INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The Prospectus describes the principal and material non-principal strategies and risks of investing in each Fund. This SAI provides additional information about the Funds’ principal strategies and risks and further describes non-principal strategies and risks of the Funds that an investor should also consider.
In recent years, the equity and debt capital markets in the United States and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility. This caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or get worse. Because the situation is unprecedented and widespread, it may be unusually difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of these events.
PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
Investments by the Funds may include the following types of securities. With respect to the Emerging Markets Fund, references in this section to investments by a Fund include the Emerging Markets Fund’s direct investments as well as investments by its wholly-owned subsidiary).
Equity Securities.
The Dividend & Income Fund and Emerging Markets Fund will (as a principal investment strategy), and the Intermediate Fixed Income Fund and Fixed Income Opportunities Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy), invest in equity securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company or corporation, and include common stock, preferred stock, warrants and other rights to acquire such instruments. Holders of equity securities are not creditors of the issuer and, in the event the issuer is liquidated, would be entitled to their pro rata share of the issuer’s asset, if any, after creditors (including the holders of fixed income securities and senior equity securities) are paid. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks and fluctuation in value due to earnings, economic conditions and other factors that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of convertible equity securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. Fluctuations in the values of equity securities in which a Fund invests will cause the net asset value of the Fund to fluctuate.
Investments in small or middle capitalization companies involve greater risk than is customarily associated with larger, more established companies due to the greater business risks of small size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and the frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of small- or medium-sized companies are often traded over-the-counter, and may not be traded in volumes typical of securities traded on a national securities exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies may have limited market stability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
Preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, it ordinarily does not have voting rights and its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities.
Warrants and rights permit, but do not obligate, their holder to subscribe for other securities. Warrants and rights are subject to the same market risk as stocks, but may be more volatile in price. In addition, the value of a warrant or right does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and will cease to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
Fixed Income Securities.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund and Fixed Income Opportunities Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the Dividend & Income Fund and Emerging Markets Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities are debt obligations issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, corporations, municipalities and other borrowers. The market values of the Funds’ fixed income investments will change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally decline. These fluctuations will generally be greater for longer-term securities than for shorter-term securities. Investors should recognize that, in periods of declining interest rates, the returns of the Funds which invest in debt securities will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing market rates, and in periods of rising interest rates, the returns of the Funds which invest in debt securities will tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling, the inflow of net new money to the Funds from the continuous sale of their shares will likely be invested in portfolio instruments producing lower yields than the balance of the portfolios, thereby reducing these Funds’ current returns. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite can be expected to occur. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal when due, in the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness, and in the rating of any fixed income security by NRSROs also affect the market value of that issuer’s debt securities. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities, but will affect the Funds’ net asset values. See attached Appendix A for a discussion of fixed income ratings.
The Funds’ performance also may be affected by changes in market or economic conditions and other circumstances affecting the financial services industry. Government regulation of banks, savings and loan associations, and finance companies may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments these entities can make and the interest rates and fees they can charge. The profitability of the financial services industry, which is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, has fluctuated in response to volatility in interest rate levels. In addition, the financial services industry is subject to risks resulting from general economic conditions and the potential exposure to credit losses.
ETFs.
Each Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy), invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), which are registered investment companies that generally seek to track the performance of specific indices. ETFs, such as Barclays Global Investors’ iShares funds, Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts (“SPDRs”), NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock (“NASDAQ 100s”) and Dow Jones DIAMONDS (“Diamonds”), may be organized as open-end funds or as unit investment trusts (“UITs”). Their shares are listed on stock exchanges and can be traded throughout the day at market-determined prices. iShares, SPDRs, NASDAQ 100s and DIAMONDS are listed on the American Stock Exchange.
An ETF generally issues index-based investments in aggregations of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (a) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the applicable index (the “Index”), (b) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the ETF’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the ETF, net of expenses and liabilities, and (c) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the Index and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.
Shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the ETF. To redeem shares of an ETF, an investor must accumulate enough shares of the ETF to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of ETF shares, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market for such shares. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, the portfolio will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.
The price of ETF shares is based upon (but not necessarily identical to) the value of the securities held by the ETF. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of ETF shares is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for ETF shares is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETF shares purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on such shares. There is no assurance that the requirements of the national securities exchanges necessary to maintain the listing of shares of any ETF will continue to be met.
A Fund’s investments in any ETF may be limited by the 1940 Act and SEC rules. See “Investment Company Shares” below.
Corporate Bonds.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund and Fixed Income Opportunities Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the Dividend & Income Fund and Emerging Markets Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in corporate bonds. Corporations issue bonds and notes to raise money for working capital or for capital expenditures such as plant construction, equipment purchases and expansion. In return for the money loaned to the corporation by shareholders, the corporation promises to pay bondholders interest and to repay the principal amount of the bond or note.
Low Grade, High Yield Debt.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and Intermediate Fixed Income Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in low grade, high yield debt. There is no bottom limit on the ratings of high yield securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. In addition, those Funds may invest in unrated securities. Lower rated securities are defined as securities below the fourth highest rating category by an NRSRO, as discussed in Appendix A. Such obligations are speculative and may be in default.
Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of an issuer’s ability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation (credit risk), and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market risk). Lower rated or unrated (
i.e.
, high yield) securities are more likely to react to developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated securities, which primarily react to movements in the general level of interest rates. Like all fixed income securities, the market values of high yield securities tend to vary inversely with the level of interest rates. Yields and market values of high yield securities will fluctuate over time, reflecting not only changing interest rates but the market’s perception of credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. When economic conditions appear to be deteriorating, medium to lower rated securities may decline in value due to heightened concern over credit quality, regardless of prevailing interest rates. The risk of loss because of default by issuers of high yield securities is generally greater because medium and lower rated securities generally are unsecured and frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. Investors should carefully consider the relative risks of investing in high yield securities and understand that such securities are not generally meant for short-term investing.
Adverse economic developments can disrupt the market for high yield securities and severely affect the ability of issuers, especially highly leveraged issuers, to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity, which may lead to a higher incidence of default on such securities. In addition, the secondary market for high yield securities, which is concentrated in relatively few market makers, may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. As a result, a Fund’s adviser could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Furthermore, the Trust may experience difficulty in valuing certain securities at certain times. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund’s net asset value.
Prices for high yield securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These laws could adversely affect a Fund’s net asset value and investment practices, the secondary market value for high yield securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value of outstanding high yield securities.
Lower rated or unrated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligations for redemption, a Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. If the Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the Fund’s investment portfolio and increasing the exposure of the Fund to the risks of high yield securities.
Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither such event will require sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Manager (or the relevant Sub-adviser) will consider the event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the security.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund and Fixed Income Opportunities Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in variable and floating rate instruments. Certain of the obligations purchased by the Funds may carry variable or floating rates of interest and may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature. Such obligations may include variable amount master demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary in addition to providing for periodic adjustments in the interest rate.
Such instruments bear interest at rates which are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly or at some other interval, and may have a floor or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. While such instruments may provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against rising interest rates, the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A demand instrument with a demand notice period exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security. The absence of an active secondary market with respect to particular variable and floating rate instruments could make it difficult for a Fund to dispose of a variable or floating rate note if the issuer defaults on its payment obligation or during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise its demand rights.
Convertible Securities and Warrants.
Each Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in convertible securities. The Emerging Markets Fund will (as a principal investment strategy), and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in warrants. A convertible security is a fixed income security (a debt instrument or a preferred stock) which may be converted at a stated price or stated rate within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are senior to common stock in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation attendant upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.
Although to a lesser extent than with fixed income securities generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stocks and, therefore, also will react to variations in the general market for equity securities. A significant feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so they may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock.
A warrant gives the holder a right to purchase at any time during a specified period a predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed price. Unlike convertible debt securities or preferred stock, warrants do not pay fixed dividends. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).
Trust Preferred Securities.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund will (as a principal investment strategy), and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in trust preferred securities, which are convertible preferred shares issued by a trust where proceeds from the sale are used to purchase convertible subordinated debt from the issuer. The convertible subordinated debt is the sole asset of the trust. The coupon from the issuer to the trust exactly mirrors the preferred dividend paid by the trust. Upon conversion by the investors, the trust in turn converts the convertible debentures and passes through the shares to the investors.
Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper is a short-term, unsecured promissory note issued to finance short-term credit needs. Other short-term corporate obligations include variable amount master demand notes, which are obligations that permit a Fund to invest at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower. These notes permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed. Because they are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower, such instruments generally will not be traded, and there generally is no established secondary market for these obligations, although they are redeemable at face value, plus accrued interest, at any time. If these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, a Fund’s right to redeem its investment depends on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. The value of commercial paper and other securities in the Funds’ portfolios may be adversely affected by the inability of the issuers (or related supporting institutions) to make principal or interest payments on the obligations in a timely manner. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies.
Section 4(2) Commercial Paper.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in Section 4(2) commercial paper. Section 4(2) commercial paper is issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Any resale of such commercial paper must be in an exempt transaction, usually to an institutional investor through the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in such commercial paper.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or similarly rated by another NRSRO or if unrated, will be determined by the Investment Manager (or the relevant Sub-Adviser) to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are described in Appendix A.
Illiquid Securities.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in illiquid securities. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the 1933 Act, securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public absent registration under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from registration.
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act establishes a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Institutional markets for restricted securities sold pursuant to Rule 144A in many cases provide both readily ascertainable values for restricted securities and the ability to liquidate an investment to satisfy share redemption orders. Such markets might include automated systems for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL System sponsored by NASDAQ. An insufficient number of qualified buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A eligible restricted securities, however, could adversely affect the marketability of such portfolio securities and result in a Fund’s inability to dispose of such securities promptly or at favorable prices.
The Board has delegated the function of making day-to-day determinations of liquidity to the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board. The Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) will take into account a number of factors in reaching liquidity decisions, including, but not limited to: (1) the frequency of trades for the security, (2) the number of dealers willing and ready to purchase and sell the security, (3) whether any dealers have agreed to make a market in the security, (4) the number of other potential purchasers for the security, and (5) the nature of the securities and the nature of the marketplace trades. To the extent that the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any), pursuant to the guidelines approved by the Board, determines a Rule 144A eligible security to be liquid, such a security would not be subject to a Fund’s percentage limit on illiquid securities investment.
