business relationship with the company in which we are due to exercise the proxy, or a member of staff has a personal or business relationship with the company concerned. However, Pictet AM generally votes proxies in accordance with the predetermined guidelines as set out in the above proxy voting policy, and the recommendation provided by ISS. As a result any conflicts are adequately managed.

On the rare occasions where we do not follow the recommendations provided by ISS in accordance with our proxy voting policy, we require written rationales for such decisions. We are then able to review such decisions in light of the potential conflicts of interest that can arise.

Pictet AM has robust procedures in place to identify, manage and monitor conflicts of interests that occur at both a Pictet AM and individual employee level, including records of outside interests and directorships.

Where a potential conflict is recognised in relation to a voting decision that does not follow the recommendations provided by ISS, that decision will be subject to scrutiny by appropriate members of the Pictet AM Executive Board and the Head of Compliance.

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Guardian Capital

PROXY VOTING POLICY

DESCRIPTION	:	One of the most significant aspects of corporate governance comes in the exercise of voting rights. The proxy vote is an important asset of any portfolio. Guardian has established proxy voting guidelines to ensure that, when Guardian is delegated voting rights by our Clients, as fiduciaries, we exercise such ownership rights in order to optimize the long-term value of those investments.

PURPOSE	:	The primary focus of our management of proxy voting is to maximize shareholder value. One of the ways of ensuring that companies focus attention on maximizing value for shareholders is through corporate governance. Well- managed companies, with strong, focused governance processes, generally, produce better long-term investment returns for all investors.

PRINCIPLE	:	The four key proxy issues identified by Guardian are: Boards of Directors, Executive Compensation, Takeover Protection and Shareholder Rights. With regard to issues related to Social Responsibility, and other Stakeholder Proposals, Guardian will consider each proposal on its merits, based on both client direction and our aim of maximizing shareholder value. Fiduciary obligations do not require Guardian to become a shareholder activist. Finally, with regard to the appointment of auditors for a corporation, Guardian will generally vote for management’s recommendation, unless we believe that the firm to be appointed lacks, in our judgment, the necessary competence and independence to carry out their duties.

PRACTICE	:	Guardian must establish at account opening whether it has been delegated proxy voting authority.

		To assist with the proxy voting process, Guardian subscribes to a proxy consulting service and a proxy voting service. The consulting service provides a professional review of all proxies issued by the companies held within our equity portfolios. The voting service votes proxies as specifically directed by Guardian.

		Guardian will vote all available proxies for each Client. Depending upon the deemed importance of a particular vote, on a best efforts basis, Guardian will recall proxies for shares which are out on loan.

		There may be limited circumstances where Guardian does not vote on behalf of a Client. If Guardian determines that the costs in voting may exceed the expected benefit to a Client, Guardian may elect not to cast a vote (e.g. voting on a foreign security where translation, due diligence, or legal costs exist or where inadequate information and delays in receiving materials impact the ability to make an informed decision).

		Compliance and Operations staff will monitor proxy voting initiatives through the proxy consulting service. Portfolio Managers will be advised of the recommendations of the proxy consulting service and will direct Compliance staff to vote against the recommendation of the consulting service only where doing so is considered to be in the best interest of the Client.

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Guardian Capital

		Where a conflict, or potential conflict, of interest exists between the interest of a Client and Guardian or a Guardian affiliate or Associate, proxies are voted in accordance with investment considerations and investment merits, without regard to any other business relationship that may exist between Guardian and the portfolio company.

		Examples of possible conflicts include:

			●	voting proxies for all accounts in a certain way to retain or obtain business

			●	situations where Guardian manages money for a portfolio company

			●	situations where a significant personal relationship exists between a Guardian Associate and a proponent or beneficiary of a proxy proposal

		There will be occasions where the applicable portfolio manager determines that the best interest of the Client may require a vote different than the recommendation of the proxy consulting service. On such occasions, the applicable portfolio manager shall document the reason for the voting decision when instructing the Compliance staff on how to vote the proxy.

		Clients may direct Guardian on how to vote on a particular matter.

		Guardian will maintain the following records relating to proxy voting analysis and decisions:

			●	proxy statements received for Client securities

			●	records of votes cast on behalf of Clients

			●	records of Client requests for proxy voting information and the response provided by Guardian

			●	documents that record the basis for decision on a voting matter and any supporting materials

		Proxy voting summaries are available to each client upon request. Clients may also obtain a copy of Guardian’s proxy voting policies and procedures upon request.

MONITORING	:	Guardian’s Governance Committee monitors and reviews the results of proxy voting quarterly.

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PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. EXHIBITS

(a)

(1)

Trust Instrument dated September 10, 1993 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 16, 1996.

(2)

State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated February 25, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.

(3)

State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 10, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.