No Fund will purchase illiquid securities, including time deposits and repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, as a result of the purchase, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets valued at the time of the transaction are invested in such securities. Each Fund will monitor the level of liquidity and take appropriate action, if necessary, to attempt to maintain adequate liquidity. The investment policy on the purchase of illiquid securities is non-fundamental.
Mortgage-Related Securities and Derivative Securities.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund will (as a principal investment strategy), and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in mortgage-related securities. A mortgage-related security is an interest in a pool of mortgage loans and can be considered a derivative security. Most mortgage-related securities are pass-through securities, which means that investors receive payments consisting of a pro rata share of both principal and interest (less servicing and other fees), as well as unscheduled prepayments, as mortgages in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Different types of these mortgage-related securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest rate and other market risks. Certain mortgage-related securities are subject to high volatility. The Funds use these securities in an effort to enhance return and as a means to make certain investments not otherwise available to the Funds.
If a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund as a holder of those securities may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such subordinated securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless; the risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include so-called “subprime” mortgages. An unexpectedly high or low rate of prepayments on a pool’s underlying mortgages may have similar effects on subordinated securities. A mortgage pool may issue securities subject to various levels of subordination; the risk of non-payment affects securities at each level, although the risk is greater in the case of more highly subordinated securities.
In general, mortgage loan repayments may be adversely affected by matters such as a general economic turndown, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in high mortgage payments by holders of adjustable rate mortgages. For example, the value of mortgage-related securities has been adversely affected by the recent disruptions in the credit markets, the increase in the default rate on prime and subprime residential mortgages, and the overall decrease in residential home prices from the price levels reached during the 2003-2007 time period. It is possible that, as a result of these and other circumstances, the value of mortgage-related securities will continue to be adversely affected for some time. Because prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a particular pool. Common practice is to assume that prepayments will result in an average life ranging from two to ten years for pools of fixed-rate 30-year mortgages. Pools of mortgages with other maturities or different characteristics will have varying average life assumptions.
Agency Mortgage-Related Securities
.
The dominant issuers or guarantors of mortgage-related securities today are the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), Fannie Mae (formerly known as the Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (formerly known as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation). Ginnie Mae creates pass-through securities from pools of government-guaranteed or -insured (Federal Housing Administration or Veterans Administration) mortgages. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issue pass-through securities from pools of conventional and federally insured and/or guaranteed residential mortgages. The principal and interest on Ginnie Mae pass-through securities are guaranteed by Ginnie Mae and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae guarantees full and timely payment of all interest and principal, and Freddie Mac guarantees timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal of its pass-through securities. Securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but are generally considered to offer minimal credit risks. The yields provided by these mortgage-related securities have historically exceeded the yields on other types of U.S. Government securities with comparable “lives” largely due to the risks associated with prepayment on the underlying mortgages.
Adjustable rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”) are pass-through securities representing interests in pools of mortgage loans with adjustable interest rates determined in accordance with a predetermined interest rate index and which may be subject to certain limits. The adjustment feature of ARMs tends to lessen their interest rate sensitivity.
Mortgage-Related Securities – Ginnie Mae
.
Ginnie Mae is a wholly owned corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (the “Housing Act”), authorizes Ginnie Mae to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of, and interest on, securities that are based on and backed by a pool of specified mortgage loans. For these types of securities to qualify for a Ginnie Mae guarantee, the underlying collateral must be mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the “FHA”) under the Housing Act (“FHA Loans”), or Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (“VA Loans”), or be pools of other eligible mortgage loans. The Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government is pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be required to be paid under any guarantee. In order to meet its obligations under a guarantee, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury with no limitations as to amount.
Ginnie Mae pass-through securities may represent a proportionate interest in one or more pools of the following types of mortgage loans: (1) fixed-rate level payment mortgage loans; (2) fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (3) fixed-rate growing equity mortgage loans; (4) fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by manufactured (mobile) homes; (5) mortgage loans on multifamily residential properties under construction; (6) mortgage loans on completed multifamily projects; (7) fixed-rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to reduce the borrower’s monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage loans (“buydown” mortgage loans); (8) mortgage loans that provide for adjustments on payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (9) mortgage-backed serial notes.
Mortgage-Related Securities – Fannie Mae
.
Fannie Mae is a federally chartered and privately owned corporation established under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act. Fannie Mae was originally organized in 1938 as a U.S. Government agency to add greater liquidity to the mortgage market. Fannie Mae was transformed into a private sector corporation by legislation enacted in 1968. Fannie Mae provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing home mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby providing them with funds for additional lending. Fannie Mae acquires funds to purchase loans from investors that may not ordinarily invest in mortgage loans directly, thereby expanding the total amount of funds available for housing.
Each Fannie Mae pass-through security represents a proportionate interest in one or more pools of FHA Loans, VA Loans or conventional mortgage loans (that is, mortgage loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency). The loans contained in those pools consist of one or more of the following: (1) fixed-rate level payment mortgage loans; (2) fixed-rate growing equity mortgage loans; (3) fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (4) variable-rate mortgage loans; (5) other adjustable-rate mortgage loans; and (6) fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by multifamily projects.
On September 7, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) was appointed as the conservator of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae for an indefinite period. In accordance with the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 and the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as conservator, the FHFA will control and oversee these entities until the FHFA deems them financially sound and solvent. During the conservatorship, each entity’s obligations are expected to be paid in the normal course of business. Although no express guarantee exists for the debt or mortgage-backed securities issued by these entities, the U.S. Department of Treasury, through a secured lending credit facility and a senior preferred stock purchase agreement, has attempted to enhance the ability of the entities to meet their obligations.
Mortgage-Related Securities – Freddie Mac
.
Freddie Mac is a corporate instrumentality of the United States established by the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended. Freddie Mac was organized primarily for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit to finance needed housing. The operations of Freddie Mac currently consist primarily of the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in mortgage loans and the resale of the mortgage loans in the form of mortgage-backed securities.
The mortgage loans underlying Freddie Mac securities typically consist of fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between 10 and 30 years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage loan must include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided interests in whole loans and participation in another Freddie Mac security.
See the discussion of Fannie Mae in the previous section for information about the 2008 appointment of FHFA as the conservator of Freddie Mac.
Privately Issued Mortgage-Related Securities
.
Mortgage-related securities offered by private issuers include pass-through securities comprised of pools of conventional residential mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds which are considered to be obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and are collateralized by mortgage loans; and bonds and “CMOs” collateralized by mortgage-related securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or by pools of conventional mortgages, multifamily or commercial mortgage loans.
Each class of a CMO is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the collateral pool may cause the various classes of a CMO to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. The principal of and interest on the collateral pool may be allocated among the several classes of a CMO in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to some of the individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on mortgage-related securities. Certain classes of CMOs may have priority over others with respect to the receipt of prepayments on the mortgages.
Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class which, like the other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date, but may be retired earlier. Planned amortization class CMOs (“PAC Bonds”) are parallel pay CMOs that generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date; the required principal payment on PAC Bonds have the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.
Privately issued mortgage-related securities generally offer a higher rate of interest (but greater credit and interest rate risk) than U.S. Government and agency mortgage-related securities because they offer no direct or indirect governmental guarantees. Many issuers or servicers of mortgage-related securities guarantee or provide insurance for timely payment of interest and principal, however. Some mortgage-related securities are offered through private placements that are restricted as to further sale and there may be a limited market for such securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.
In addition, privately issued mortgage-related securities are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to mortgage-backed securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying private mortgage-backed securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Privately issued pools more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private-label mortgage-backed securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans (loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans). For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage-Related Securities
.
Because the interest rates on the mortgages underlying ARMs reset periodically, yields of such portfolio securities will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market rates. Unlike fixed-rate mortgages, which generally decline in value during periods of rising interest rates, ARMs allow a Fund to participate in increases in interest rates through periodic adjustments in the coupons of the underlying mortgages, resulting in both higher current yields and low price fluctuations. Furthermore, if prepayments of principal are made on the underlying mortgages during periods of rising interest rates, a Fund may be able to reinvest such amounts in securities with a higher current rate of return. During periods of declining interest rates, of course, the coupon rates may readjust downward, resulting in lower yields to a Fund. Further, because of this feature, the value of ARMs is unlikely to rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same extent as fixed-rate instruments. The Investment Manager expects that the amount of privately issued mortgage-backed securities that may be purchased by a Fund will not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, and the securities of any one such issuer purchased by a Fund will not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.
Other Mortgage-Related Securities
.
Other mortgage-related securities include securities other than those described above that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property, including mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals or stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”). Other mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships, trusts and special purpose entities of the foregoing.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls.
In forward roll transactions, also known as mortgage “dollar rolls,” a fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. A fund may enter into a mortgage dollar roll commitment with the intention of entering into an offsetting transaction whereby, rather than accepting delivery of the security on the specified future date, the fund sells the security and then agrees to repurchase a similar security at a later time. In this case, the fund forgoes interest on the security during the roll period and is compensated by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale of the security and by the difference between the sale price and the lower repurchase price at the future date. At the time a fund enters into a mortgage dollar roll commitment, the fund will set aside cash or other appropriate liquid securities with a value at least equal to the fund’s obligation under the commitment. A fund’s liquidity and ability to manage its assets might be affected when it sets aside cash or portfolio securities to cover such commitments.
Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a mortgage dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a fund’s use of proceeds of the dollar roll may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities.
Forward roll transactions may have a leveraging effect on a fund, making the value of an investment in the fund more volatile and increasing the fund’s overall investment exposure.
CMO Residuals.
CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing.
The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the prepayment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to prepayments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.
CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. The CMO residual market has only very recently developed and CMO residuals currently may not have the liquidity of other more established securities trading in other markets. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may, or, pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the 1933 Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the 1933 Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities.
Stripped Mortgage Backed Securities.
Stripped mortgage backed securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. SMBS may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing.
SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on IOs, POs and other mortgage securities that are purchased at a substantial premium or discount generally are extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on such securities’ yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities have received the highest rating by an NRSRO.
Although SMBS are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, established trading markets have not developed and, accordingly, these securities may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities.
Other types of mortgage-related derivative securities include various types of structured securities with interest rates or, in some cases, principal payable at maturity that change positively or inversely in relation to one or more interest rates, financial indices or other financial indicators (“references prices”). A structured mortgage-backed security may be leveraged to the extent that the magnitude of any change in the interest rate or principal payable on the security is a multiple of the change in the reference price. Such securities may include interest only (“IO”) and principal only (“PO”) securities, floating rate and inverse floating rate securities, floating rate securities linked to the Cost of Funds Index (“COFI floaters”), floating rate securities that are subject to a maximum interest rate (“capped floaters”), dual index floaters (which are subject to depreciation in the event of an unfavorable change in the spread between two designated interest rates) and range floaters (the coupons on which are subject to reduction if a designated interest rate floats outside of a specified interest rate band or collar). These securities may be illiquid and their values may be very volatile.
Risks Associated with Prepayments
.
Prepayments of principal of mortgage-related securities by mortgagors or mortgage foreclosures affect the average life of the mortgage-related securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Mortgage prepayments are affected by the level of interest rates and other factors, including general economic conditions and the underlying location and age of the mortgage. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. Because prepayments of principal generally occur when interest rates are declining, it is likely that a Fund, to the extent that it retains the same percentage of debt securities, may have to reinvest the proceeds of prepayments at lower interest rates than those of its previous investments. If this occurs, a Fund’s yield will correspondingly decline. Thus, mortgage-related securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates than other fixed income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates. To the extent that a Fund purchases mortgage-related securities at a premium, unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, result in a loss equal to any unamortized premium.
Duration is one of the fundamental tools used by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser in managing interest rate risks, including prepayment risks. Traditionally, a debt security’s “term to maturity” characterizes a security’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates “term to maturity,” however, measures only the time until a debt security provides its final payment, taking no account of pre-maturity payments. Most debt securities provide interest (“coupon”) payments in addition to a final (“par”) payment at maturity, and some securities have call provisions allowing the issuer to repay the instrument in full before maturity date, each of which affects the security’s response to interest rate changes. “Duration” is considered a more precise measure of interest rate risk than “term to maturity.” Determining duration may involve the Investment Manager’s or a Sub-Adviser’s estimates of future economic parameters, which may vary from actual future values. Fixed income securities with effective durations of three years are more responsive to interest rate fluctuations than those with effective durations of one year. For example, if interest rates rise by 1%, the value of securities having an effective duration of three years will generally decrease by approximately 3%.
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) and other Eligible Securities (as that term is defined below). ABCP is issued by structured investment vehicles or other conduits, and typically has an original term to maturity of up to 270 days. Payment is supported by cash flows from large pools of assets with large numbers of revolving obligors, such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving credit (
e.g.
, credit card) agreements. The structured investment vehicles or other conduits issuing the ABCP are sponsored by mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and special purpose finance entities.
The credit quality of most ABCP depends primarily on the credit quality of the underlying assets, how well the entity issuing the security is insulated from the credit risk of the originator (or any other affiliated entities), and the amount and quality of any credit support provided to the securities.
Payments or distributions of principal and interest on ABCP depend primarily on the cash collections received from the underlying asset portfolio and the conduit’s ability to issue new ABCP. A fund investing in such securities may incur losses in the event or credit or market value deterioration in the underlying portfolio, mismatches in the timing of the cash flows of the underlying asset interests and the repayment obligations of maturing ABCP, or the conduit’s inability to issue new ABCP. To protect investors from such risks, payment may also be supported with various protections such as credit enhancements, liquidity support, various forms of cash collateral accounts or letters of credit, and commercial paper stop-issuance and wind-down triggers. However there can be no guarantee that these protections will be sufficient to prevent losses to investors in ABCP.
Some ABCP programs provide for an extension of the maturity date of the ABCP if, on the related maturity date, the conduit is unable to access sufficient liquidity through the issue of additional ABCP. This may delay the sale of the underlying collateral and a fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral deteriorates during the extension period. Alternatively, if collateral for ABCP commercial paper deteriorates in value, the collateral may be required to be sold at inopportune times or at prices insufficient to repay the principal and interest on the ABCP. ABCP programs may provide for the issuance of subordinated notes as an additional form of credit enhancement. The subordinated notes are typically of a lower credit quality and have a higher risk of default.
Asset-Backed Securities.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in asset-backed securities. These types of securities represent a director or indirect participation in, or are secured by and payable from, cash flows from pools of assets such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving credit (
e.g.
, credit card) agreements.
Payment of principal and interest on asset-back securities may largely depend upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. In an effort to lessen the effect of failures by obligors on these underlying assets to make payments, such securities may contain elements of credit support. Credit support for asset-backed securities may be based on the underlying assets or credit enhancements provided by a third party. Credit support falls into two classes: liquidity protection and protection against ultimate default on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against ultimate default ensures payment on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, letters of credit obtained from third parties, various means of structuring the transaction, or a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided on each issue is based generally on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with such payments. Delinquency or loss in excess of that anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in an asset-backed security.
Asset-backed securities are subject to the risk of prepayment. Prepayments of principal of asset-backed securities affect the average life of the asset-backed securities in a Fund’s portfolio. Prepayments are affected by the level of interest rates and other factors, including general economic conditions. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool of asset-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than the original investment, affecting the Fund’s yield. Thus, asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates than other fixed income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates.
The values of asset-backed securities are affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement, and the exhaustion of any credit enhancement. In its capacity as purchaser of an asset-backed security, a fund would generally have no recourse to the entity that originated the loans in the event of default by the borrower. Asset backed securities may present certain risks not relevant to mortgage-backed securities. Assets underlying asset-backed securities such as credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and debtors are entitled to the protection of various state and federal consumer protection laws, some of which provide a right of set-off that may reduce the balance owed.
Asset-backed securities are relatively new and untested instruments and may be subject to greater risk of default during periods of economic downturn than other securities. In addition, the secondary market for asset-backed securities may not be as liquid as the market for other securities, which may result in difficulty in valuing asset-backed securities.
Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts.
Among the asset-backed securities in which the Dividend & Income, Intermediate Fixed Income and Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolios may invest are securities backed by the income generated by “Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts” (“Litigation Advance Notes”). The owner of such a contract is entitled to receive a specified sum of money when and if a “Claimant” (which term means an individual who has filed a lawsuit, is entitled to file a lawsuit, or has settled a lawsuit) and/or the Claimant’s attorney collects on the claim upon which the lawsuit is based. Investments in Litigation Advance Notes involve a number of unique risks. An investment in Litigation Advance Notes is highly speculative. Litigation Advance Notes are illiquid as are the Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts backing them, and cannot be readily sold. Additionally, the market for Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts is relatively new and evolving. Because there is no readily available market price for the Litigation Advance Notes, and the calculation of each Portfolio’s net asset value involves many assumptions, valuations assigned to the Litigation Advance Notes in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trust may be inaccurate. In the event that payments are not generated by the Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts backing the Litigation Advance Notes as expected, payments due to the Portfolios under the Litigation Advance Notes may not be made.
Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts involve significant risks that may result in the loss of a significant portion of any investment made by a contract owner. A Claimant or the Claimant’s counsel may fail to collect sufficient proceeds in connection with a claim to allow payment under the Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contract. Cases underlying a contract may not result in the expected payout due to difficulties associated with the process by which cases are selected for investment (
e.g.
, improper selection criteria, improper application of selection criteria or that information material to the origination process is unavailable at the time of case selection). Persons against whom a claim is asserted (or their insurers) may be unable or unwilling to satisfy such payment obligations. Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts must be effectively administered and the underlying cases monitored. Necessary services may include, without limitation, custody of the documents evidencing the rights of the contract owner, monitoring the progress of cases and payments received by Claimants or their attorneys, and monitoring potential changes in the legal and regulatory environment relating to Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts. A lack of proper servicing can increase the risk that a Claimant or counsel has failed to make timely payments of litigation proceeds or otherwise honor obligations under the contract, without this fact being brought to the attention of the contract owner. A contract may not be enforced with respect to any case as a result of changes in applicable law or public policy and/or a specific term of a contract may not be enforced by courts or may otherwise violate applicable law.
The various transactions and legal processes involved in the origination, transfer and servicing of litigation proceeds purchase contracts occur in the context of a highly regulated legal environment. Relevant laws and regulations are subject to constant change. Law and professional regulations (including ethics regulations) associated with acquiring or otherwise taking a financial position or commercial interest with respect to a lawsuit is particularly complex and uncertain. Various jurisdictions prohibit or restrict purchasing claims from claimants, assigning certain kinds of claims, and/or participating in a lawyer’s contingent fee interests (including ethical rules against sharing fees with lawyers and non-lawyers). In addition, some jurisdictions do not have a specific law in place validating the legality of litigation proceeds purchase contracts. This lack of legislation or regulation provides the opportunity for new legislation or regulation to be introduced which may make impermissible or otherwise limit the ability to make such advances within the state. Although the Adviser believes that any such new law would likely not be applied retroactively to currently existing contracts, there can be no guarantee that retroactive application will not be attempted. Claimants may also change residences and cases may be transferred during the course of litigation to jurisdictions that do not permit such transactions and/or in which there is a higher degree of uncertainty regarding such transactions. In certain jurisdictions, such as California, while no binding court decisions specifically disapprove of the practice, a court may still decline to enforce such arrangements if, for example, there is an indication that a non-party to a claim is in any way controlling the prosecution of that lawsuit, or if it appears that a non-lawyer is unlawfully engaged in the practice of law, or if the arrangement otherwise offends the public policy of the jurisdiction. To the extent that any Claimants move to states in which such contracts are illegal or unenforceable, the litigation proceeds expected to be generated by the pool of underlying contracts may be adversely affected.
In addition, lending and usury laws, contracts laws, bankruptcy considerations, and federal tax legislation, among other legal factors, also may play a significant role in the purchase, pledge or enforcement of Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts. The lack of specific authority provides the opportunity for future legislative activity, judicial determination or attorney general interpretation to deem that Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts are either impermissible or require some form of licensure by the issuer or otherwise violate lending or usury laws. However, the Advisor is unaware of any such current limitation, finding, interpretation, requirement or violation applicable to the Litigation Proceeds Purchase Contracts underlying any Litigation Advance Notes held by the Funds.