(4)

State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated November 29, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registration Statement as filed on November 30, 2006.

(b)

(1)

Amended and Restated By-Laws dated July 8, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 20, 2010.

(c)

Not applicable.

(d)

(1)

Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between the Trust and Aston Asset Management, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 30, 2010.

(2)

Revised Schedules A and B to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Aston Asset Management, LP are filed herewith as Exhibit (d)(2).

(3)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Montag & Caldwell, Inc. (currently known as Montag & Caldwell LLC) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(4)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and TAMRO Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(5)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2010.

(6)

Revised Schedule A to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 29, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2010.

(7)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Taplin, Canida, and Habacht, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(8)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Baring International Investment Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(9)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Lake Partners, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(10)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Herndon Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(26) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 27, 2010.

(11)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 28, 2010 between Aston Asset Management, LP and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(29) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2010.

(12)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 13, 2011 between Aston Asset Management, LP and DoubleLine Capital LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(13)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 21, 2011 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 21, 2011.

(14)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 29, 2011 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Fairpointe Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(15)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 15, 2011 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(16)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 30, 2011 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Harrison Street Securities, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(17)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 17, 2012 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 29, 2012.

(18)

Revised Schedule A to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between Aston Asset Management, LP and Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registration Statement as filed on March 26, 2013.

(19)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 22, 2012 between Aston Asset Management, LP and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(23) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 22, 2012.

(20)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 29, 2012 between Aston Asset Management, LP and Anchor Capital Advisors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(21)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between Aston Asset Management, LP and Pictet Asset Management Limited is filed herewith as Exhibit (d)(21).

(22)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between Aston Asset Management, LP and Guardian Capital LP is filed herewith as Exhibit (d)(22).

(e)

(1)

Distribution Agreement between ABN AMRO Funds (currently known as Aston Funds) and ABN AMRO Distribution Services (USA), Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2001.

(2)

Amended Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement between ABN AMRO Funds (currently known as Aston Funds) and ABN AMRO Distribution Services (USA), Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement filed on December 28, 2001.

(3)

Amendment No. 1 to Distribution Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2003.

(4)

Amendment No. 2 to Distribution Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2003.

(5)

Amendment No. 3 to Distribution Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2003.

(6)

Distribution Agreement between Aston Funds and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (currently known as Foreside Funds Distributors, LLC) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 6, 2010.

(7)

Distribution Agreement between Aston Funds and Foreside Funds Distributors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(8)

Revised Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit (e)(8).

(9)

Form of Selling/Services Agreement for Aston Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 26, 2010.

(10)

ABN AMRO Assignment Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registration Statement as filed on November 30, 2006.

(11)

Mutual Fund Service Agent Agreement for Wrap Processing is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(13) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 31, 2007.

(f)

Not applicable.

(g)

(1)

Custodian Services Agreement dated May 5, 2003 by and between PFPC Trust Company and ABN AMRO Funds (currently known as Aston Funds) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 as filed on June 30, 2003.

(2)

Amendment to the Custodian Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 23, 2005.

(3)

Russian Addendum to the Custodian Services Agreement for Aston/Barings International Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2009.

(4)

Amendment to the Custodian Services Agreement dated December 18, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 26, 2010.

(5)

Letter Agreement between Aston Funds and The Bank of New York Mellon appointing The Bank of New York Mellon as Foreign Custody Manager is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 29, 2012.

(6)

Amendment to Custodian Services Agreement dated July 1, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(7)

Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Custodian Services Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit (g)(7).

(h)

(1)

Transfer Agency Services Agreement between Alleghany Funds (currently known as Aston Funds) and PFPC Inc. (currently known as BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.), dated April 1, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 30, 2000.

(2)

Amendment No. 1 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 30, 2000.

(3)

Amendment No. 2 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement as filed on March 1, 2001.

(4)

Amendment No. 3 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2004.

(5)

Amendment No. 4 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2004.

(6)

Amendment No. 5 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2004.

(7)

Amendment No. 6 to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2004.

(8)

Compliance Support Services Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (h)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2004.

(9)

Anti-Money Laundering and Privacy Amendment to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(10)

Customer Identification Services Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(11)

Amendment to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 23, 2005.

(12)

Section 312 Foreign Financial Institution Amendment to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 22, 2006.

(13)

Amendment to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated December 18, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 26, 2010.

(14)

Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement Regarding Red Flag Services is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2009.

(15)

Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated July 1, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(16) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(16)

Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(16).

(17)

Administration Agreement between Alleghany Funds (currently known as Aston Funds) and Alleghany Investment Services, Inc. dated June 17, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 28, 1999.

(18)

Amendment No. 1 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 30, 2000.

(19)

Amendment No. 2 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2000.

(20)

Amendment No. 3 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2001.

(21)

Amendment No. 4 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2001.

(22)

Amendment No. 5 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(13) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2003.