Variable Rate Demand Notes.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”). VRDNs generally are tax-exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period prior to specified dates, generally at 30-, 60-, 90-, 180-, or 365-day intervals. The interest rates are generally adjustable at intervals ranging from daily to one year. Adjustment formulas are designed to maintain the market value of the VRDN at approximately the par value of the VRDN upon the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the prime rate of a bank or some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index.
The Funds also may invest in VRDNs in the form of participation interests (“Participating VRDNs”) in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution, typically a commercial bank (“institution”). Participating VRDNs provide a Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDNs from the institution upon a specified number of days’ notice, not to exceed seven. In addition, the Participating VRDN is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the institution. A Fund has an undivided interest in the underlying obligation and thus participates on the same basis as the institution in such obligation except that the institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment.
Participating VRDNs may be unrated or rated, and their creditworthiness may be a function of the creditworthiness of the issuer, the institution furnishing the irrevocable letter of credit, or both. Accordingly, these Funds may invest in such VRDNs, the issuers or underlying institutions of which the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) believes are creditworthy and satisfy the quality requirements of these Funds. The Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) periodically monitors the creditworthiness of the issuer of such securities and the underlying institution.
During periods of high inflation and periods of economic slowdown, together with the fiscal measures adopted by governmental authorities to attempt to deal with them, interest rates have varied widely. While the value of the underlying VRDN may change with changes in interest rates generally, the variable rate nature of the underlying VRDN should minimize changes in the value of the instruments. Accordingly, as interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation and the risk of potential capital depreciation is less than would be the case with a portfolio of fixed income securities. Some VRDNs have minimum or maximum rates, or maximum rates set by state law, which limit the degree to which interest on such VRDNs may fluctuate; to the extent they do, increases or decreases in value may be somewhat lesser than would be the case without such limits. Because the adjustment of interest rates on the VRDNs is made in relation to movements of various interest rate adjustment indices, the VRDNs are not comparable to long-term fixed-rate securities. Accordingly, interest rates on the VRDNs may be higher or lower than current market
rates for fixed-rate obligations of comparable quality with similar maturities. VRDNs may earn lower yields than other types of fixed income securities in which the Funds invest.
Exchange-Traded Notes.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) . ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of investment banks which are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indices. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a weekly basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. ETNs are riskier than ordinary unsecured debt securities and have no principal protection. The Fund will generally invest in ETNs which are linked to commodities indices. The Fund’s investment in an ETN may be influenced by many unpredictable factors, including highly volatile commodities prices, changes in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates, and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Investing in ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself. Because ETNs are debt securities, they possess credit risk; if the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the investor may not receive the return it was promised.
Foreign Securities.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the Dividend & Income Fund and Intermediate Fixed Income Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in securities issued by companies organized or principally doing business in foreign countries and by governments of foreign countries.
ADRs, EDRs and GDRs.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy make foreign investments by investing in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Multi-Asset Fund may invest in ADRs, European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), other similar global instruments available in emerging markets, other securities convertible into securities of eligible issuers, and other types of foreign securities, and the U.S. Core Equity Fund may invest in ADRs and securities of foreign issuers registered on the NYSE or NASDAQ. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for which they may be exchanged. Generally, ADRs in registered form are publicly trades on exchanges or over-the-counter in the United States, and EDRs and other similar global instruments in bearer form are designed for use in European securities markets. ADRs may be sponsored by the foreign issuer or may be unsponsored. Unsponsored ADRs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the foreign issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information regarding the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs, and the prices of unsponsored ADRs may be more volatile than if they were sponsored by the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, in a sponsored ADR arrangement the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay some or all of the depository’s transaction fees, whereas under an unsponsored arrangement the depository’s transaction fees are paid by the ADR holders. For purposes of a Fund’s investment policies, a Fund’s investments in ADRs, EDRs and similar instruments will be deemed to be investments in the equity securities representing the securities of foreign issuers into which they may be converted.
Economic, Political and Social Factors.
Certain foreign countries may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than the United States. Such instability my result from, among other things, authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; internal insurgencies; hostile relations with neighboring countries; and ethnic, religious and racial conflict. Economies in individual non-U.S. countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment position. Foreign investments also involve the possibility of expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation; taxation of income earned in foreign nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest and dividends) or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign nations; foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country and repatriation of investments); and default in foreign government securities. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries, the values of foreign investments, and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations.
The financial problems in global economies over the past several years, including the European sovereign debt crisis, may continue to cause high volatility in global financial markets. In addition, global economies are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact a different country or region. The severity or duration of these conditions may also be affected if one or more countries leave the euro currency or by other policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations.
Foreign Securities Markets and Regulations.
There is often less publicly available information about foreign issuers than those in the United States. Foreign companies are often not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. In certain countries there is less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the United States. Further, the Funds may encounter difficulties in pursuing legal remedies or in obtaining judgments in foreign courts.
Brokerage commissions, fees for custodial services and other costs relating to investments in other countries are generally greater than in the United States. Foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures from those in the United States, and certain markets have experienced times when settlements did not keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, which resulted in settlement difficulty. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement difficulties could cause it to miss attractive investment opportunities. Any delay in selling a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result in loss to a Fund if the value of the portfolio security declined, or result in claims against a Fund if it had entered into a contract to sell the security. The securities markets of many of the countries in which the Funds may invest may also be smaller, less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than those in the United States. The less liquid a market, the more difficult it may be for a Fund to accurately price its portfolio securities or to dispose of such securities at desirable times.
Foreign Currencies.
Certain securities in which the Funds invest may be denominated in foreign currencies, the values of which will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and costs will be incurred in connection with conversions between currencies. A change in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. Dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. Dollar value of the Fund’s securities denominated in the currency. Such changes also affect the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by changes in the relative rates of exchange among the currencies of different nations, and the Fund may therefore engage in foreign currency hedging strategies. Such strategies, however, involve certain transaction costs and investment risks, including dependence upon the Investment Manager’s ability to predict movements in exchange rates.
Currency exchange rates generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries as viewed from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
Some countries in which the Funds may invest may also have fixed or managed currencies that are not freely convertible at market rates into the U.S. Dollar. Certain currencies may not be internationally traded. A number of these currencies have experienced steady devaluation relative to the U.S. Dollar, and such devaluations in the currencies may have a detrimental impact on a Fund. Many countries in which a Fund may invest have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuation in inflation rates may have negative effects on certain economies and securities markets. Moreover, the economies of some countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as the rate of growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Certain countries also limit the amount of foreign capital that can be invested in their markets and local companies, creating a “foreign premium” on capital investments available to foreign investors such as the Funds. A Fund may pay a “foreign premium” to establish an investment position which it cannot later recoup because of changes in that country’s foreign investment laws.
The Funds may endeavor to buy and sell foreign currencies on favorable terms. Some price spreads on currency exchange (to cover service charges) may be incurred, particularly when the Funds change investments from one country to another or when proceeds from the sale of shares in U.S. Dollars are used for the purchase of securities in foreign countries. The Funds may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations, and by exchange control regulations, as well as indigenous economic and political developments.
The Investment Manager (and each Sub-Adviser, as relevant) considers at least annually the likelihood of the imposition by any foreign government of exchange control restrictions that would affect the liquidity of the Funds’ assets maintained with custodians in foreign countries, as well as the degree of risk from political acts of foreign governments to which such assets may be exposed. The Investment Manager (and each Sub-Adviser, as relevant) also considers the degree of risk attendant to holding portfolio securities in domestic and foreign securities depositories.
Emerging Market Securities.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund will (as a principal investment strategy) and the Dividend & Income Fund may (as a non-principal investment strategy) invest in securities of companies in emerging markets. Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in developing or emerging market countries, such as many of the countries of Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Although there is no universally accepted definition, a developing country is generally considered to be a country which is in the initial stages of its industrialization cycle with a per capita gross national product of less than $8,000.
The economies of many of these 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. Many of these countries may also have government exchange controls, currencies with no recognizable market value relative to the established currencies of western market economies, little or no experience in trading in securities, no financial reporting standards, a lack of a banking and securities infrastructure to handle such trading, and a legal tradition which does not recognize rights in private property.
In certain of these countries, severe and persistent levels of inflation, including, in some cases, hyperinflation, have, in turn, led to high interest rates, extreme measures by governments to keep inflation in check, and a generally debilitating effect on economic growth. Although inflation in many countries has lessened, there is no guarantee it will remain at lower levels. The political history of certain of these countries has also been characterized by political uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres (including expropriation, nationalization and confiscation of assets and property, and restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested) and political corruption. Such developments, if they were to reoccur, could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization, and removal of trade barriers, and result in significant disruption in securities markets. A number of these countries are highly dependent on foreign loans for their operation. There have been moratoria on, and reschedulings of, repayment with respect to many countries’ debts. Such events can restrict the flexibility of these debtor nations in the international markets and result in the imposition of onerous conditions on their economies.
Investments in India Through Mauritius.
The Emerging Markets Fund currently intends to gain exposure to Indian securities through investments in the Rochdale Emerging Markets (Mauritius), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a private limited company under the laws of the Republic of Mauritius (the “Subsidiary”). The Investment Manager manages the assets of the Subsidiary, but receives no additional compensation for doing so. To the extent that the Fund invests through the Subsidiary, an investment in the Fund will be an indirect investment in the Subsidiary. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and has no current intention to sell or transfer shares of the Subsidiary. Descriptions in this SAI of investment restrictions, securities and transactions, and their associated risks, generally refer to both investments made directly and indirectly through the Subsidiary.
The Subsidiary is regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission. The Mauritius Financial Services Commission does not vouch for the financial soundness of the Subsidiary or for the correctness of any statements made or opinions expressed with regard to the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is currently licensed as a Global Business Company (Category 1) with the Mauritius Financial Services Commission and its shares are currently only available to the Fund. As an investor in the Subsidiary, the Fund is not protected by any statutory compensation arrangements in Mauritius in the event of the Subsidiary’s failure.