(23)

Amendment No. 6 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2003.

(24)

Amendment No. 7 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2003.

(25)

Amendment No. 8 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2003.

(26)

Amendment No. 9 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(20) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2004.

(27)

Amendment No. 10 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(24) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 23, 2005.

(28)

Amendment No. 11 to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(28) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(29)

Revised Schedule C to the Administration Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(29).

(30)

Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between Alleghany Investment Services Inc. and PFPC Inc. (currently known as BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.), dated April 1, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 30, 2000.

(31)

Amendment No. 1 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 30, 2000.

(32)

Amendment No. 2 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement as filed on March 1, 2001.

(33)

Amendment No. 3 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(24) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(34)

Amendment No. 4 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(25) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(35)

Amendment No. 5 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(26) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(36)

Amendment No. 6 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(27) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(37)

Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(29) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 25, 2005.

(38)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(35) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 23, 2005.

(39)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(35) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2009.

(40)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(36) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 5, 2009.

(41)

Revised Schedule B to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(36) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2008.

(42)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(41) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 26, 2010.

(43)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated July 1, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(44) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(44)

Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(44).

(45)

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated June 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(45) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(i)

Opinion of Vedder Price P.C. is filed herewith as Exhibit (i).

(j)

Not applicable.

(k)

Not applicable.

(l)

Not applicable.

(m)

(1)

Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.

(2)

Amended Schedule A to Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2001.

(3)

Distribution and Services Plan dated June 21, 2001, and amended December 20, 2001 and March 21, 2002, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 3, 2002.

(4)

Distribution and Services Plan dated June 20, 2002, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 3, 2002.

(5)

Schedule A to Distribution and Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is filed herewith as Exhibit (m)(5).

(6)

Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.

(7)

Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 28, 2002.

(8)

Revised Schedule A to Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(9)

Revised Schedule A to Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(n)

(1)

Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.

(2)

Amended Schedule A to Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2001.

(3)

Amended Schedule A to Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 3, 2002.

(4)

Amended Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 3, 2002.

(5)

Amended Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 28, 2002.

(6)

Amended Schedule A to Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 27, 2011.

(7)

Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 13, 2011.

(o)

(1)

Power of Attorney dated June 24, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (o)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 6, 2010.

(p)

(1)

Amended Code of Ethics of Aston Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 20, 2010.

(2)

Amended Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(3)

Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of Aston Asset Management, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 13, 2011.

(4)

Amended Code of Ethics of Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2011.

(5)

Amended Code of Ethics of Baring International Investment Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(6)

Amended Code of Ethics of TAMRO Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(7)

Amended Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of Montag & Caldwell LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(8)

Code of Ethics of Lake Partners, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registration Statement as filed on March 30, 2009.

(9)

Amended Code of Ethics of Herndon Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(10)

Amended Code of Ethics of DoubleLine Capital LP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(11)

Code of Ethics of Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 21, 2011.

(12)

Code of Ethics of Fairpointe Capital LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(13)

Code of Ethics of Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2011.

(14)

Code of Ethics of Harrison Street Securities, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(15)

Code of Ethics of Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2014.

(16)

Amended Code of Ethics of Anchor Capital Advisors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 28, 2012.

(17)

Code of Ethics of Pictet Asset Management Limited is filed herewith as Exhibit (p)(17).

(18)

Code of Ethics of Guardian Capital LP is filed herewith as Exhibit (p)(18).

ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

None.

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION.

Section 10.2 of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument provides as follows:

10.2 Indemnification . The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Trustee or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a Trustee except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties, provided that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of bad faith had been adjudicated, it would in the opinion of such counsel have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled, provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement hereunder except out of the property of the Trust. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with the indemnification under this Section 10.2, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such indemnification.

The Trust shall indemnify officers, and shall have the power to indemnify representatives and employees of the Trust, to the same extent that Trustees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 10.2.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in that Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Section 10.3 of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument, also provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant. Section 10.3 states as follows:

10.3 Shareholders . In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder of such Series and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.

In addition, the Registrant currently has a trustees’ and officers’ liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions.

ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF ADVISERS.

A. ASTON ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP

Aston Asset Management, LP (“Aston”) is a registered investment adviser providing investment management services to the Registrant.

The directors and officers of Aston are set forth below. To the knowledge of the Registrant, unless so noted, none of these individuals is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

The information required by this Item 31 with respect to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by directors and officers of Aston during the past two years is incorporated by reference to Form ADV filed by Aston pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File Nos. 801-71598 and 801-66837).

ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER.

Item 32(a)		Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

Aston Funds

E.I.I. Realty Securities Trust

FundVantage Trust

GuideStone Funds

Highland Funds I (f/k/a Pyxis Funds I)

Highland Funds II (f/k/a Pyxis Funds II)

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust

Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds)

Metropolitan West Funds

10.

The Motley Fool Funds Trust

11.