Foreign investment in the securities of issuers in India is usually restricted or controlled to some degree. In India, only certain “Foreign Institutional Investors” (“FIIs”) and non-Indian mutual funds that comply with certain statutory conditions may make direct portfolio investments in exchange-traded Indian securities (and securities to be listed, or those approved on the over-the-counter exchange of India). The Subsidiary is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) as a “Sub-Account” of the Adviser, to utilize the Adviser’s registration as an FII with SEBI. However, the Subsidiary must still seek renewal of this status every three years, and both the Adviser and the Subsidiary will be required to fulfill any conditions imposed by SEBI. There can be no guarantee that regulatory approval will be forthcoming, or that the Adviser and the Subsidiary will be able to fulfill any conditions imposed by SEBI. The investment by the Subsidiary in Indian securities is therefore dependent on its continued registration as a Sub-Account of the Adviser and on the Adviser’s continued registration as a FII. Any loss of either such registration could result in mandatory divestment by the Subsidiary.
The income, assets and activities of the Subsidiary are treated as those of the Fund. Investments made by the Subsidiary in Indian securities are treated as investments by the Fund, and dividends and distributions received by the Subsidiary on these investments are treated as having been received by the Fund. Any investment made by the Fund in the Subsidiary, and any distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund are disregarded as the Subsidiary is not treated as an entity separate from the Fund. The Fund will invest in the Subsidiary through daily subscriptions and redemptions of the Subsidiary’s Participating Shares.
Participation Certificates.
The Emerging Markets Fund may invest in participation certificates as a non-principal investment strategy. Participation certificates are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to replicate the performance of certain non-U.S. companies traded on non-U.S. exchanges. Participation certificates are a type of equity-linked derivative which generally are traded over-the-counter. Even though a participation certificate is intended to reflect the performance of the underlying equity securities on a one-to-one basis so that
investors will not normally gain or lose more in absolute terms than they would have made or lost had they invested in the underlying securities directly, the performance results of participation certificates will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. Investments in participation certificates involve risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities. In addition, participation certificates are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the broker-dealer or bank that issues the notes will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Participation certificates constitute general unsecured, unsubordinated contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them, and the Fund will rely on the creditworthiness of such banks or broker-dealers and will have no rights under a participation certificate against the issuers of the securities underlying such participation certificate.
Hedge Funds.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in private investment funds (“Hedge Funds”) managed by various investment managers (“Managers”) that use a variety of investment strategies, including investment in other Hedge Funds. By investing in Hedge Funds indirectly through a Fund, an investor indirectly bears a portion of the asset-based fees, incentive-based allocations and other expenses borne by the Fund as an investor in Hedge Funds, in addition to the operating expenses of the Fund. The incentive-based allocations assessed by Managers and borne directly by the Fund may create an incentive for Managers to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than those that might have been made in the absence of incentive-based allocations. In addition, because an incentive-based allocation will generally be calculated on a basis that includes unrealized appreciation of a Hedge Fund’s assets, the allocation may be greater than if it were based solely on realized gains. Because the Managers value the Hedge Funds they manage, which directly affects the amount of incentive-based allocations they receive, Managers face a conflict of interest in performing such valuations. Each Manager will receive any incentive-based allocations to which it is entitled irrespective of the performance of the other Hedge Funds and the Fund generally. Accordingly, a Manager that manages a Hedge Fund with positive performance may receive incentive-based compensation from the Fund, which will be borne indirectly by the Fund’s shareholders, even if the Fund’s overall returns are negative. Various risks are associated with the securities and other instruments in which Hedge Funds may invest their investment strategies and the specialized investment techniques they may use.
Hedge Funds are not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund, as an investor in Hedge Funds, will not have the benefit of the protections afforded by the 1940 Act to investors in registered investment companies, such as mutual funds. To the extent the Fund invests in a Hedge Fund that allows its investors to effect withdrawals only at certain specified times, the Fund may not be able to withdraw its investment in such Hedge Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so, which may result in a loss and adversely affect the Fund’s investment return. To the extent the Fund invests in a Hedge Fund that is permitted to distribute securities in kind to investors making withdrawals, upon the Fund’s withdrawal of all or a portion of its interest in such Hedge Fund the Fund may receive securities that are illiquid or difficult to value.
Short Sales.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy engage in short sales of securities as a part of their overall portfolio management strategy. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. At the time a short sale is effected, the Fund incurs an obligation to replace the borrowed security at its price at the time the Fund purchases it for delivery to the lender. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time that the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. The risk of loss is theoretically unlimited if the value of the security sold short continues to increase. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs incurred in effecting the short sale.
Until the security is replaced, the Fund may be required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividend or interest which accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund may also be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed. Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will (a) maintain cash or liquid securities at such levels that the amount so maintained plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short, or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position.
Investment Company Shares.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in shares of other investment companies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions set forth in this SAI. Investment companies in which a Fund invests typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Funds’ purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund expenses. The Funds limit investments in securities issued by other investment companies in accordance with the 1940 Act and SEC rules. Generally, under the 1940 Act, a Fund may invest its assets in any investment company, as long as the Fund and its affiliated persons own no more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of the acquired investment company. In addition, any acquisitions of investment company shares by any affiliated underlying funds are subject to the following restrictions: (a) no more than 5% of the affiliated underlying fund’s total assets may be invested in any one investment company, and (b) an affiliated underlying fund’s investments in all investment companies is limited to 10% of the Fund’s total assets. These restrictions may not apply to the Fund’s investments in money market mutual funds, if the Fund’s investments fall within the exceptions set forth under SEC rules.
Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).
The Dividend & Income Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). An MLP is an entity receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code, and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. A typical MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners; however, some entities receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code are established as limited liability companies. The general partner manages the partnership has an ownership stake in the partnership (typically a 2% general partner equity interest and additional common units and subordinated units), and in many cases is eligible to receive an incentive distribution. The limited partners provide capital to the partnership, have a limited (if any) role in the operation and management of the partnership, and are entitled to receive cash distributions with respect to their units. An MLP typically pays an established minimum quarterly distribution to common unit holders, as provided under the terms of its partnership agreement. Common units have arrearage rights in distributions to the extent that the MLP fails to make minimum quarterly distributions. Once the MLP distributes the minimum quarterly distribution to common units, subordinated units then are entitled to receive distributions of up to the minimum quarterly distribution, but have no arrearage rights. At the discretion of the general partner, any distributable cash that exceeds the minimum quarterly distribution that the MLP distributed to the common and subordinated units is then distributed to both common and subordinated units, typically on a pro rata basis. Incentive distributions are often paid to the general partner such that as the distribution to limited partnership interests increases, the general partner may receive a proportionately larger share of the total distribution. Incentive distributions are designed to encourage the general partner, who controls and operates the partnership, to maximize the partnership’s cash flow and increase distributions to the limited partners.
To qualify as an MLP for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an entity must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from certain mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, and gain from the sale or other disposition of a capital asset held for the production of such income. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, mining, processing, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines), of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy, natural resources, or real estate sectors. The Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of the MLP entities in which the Fund invests will be engaged primarily in the energy industry. The Fund may, however, invest in MLP entities in any sector of the economy. Due to their federal income tax treatment as partnerships, MLPs generally do not pay income taxes, but investors holding interests in MLPs are generally subject to tax on their shares of the MLPs’ income and gains.
Holders of MLP units are exposed to a remote possibility of liability for all of the obligations of that MLP in the event that a court determines that the rights of the unitholders to take certain action under the limited partnership agreement would constitute “control” of the business of that MLP, or if a court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is conducting business in a state without complying with the limited partnership statute of that state.
Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities were to fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and the ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.
Zero Coupon Bonds.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in zero coupon securities, which are debt securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value and do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity, a specified redemption date or a cash payment date. The securities are redeemed at face value on the specified maturity date. The amount of the discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and perceived credit quality of the issuer. Zero coupon securities also may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. The market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of interest-bearing securities and respond more to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities with similar maturities and credit qualities. The “original issue discount” on the zero coupon bonds must be included ratably in the income of the Fund as the income accrues even though payment has not been received. The Funds nevertheless intend to distribute amounts of cash equal to the currently accrued original issue discount, and this may require liquidating other securities at times the Funds might not otherwise do so and may result in capital loss.
Pay-In-Kind Bonds.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in pay-in-kind bonds. These are securities which, at the issuer’s option, pay interest in either cash or additional securities for a specified period. Pay-in-kind bonds, like zero coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. Pay-in-kind bonds are usually less volatile than zero coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities.
REITs.
The Dividend & Income Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) as a principal investment strategy. REITs are trusts that invest primarily in commercial real estate or real estate-related loans. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it complies with statutory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income, and with an additional statutory requirement that it distribute to its shareholders or unitholders at least 90% of its taxable income for each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity and Mortgage REITs. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, shareholders will bear not only the proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of underlying REITs.
A Fund may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in 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 financing a limited number of properties. 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. In addition, a REIT may fail to qualify for its expected tax treatment under the Code or may fail to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
Privatizations.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in “privatizations” – foreign governmental programs of selling interests in government-owned or -controlled enterprises – which may represent opportunities for significant capital appreciation. The ability of U.S. entities, such as these Funds, to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the terms for their participation may be less advantageous than for local investors. There can be no assurance that privatization programs will be successful.
Special Situations.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in “special situations” – joint ventures, cooperatives, partnerships, private placements, unlisted securities and similar vehicles. The Investment Manager believes that carefully selected special situations could enhance the Funds’ capital appreciation potential. The Funds also may invest in certain types of vehicles or derivative securities that represent indirect investments in foreign markets or securities in which it is impracticable for the Funds to invest directly. Investments in special situations may be illiquid, as determined by the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) based on criteria reviewed by the Board.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy enter into forward foreign currency contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency amount at a future date, agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. The Funds may enter into contracts to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. Dollars or other appropriate currency, the amount of foreign currency approximately equal to the value of some or all of the securities of the Funds denominated in such foreign currency. Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The cost to a Fund of engaging in such contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because such contracts are entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.
By entering into forward foreign currency contracts, the Funds will seek to protect the value of their investment securities against a decline in the value of a currency. However, these forward foreign currency contracts will not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. Rather, they simply establish a rate of exchange which one can obtain at some future point in time. Although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase. At the maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may either sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an “offsetting” contract with the same currency trader, obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the foreign currency. These Funds may realize gains or losses from currency transactions.
If a Fund engages in a forward currency contract with respect to particular securities, the precise matching of forward currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved generally will not be possible because the value of such securities, measured in the non-U.S. currency, will change after the contract has been established. Thus a Fund might need to purchase or sell non-U.S. currencies in the spot (cash) market to the extent such non-U.S. currencies are not covered by forward currency contracts.
Pursuant to Section 18 of the 1940 Act and SEC staff interpretations thereunder, for forwards that are not contractually required to “cash settle,” a Fund must cover its open positions by segregating liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full notional value. For forwards that are contractually required to cash settle, however, a Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (
i.e
., the Fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the notional value.
Municipal Securities.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the Dividend & Income Fund and Intermediate Fixed Income Fund (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in municipal securities. Municipal securities consist of (1) debt obligations issued by state and local governments or by public authorities to obtain funds to be used for a wide variety of public facilities, for refunding outstanding obligations, for general operating expenses, for lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities, and in anticipation of the receipt of revenue or the issuance of other obligations, and (2) certain private activity and industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated facilities.
The two principal classifications of municipal securities are “general obligation” securities and “limited obligation” or “revenue” securities. General debt obligation securities are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due is affected by the issuer’s maintenance of its tax base. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenue of a project or facility (for example, tolls from a toll bridge) or class of facilities, or in some cases from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. Accordingly, the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue security is a function of the economic viability of the facility or revenue source. Revenue securities include private activity bonds and industrial development obligations which are not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development obligations generally depends solely on the ability of the revenues generated by the use of the specified facilities. Municipal securities may also include “moral obligation” bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.
Municipal securities generally have a lower yield than taxable securities. Because the Funds do not expect to meet the requirements to be tax-exempt funds, Fund shareholders will not receive the benefit of any tax exempt interest.
Municipal Leases
.
Municipal lease obligations are instruments, or participations in instruments, issued in connection with lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations of municipalities. Although municipal lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuing municipality, a lease obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s covenant to budget for, appropriate funds for, and make the payments due under the lease obligation. Specifically, in the state of California there are often legal covenants to budget for, appropriate funds for, and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses, which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years if the project is not available for use and occupancy. Municipal leases will be treated as liquid only if they satisfy criteria set forth in guidelines established by the Board, and there can be no assurance that a market will exist or continue to exist for any municipal lease obligation. Because the Funds do not expect to meet the requirements to be tax-exempt funds, Fund shareholders will not receive the benefit of any tax exempt interest.
Municipal Notes
.
Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes, and construction loan notes. The maturities of the instruments at the time of issue will generally range from 90 days to 397 days. Because the Funds do not expect to meet the requirements to be tax-exempt funds, Fund shareholders will not receive the benefit of any tax exempt interest.
Private Activity and Industrial Development Bonds
.
Private activity and industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-owned or -operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking or sewage or solid waste disposal facilities, as well as certain other categories. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments by entity owning or operating the facility, which may or may not be guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. Such bonds generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing power of the issuer of the bonds, and therefore depend on the revenue of a private entity. The continued ability of such an entity to generate sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds may be affected by many factors, including the size of the entity, its capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation and the extent of the entity’s dependence on revenues from the operation of the particular facility being financed, and may be dependent solely on the revenues generated by the use of the facility. The interest paid on private activity or industrial development bonds are generally exempt from federal income tax. However, because the Funds do not expect to meet the requirements to be tax-exempt funds, Fund shareholders will not receive the benefit of any tax exempt interest.
Derivatives.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy use various types of derivatives (“Financial Instruments”) for various reasons, including as a substitute for other investments, to attempt to enhance a portfolio’s total return or yield, or to hedge or otherwise alter the investment characteristics of a portfolio. Except as otherwise provided in its prospectus, this SAI or by applicable law, each such Fund may purchase and sell any type of Financial Instrument, including those which may become available in the future as the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser develops new techniques and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. As with any other investment or investment technique, any such Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons (including cost considerations), and there can be no assurance that any derivatives strategy employed will be successful.
The use of Financial Instruments may be limited by applicable law and any applicable regulations of the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), or the exchanges on which some Financial Instruments may be traded. In addition, recent legislation calls for new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. Any new regulations could adversely affect the value, availability, and performance of derivative instruments, may make them more costly, and may limit or restrict their use by a Fund.
Summary of Certain Risks.
The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are summarized below, and may result in losses to a fund. In general, the use of Financial Instruments may increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risk or exposure assumed. Even a small investment in derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to a fund. As noted above, there can be no assurance that any derivatives strategy will succeed.
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Financial Instruments are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to a fund’s interest. Many Financial Instruments are complex, and successful use of them depends in part upon an adviser’s ability to forecast correctly future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate or currency. Even if the adviser’s forecasts are correct, other factors may cause distortions or dislocations in the markets that result in unsuccessful transactions. Financial Instruments may behave in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal or volatile market conditions.
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A fund may be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts, post collateral or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral may be required to be in the form of cash or liquid securities, and typically may not be sold while the position in the Financial Instrument is open unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If markets move against a fund’s position, the fund may be required to maintain or post additional assets and may have to dispose of existing investments to obtain assets acceptable as collateral or margin. This may prevent it from pursuing its investment objective. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral typically are invested, and these investments are subject to risk and may result in losses to a fund. These losses may be substantial, and may be in addition to losses incurred by using the Financial Instrument in question. If a fund is unable to close out its positions, it may be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the positions expire or mature, and the fund will continue to be subject to investment risk on the assets. Segregation, cover, margin and collateral requirements may impair a fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require the fund to sell a portfolio security or close out a derivatives position at a disadvantageous time or price.
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A fund’s ability to close out or unwind a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the “counterparty”) to enter into a transaction closing out the position. If there is no market or a fund is not successful in its negotiations, the fund may not be able to sell or unwind the derivative position at a particular time or at an anticipated price. This may also be the case if the counterparty to the Financial Instrument becomes insolvent. A fund may be required to make delivery of portfolio securities or other assets underlying a Financial Instrument in order to close out a position or to sell portfolio securities or assets at a disadvantageous time or price in order to obtain cash to close out the position. While the position remains open, a fund continues to be subject to investment risk on the Financial Instrument. A fund may or may not be able to take other actions or enter into other transactions, including hedging transactions, to limit or reduce its exposure to the Financial Instrument.
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Certain Financial Instruments transactions may have a leveraging effect on a fund, and adverse changes in the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate, currency or other instrument or measure can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the Financial Instrument itself. When a fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect, the value of the fund is likely to be more volatile and all other risks also are likely to be compounded. This is because leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of an asset and creates investment risk with respect to a larger pool of assets than a fund would otherwise have. Certain Financial Instruments have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.
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Many Financial Instruments may be difficult to value or may be valued subjectively. Inaccurate valuations can result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
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Liquidity risk exists when a particular Financial Instrument is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, a fund may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. Certain Financial Instruments, including certain over-the-counter (or “OTC”) options and swaps, may be considered illiquid and therefore subject to a fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
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In a hedging transaction there may be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the identity, price or price movements of a Financial Instrument and the identity, price or price movements of the investments being hedged. This lack of correlation may cause the hedge to be unsuccessful and may result in a fund incurring substantial losses and/or not achieving anticipated gains.
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Hedging strategies can reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements. Even if the strategy works as intended, a fund might be in a better position had it not attempted to hedge at all.
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Financial Instruments transactions used for non-hedging purposes may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio securities or declines in the cost of securities to be acquired. If a fund enters into a derivatives transaction as an alternative to purchasing or selling other investments or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the fund will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the other investments directly, as well as the risks of the derivatives transaction itself.
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Certain Financial Instruments transactions involve the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure by the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, a fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of the counterparty’s bankruptcy.
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Certain Financial Instruments transactions, including certain options, swaps, forward contracts, futures, and certain options on foreign currencies, are not entered into or traded on exchanges or in markets regulated by the CFTC or the SEC. Instead, such OTC derivatives are entered into directly by the counterparties and may be traded only through financial institutions acting as market makers. Many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available to participants in OTC derivatives transactions. For example, OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of an exchange or clearinghouse and as a result a fund bears greater risk of default by the counterparties to such transactions. Information available on counterparty creditworthiness may be incomplete or outdated, thus reducing the ability to anticipate counterparty defaults.
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Swap contracts involve special risks. Swaps may in some cases be illiquid. In the absence of a central exchange or market for swap transactions, they may be difficult to trade or value, especially in the event of market disruptions. 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 a fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Credit default swaps involve additional risks. For example, credit default swaps increase credit risk since a fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation (typically a debt obligation) and the counterparty to the credit default swap.
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Financial Instruments involve operational risk. There may be incomplete or erroneous documentation or inadequate collateral or margin, or transactions may fail to settle. The risk of operational failures may be higher for OTC derivatives transactions. For derivatives not guaranteed by an exchange, a fund may have only contractual remedies in the event of a counterparty default, and there may be delays, costs, disagreements as to the meaning of contractual terms and litigation, in enforcing those remedies.
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Financial Instruments transactions conducted outside the United States may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Many of the risks of OTC derivatives transactions are also applicable to derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States. Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States also are subject to the risks affecting foreign securities, currencies and other instruments.
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Financial Instruments involving currency are subject to additional risks. Currency related transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations. Exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a country’s economy. Also, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to foreign currencies. As a result, the information on which trading in currency derivatives is based may not be as complete as, and may be delayed beyond, comparable data for other transactions.
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Use of Financial Instruments involves transaction costs, which may be significant. Use of Financial Instruments also may increase the amount of taxable income to shareholders.
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Swap Agreements.
Each Fund (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in swap agreements. A swap is a financial instrument that typically involves the exchange of cash flows between two parties on specified dates (settlement dates), where the cash flows are based on agreed-upon measures such as prices, interest rates or indices. The nominal amount on which these cash flows are calculated is called the notional amount. Swaps are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, such as interest rates, foreign currency rates, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, security prices, indices or inflation rates.
Swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the investments of a Fund and its share price. The performance of swap agreements may be affected by a change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
Generally, a swap agreement has a fixed maturity date that is agreed upon by the parties. The agreement can be terminated before the maturity date only under limited circumstances, such as default by one of the parties or insolvency, among others, and can be transferred by a party only with the prior written consent of the other party. The Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or by other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. If the counterparty is unable to meet its obligations under the contract, declares bankruptcy, defaults or becomes insolvent, the Fund may not be able to recover the money it expected to receive under the contract.