New Alternatives Fund, Inc.

12.

Old Westbury Funds, Inc.

13.

The RBB Fund, Inc.

14.

Stratton Mid Cap Value Fund, Inc. (f/k/a Stratton Multi-Cap Fund, Inc.)

15.

Stratton Real Estate Fund, Inc.

16.

The Stratton Funds, Inc.

17.

The Torray Fund

18.

Versus Capital Multi-Manager Real Estate Income Fund LLC (f/k/a Versus Global Multi-Manager Real Estate Income Fund LLC)

Item 32(b)		The following are the Officers and Managers of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312.

Name	Address	Position with Underwriter	Position with Registrant
Mark A. Fairbanks	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101	President and Manager	None
Richard J. Berthy	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101	Vice President, Treasurer and Manager	None
Bruno S. DiStefano	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312	Vice President	None
Ronald C. Berge	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312	Vice President	None
Susan K. Moscaritolo	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312	Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer	None
Lisa S. Clifford	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101	Vice President and Managing Director of Compliance	None
Jennifer E. Hoopes	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101	Secretary	None
Nishant Bhatnagar	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101	Assistant Secretary	None

Item 32(c)		Not applicable.

ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

All records described in Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, are maintained at the following locations:

Adviser

Aston Asset Management, LP, 120 North LaSalle Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60602

Subadvisers

Anchor Capital Advisors LLC, One Post Office Square, Suite 3850, Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Baring International Investment Limited, 155 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3XY, United Kingdom

Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC, Phipps Tower, 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 900, Atlanta, Georgia 30326

DoubleLine Capital LP, 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90071

Fairpointe Capital LLC, One North Franklin Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60606

Guardian Capital LP, Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Suite 3100, Toronto, Ontario, M5L 1E8, Canada

Harrison Street Securities LLC, 71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3575, Chicago, Illinois 60606

Herndon Capital Management, LLC, 191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2500, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Lake Partners, Inc., 4 High Ridge Park, Suite 300, Stamford, Connecticut 06905

Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC, 200 Clarendon Street, 28th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Montag & Caldwell, LLC, 3455 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Pictet Asset Management Limited, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET, United Kingdom

River Road Asset Management, LLC, Meidinger Tower, Suite 1600, 462 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10019

TAMRO Capital Partners, LLC, 1701 Duke Street, Suite 250, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC, 1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 2100, Miami, Florida 33131

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286

Sub-Administrator and Transfer, Redemption, Dividend Disbursing and Accounting Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US), Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 and 201 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Distributor

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, 400 Berwyn, 899 Cassatt Road, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 and Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101

ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS.

Not Applicable.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, Aston Funds, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this post-effective amendment to its Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this post-effective amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois on the 9th day of April, 2014.

	ASTON FUNDS
	By:	/s/ Stuart D. Bilton
		Stuart D. Bilton, Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement of Aston Funds has been signed below by the following persons in the following capacity and on the 9th day of April, 2014.

Signature	Capacity	Date

Stuart D. Bilton*	Trustee
Stuart D. Bilton

William E. Chapman, II*	Independent Chairman, Trustee
William E. Chapman, II

Edward J. Kaier*	Trustee
Edward J. Kaier

Jeffrey S. Murphy*	Trustee
Jeffrey S. Murphy

Gregory T. Mutz*	Trustee
Gregory T. Mutz

Steven J. Paggioli*	Trustee
Steven J. Paggioli

Eric P. Rakowski*	Trustee
Eric P. Rakowski

Robert B. Scherer*	Trustee
Robert B. Scherer

Thomas R. Schneeweis*	Trustee
Thomas R. Schneeweis

Signature	Capacity	Date

/s/ Stuart D. Bilton	Chief Executive Officer	April 9, 2014
Stuart D. Bilton

/s/ Laura M. Curylo	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	April 9, 2014
Laura M. Curylo


/s/ Laura M. Curylo	Attorney-in-Fact	April 9, 2014
Laura M. Curylo

________________

Signed by Laura M. Curylo pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed previously filed as Exhibit (o)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registration Statement filed on August 6, 2010.

EXHIBIT INDEX

(d)(2)	Revised Schedules A and B to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Aston Asset Management, LP.
(d)(21)	Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between Aston Asset Management, LP and Pictet Asset Management Limited.
(d)(22)	Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between Aston Asset Management, LP and Guardian Capital LP.
(e)(8)	Revised Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement.
(g)(7)	Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Custodian Services Agreement.
(h)(16)	Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement.
(h)(29)	Revised Schedule C to the Administration Agreement.
(h)(44)	Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement.
(i)	Opinion of Vedder Price P.C.
(m)(5)	Schedule A to Distribution and Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
(p)(17)	Code of Ethics of Pictet Asset Management Limited.
(p)(18)	Code of Ethics of Guardian Capital LP.