A swap agreement can be a form of leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. In order to reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Fund will cover its current obligations under swap agreements according to guidelines established by the SEC. If the Fund enters into a swap agreement on a net basis, it will segregate assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the Fund is entitled to receive under the agreement. If the Fund enters into a swap agreement on other than a net basis, it will segregate assets with a value equal to the full amount of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the agreement.
Equity Swaps
.
In a typical equity swap, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a stock, stock index or basket of stocks in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, for example, the index receiver can gain exposure to stocks making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those stocks. Equity index swaps involve not only the risk associated with investment in the securities represented in the index, but also the risk that the performance of such securities, including dividends, will not exceed the return on the interest rate that the Fund will be committed to pay.
Interest Rate Swaps
.
Interest rate swaps are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate cash flow for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. Some of the different types of interest rate swaps are “fixed-for floating rate swaps,” “termed basis swaps” and “index amortizing swaps.” Fixed-for floating rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed interest rate cash flows for floating rate cash flows. Termed basis swaps entail cash flows to both parties based on floating interest rates, where the interest rate indices are different. Index amortizing swaps are typically fixed-for floating swaps where the notional amount changes if certain conditions are met.
Like a traditional investment in a debt security, a Fund could lose money by investing in an interest rate swap if interest rates change adversely. For example, if the Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a floating rate of interest for a fixed rate of interest, the Fund may have to pay more money than it receives. Similarly, if the Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a fixed rate of interest for a floating rate of interest, the Fund may receive less money than it has agreed to pay.
Credit Default Swaps
.
A typical credit default swap (“CDS”) involves an agreement to make a series of payments by the buyer in exchange for receipt of payment by the seller if the loan defaults. In the event of default the buyer of the CDS receives compensation (usually the face value of the loan), and the seller of the CDS takes possession of the defaulted loan.
Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Currencies
.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy purchase put and call options on securities in which it has invested, on foreign currencies represented in its portfolio and on any securities index based in whole or in part on securities in which that Fund may invest. These Funds also may enter into closing sales transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options they have purchased.
Each of these Funds normally will purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest or a positive change in the currency in which such securities are denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities or a specified amount of a foreign currency at a specified price during the option period. Each of these Funds normally will purchase put options in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest or a negative change in the currency in which such securities are denominated. The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to sell specified securities or a specified amount of a foreign currency at a specified price during the option period. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities, except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index and the amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price times a specified multiple which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference.
Each of these Funds may purchase and sell options traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges. Although a Fund will generally purchase only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time. For some options, no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might 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 transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of the underlying securities.
Secondary markets on an exchange may not exist or may not be liquid for a variety of reasons including: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on opening transactions or closing transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances which interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequate facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation to handle current trading volume at all times; or (vi) discontinuance in the future by one or more exchanges for economic or other reasons, of trading of options (or of a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Although these Funds do not currently intend to do so, they may, in the future, write (
i.e.
, sell) covered put and call options on securities, securities indices and currencies in which they may invest. A covered call option involves a Fund’s giving another party, in return for a premium, the right to buy specified securities owned by that Fund at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. A covered call option serves as a partial hedge against a price decline of the underlying security. However, by writing a covered call option, a Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in effect, to realize gain from any price increase (above the option exercise price) in the underlying security. In addition, a Fund’s ability to sell the underlying security is limited while the option is in effect unless that Fund effects a closing purchase transaction.
A covered put option gives the holder of the option the right to sell the underlying security to the Fund at the stated exercise price. A Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option but will be obligated for as long as the option is outstanding to purchase the underlying security at a price that may be higher than the market value of that security at the time of exercise. In order to “cover” put options it has written, a Fund will cause its custodian to segregate cash, cash equivalents, Government securities or other liquid equity or debt securities with at least the value of the exercise price of the put options. A Fund will not write put options if the aggregate value of the obligations underlying the put options exceeds 25% of that Fund’s total assets.
Options on indices may, depending on circumstances, involve greater risk than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it may not be able to provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities.
The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment, the historical price volatility of the underlying investment and general market conditions. Options purchased by a fund that expire unexercised have no value, and the fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid and any transaction costs. If an option written by a fund expires unexercised, the fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. Transaction costs must be included in these calculations.
A fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, a fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, a fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit a fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration. There can be no assurance that it will be possible for a fund to enter into any closing transaction.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures that may interfere with the timely execution of the Funds’ option orders.
Futures and Options on Futures
.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security or currency at a specified future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (contracts traded on the same exchange, on the same underlying security or index, and with the same delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. These Funds may use futures contracts and related options for bona fide hedging purposes, to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of, to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies, or to gain exposure to a particular market or instrument. These Funds will minimize the risk that they will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on national futures exchanges.
An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount multiplied by the difference between the bond index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the bonds comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to their expiration date.
In order to avoid leveraging and related risks, when one of the Funds invests in futures contracts, the Fund will cover positions by depositing an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the market value of the futures positions held, less margin deposits, in a segregated account and that amount will be marked-to-market on a daily basis.
There are risks associated with these activities, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be an imperfect or lack of correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held and the prices of futures and options on futures, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option, (4) trading restrictions or limitations, or increases in initial margin requirements, may be imposed by an exchange, and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures.
The Funds may buy and sell futures contracts and related options to manage exposure to changing interest rates and securities prices. Some strategies reduce a Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase market exposure. Futures and options on futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain risks that could negatively impact a Fund’s return. No price is paid upon entering into futures contracts. Instead, a Fund would be required to deposit an amount of cash or U.S. Treasury securities known as “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the broker, would be made on a daily basis as the value of the future position varies (a process known as “marked-to-market”). The margin is in the nature of performance bond or good-faith deposit on a futures contract. Futures and options on futures are taxable instruments.
Futures and options on futures are regulated by the CFTC. The Investment Manager and relevant Sub-Adviser have claimed exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore are not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act. In February 2012, the CFTC announced substantial amendments to certain exemptions, and to the conditions for reliance on those exemptions, from registration as a commodity pool operator. Under amendments to the exemption provided under CFTC Regulation 4.5, if a Fund uses futures, options on futures, or swaps other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums on these positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options that are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase are “in-the-money”) may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s net asset value, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those positions may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s net asset value (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The Funds intend to comply with amended Regulation 4.5’s requirements. In the future, if a Fund’s use of futures, options as futures, or swaps requires the Investment Manager to register as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC, the Investment Manager will do so at that time. Registration by the Investment Manager as a commodity pool operator would subject a Fund to dual regulation by the CFTC and SEC in accordance with rules that have not yet been finalized that are intended to “harmonize” compliance obligations of the two different regulatory regimes.
Inverse Floaters.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in municipal securities the interest rates of which bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index (“Inverse Floaters”). An investment in Inverse Floaters may involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate bond. Because changes in the interest rate on the other security or index inversely affect the residual interest paid on the Inverse Floater, the value and income of an inverse floater is generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. Inverse Floaters have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline.
Repurchase Agreements.
Each Fund as a non-principal investment strategy may engage in repurchase agreements. The Funds expect that there will be no limitation upon the maturity of the securities underlying the repurchase agreements.
Repurchase agreements, which may be viewed as a type of secured lending, typically involve the acquisition by a Fund of government securities or other securities from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the underlying security (“collateral”) at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase. The Fund will receive interest from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although such date is deemed to be the maturity date of a repurchase agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject to any limits and may exceed one year.
The Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if applicable) will enter into repurchase agreements on behalf of a Fund only with financial institutions deemed to present minimal risk of bankruptcy during the term of the agreement based on guidelines established and periodically reviewed by the Board. These guidelines currently permit the Funds to enter into repurchase agreements with any bank the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) may recommend if it determines such bank to be creditworthy. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security. Repurchase agreements entered into by the Funds will provide that the underlying security at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the price stated in the agreement. This underlying security will be marked-to-market daily. The Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) will monitor compliance with this requirement.
Under all repurchase agreements entered into by the Funds, the Custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. However, if the seller defaults, the Funds could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent the proceeds of the sale are less than the resale price. In addition, even though the Bankruptcy Code provides protection for most repurchase agreements, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, the Funds may incur delays and costs in selling the security and may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the Funds are treated as unsecured creditors.
None of these Funds, as a policy, will invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by the Fund, amount to more than 10% of its total assets. Investments in repurchase agreements may at times be substantial when, in the view of the Investment Manager or relevant Sub-Adviser, as applicable, liquidity or other considerations warrant.
Lending of Portfolio Securities.
As a non-principal investment strategy, each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in order to generate additional income. Such loans may be made to broker-dealers or other financial institutions whose creditworthiness is acceptable to the Investment Manager on behalf of the Funds.
These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of a Fund.
These loans would be required to be secured continuously by collateral, including cash, cash equivalents, irrevocable letters of credit, Government securities, or other high-grade liquid debt securities, maintained on a current basis (
i.e.
, marked-to-market daily) at an amount at least equal to 100% of the market value of the securities loaned plus accrued interest. A Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. Loans are subject to termination at the option of a Fund or the borrower at any time. Upon such termination, that Fund is entitled to obtain the return of the securities loaned as promptly as practicable.
For the duration of the loan, a Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will receive proceeds from the investment of the collateral. Although the Funds do not have the right to vote securities on loan, the Funds will have the ability to recall such securities in order to exercise voting rights with respect to those securities. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even losses of rights in the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to borrowers deemed by the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) to be creditworthy, and when, in the judgment of the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any), the income which can be earned currently from such loans justifies the attendant risk.
Standby Commitments and Put Transactions.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy engage in standby commitments and put transactions. The Investment Manager and each Sub-Adviser has the authority to purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when these Funds can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer, or a third party (the “writer”) at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a “standby commitment” or a “put.” The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit these Funds to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities.
The right to put the securities depends on the writer’s ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. The Funds will limit their put transactions to institutions which the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) believes present minimum credit risks, and the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) will use its best efforts to initially determine and continue to monitor the financial strength of the sellers of the puts by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however, be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers because adequate current financial information may not be available. If any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, the investing Fund would be a general creditor (
i.e.
, on a parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between the Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities under certain circumstances (
e.g.
, provisions excusing the writer from repurchasing securities if there is a change in the published rating of the underlying securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer’s credit, or provisions that puts will not be exercised except in certain special cases, such as to maintain portfolio liquidity). The Fund could, however, at any time sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security.
The securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Therefore, the put would have value only to the Fund. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put, the Fund could seek to negotiate terms for its extension. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to the Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put.
Bank Obligations.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in all types of bank obligations, including bank notes, bank loans, bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, and interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Bank notes are unsecured promissory notes representing debt obligations that are issued by banks in large denominations. Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by commercial banks. Bankers’ acceptances are issued by corporations to finance the shipment and storage of goods. Maturities are generally six months or less. A certificate of deposit (a “CD”) is an interest-bearing instrument with a specific maturity. CDs are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Certificates of deposit and time deposits with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.
U.S. commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). U.S. banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities, but are members of the Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. Most state banks are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to a fund, depending upon the principal amount of CDs of each held by the fund) and are subject to the federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation. As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, U.S. branches of U.S. banks are, among other things, generally required to maintain specified levels of reserves, and are subject to other supervision and regulation designed to promote financial soundness.
Obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks, such as CDs and time deposits, may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and governmental regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than are those of U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks. These risks include foreign economic and political developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange controls and foreign withholding and other taxes on interest income. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign branches of foreign banks are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory requirements that apply to U.S. banks, such as mandatory reserve requirements, loan limitations and accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or about a foreign bank than about a U.S. bank.
Obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank, in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state regulation as well as governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office. A U.S. branch of a foreign bank with assets in excess of $1 billion may or may not be subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System or by the state in which the branch is located if the branch is licensed in that state. In addition, branches licensed by the Comptroller of the Currency and branches licensed by certain states (“State Branches”) may or may not be required to: (a) pledge to the regulator, by depositing assets with a designated bank within the state; and (b) maintain assets within the state in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate amount of liabilities of the foreign bank payable at or through all of its agencies or branches within the state. The deposits of State Branches may not necessarily be insured by the FDIC. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a U.S. branch of a foreign bank than about a U.S. bank.
The purchase and sale of bank loans are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying credit agreements, which may substantially limit the number of purchasers that may be eligible to purchase such bank loans. Bank loans are not traded on an exchange and purchasers and sellers of bank loans generally rely on market makers, typically the administrative agent under a bank loan, to effect private sales transactions. As a result of these limitations, the bank loans may have relatively less liquidity than other types of fixed income assets, and a Fund may be more likely to incur losses on the sale of bank loans than on other, more liquid, investments.
Collateralized Debt Obligations.
Each Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which are securitized interests in pools of assets. Assets called collateral usually comprise loans or debt instruments. A CDO may be called a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) or collateralized bond obligation (“CBO”) if it holds only loans or bonds, respectively. Investors bear the credit risk of the collateral. Multiple tranches of securities are issued by the CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics. Tranches are categorized as senior, mezzanine, and subordinated/equity, according to their degree of credit risk. If there are defaults or the CDO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/equity tranches. Senior and mezzanine tranches are typically rated, with the former receiving ratings of A to AAA/Aaa and the latter receiving ratings of B to BBB/Baa. The ratings reflect both the credit quality of underlying collateral as well as how much protection a given tranche is afforded by tranches that are subordinate to it.
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit and Foreign Securities.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund, Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund may as a non-principal investment strategy invest in Eurodollar certificates of deposit and foreign securities as a non-principal investment strategy. Before investing in Eurodollar certificates of deposit, the Investment Manager will consider their marketability, possible restrictions on international currency transactions, and any regulations imposed by the domicile country of the foreign issuer. Eurodollar certificates of deposit may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks, and associated income may be subject to the imposition of foreign taxes, including withholding taxes.
Investments in securities of foreign issuers or securities principally traded overseas may involve certain special risks due to foreign economic, political, and legal developments, as described above. All such securities will be U.S. Dollar denominated.
U.S. Government Agency and Instrumentality Obligations.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund and the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and all other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in U.S. Government agency and instrumentality obligations. Various agencies of the U.S. Government issue obligations, including but not limited to the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Export/Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Housing Administration, Ginnie Mae, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Funds may purchase securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae which represent participation in Veterans Administration and Federal Housing Administration backed mortgage pools. Obligations of instrumentalities of the U.S. Government include securities issued by, among others, FHLB, Freddie Mac, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Fannie Mae and the U.S. Postal Service. These obligations include securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (
i.e.
, Ginnie Mae), securities supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (
e.g.,
the Federal Home Loan Banks), securities supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency (such as securities issued by Fannie Mae), and securities supported only by the credit of the instrumentality (such as securities issued by Freddie Mac).
U.S. government securities include issues by non-governmental entities (like financial institutions) that carry direct guarantees from U.S. government agencies as part of government initiatives in response to market crises or otherwise. In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the Unites States, a Fund must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteed the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. No government agencies or instrumentalities guarantees the market value of the securities it issues, and the market value such securities will fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing the value of the obligation prior to maturity.
U.S. Treasury Obligations.
The Intermediate Fixed Income Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and all other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in U.S. Treasury obligations, which consist of bills (maturity of one year or less), notes (maturity of one to ten years) and bonds (maturities generally greater than ten years) issued by the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. government does not guarantee the market value of Treasury securities, which fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. The Funds may also invest in separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations, known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”), that are transferable through the federal book-entry system. STRIPS are sold as zero coupon securities, which means that they are sold at a substantial discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. This discount is accreted over the life of the security, and such accretion will constitute the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, such securities may be subject to greater interest rate volatility than interest paying investments.
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. These investments involve the purchase of debt obligations on a when-issued basis, in which case delivery and payment normally take place within 45 days after the date of commitment to purchase. These securities are subject to market fluctuation due to changes in market interest rates, and it is possible that the market value at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if the general level of interest rates has changed; in that case there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. Delivery of and payment for these securities may occur a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. Each Fund will maintain with the custodian a separate account with liquid securities or cash in an amount at least equal to these commitments. The interest rate realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase date, and no interest accrues to these Funds before settlement. Although the Funds generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of actually acquiring securities for their portfolios, the Funds may dispose of a when-issued security or forward commitment prior to settlement if the Investment Manager (or Sub-Adviser, if any) deems it appropriate to do so. Because a Fund’s liquidity and ability to manage its portfolio holdings might be affected when it sets aside cash or portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments, the Investment Manager and each Sub-Adviser, as applicable, expects that commitments to purchase when-issued securities and forward commitments will not exceed 10% of the value of a Fund’s total assets absent unusual market conditions.
Credit Linked Notes.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in credit linked notes (“CLNs”), which are a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity (the “Note Issuer”) issues a structured note that is in general intended to replicate a single bond, a portfolio of bonds, or with respect to the unsecured credit of an issuer (the “Reference Instrument”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “Note Purchaser”) invests a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to that of a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the Reference Instrument. Upon maturity of the CLN, the Note Purchaser will receive a payment equal to (i) the original par amount paid to the Note Issuer, if there is neither a designated event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to the Reference Instrument nor a restructuring of the issuer of the Reference Instrument (a “Restructuring Event”) or (ii) the value of the Reference Instrument, if an Event of Default or Restructuring Event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the Note Purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the Reference Instrument in the event of an Event of Default or a Restructuring Event. Most CLNs use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the Reference Instrument(s). However, almost any type of fixed income security (including foreign government securities) or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the Reference Instrument.
Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund (as a principal investment strategy) and the other Funds (as a non-principal investment strategy) may invest in fixed and floating rate high yield foreign sovereign debt securities. Such investments will expose a Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in countries that issue the securities. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the obligor’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds, which may further impair the obligor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts.
Borrowing Policy.
Each Fund may borrow money as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, which limit a Fund to borrowing in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. For the purpose of this investment restriction, the use of options and futures transactions and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis will not be deemed the borrowing of money. If for any reason the current value of the total assets of a Fund falls below an amount equal to three times the amount of indebtedness for money borrowed, the Fund will, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), reduce its indebtedness to the extent necessary to meet that limitation. Any borrowings under this provision will not be collateralized.
Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of a Fund’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV of a Fund will increase more when such Fund’s portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund’s portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds.
Concentration.
None of the Funds may concentrate its investments (
i.e.
, invest more than 25% of its net assets) in any particular industry or particular group of industries, except that the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in the securities of other registered investment companies or in repurchase agreements secured by obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and each Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
Securities Ratings.
Credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of securities, not their market values. The rating of an issuer is also heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. As NRSROs may fail to timely change credit ratings of securities to reflect subsequent events, the Investment Manager or Sub-Adviser will also monitor issuers of such securities.
In general, the ratings of NRSROs represent the opinions of these agencies as to the quality of securities that they rate. Such ratings, however, are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality and do not evaluate the market value risk of the securities. These ratings will be used by the funds as initial criteria for the selection of portfolio securities, but the funds also will rely upon the independent advice of the advisers to evaluate potential investments. Among the factors that will be considered are the long-term ability of the issuer to pay principal and interest and general economic trends. Appendix A to this SAI contains further information concerning the rating categories of NRSROs and their significance.
If, after purchase, the credit rating on a security is downgraded or the credit quality deteriorates, or if the maturity is extended, a fund’s portfolio managers will decide whether the security should be held or sold. Upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or defaults, the investors in a security held by a fund may become the holders of underlying assets. In that case, the fund may become the holder of securities that it could not otherwise purchase at a time when those assets may be difficult to sell or can be sold only at a loss.
Investments in Irish Subsidiary.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in life insurance policies and related interests purchased through life settlement transactions. The Fund may invest in life insurance policies directly or by investing in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of Ireland (the “Subsidiary”).
The principal purpose of investment in the Subsidiary is to allow the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund to gain exposure to life insurance policies within the limitations of the federal tax law requirements applicable to regulated investment companies. The IRS has previously issued a number of private letter rulings confirming that, in general, income derived from a fund’s offshore subsidiary would not jeopardize the fund’s ability to meet the source-of-income requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under federal tax law. The IRS is no longer issuing rulings to that effect and is reportedly reexamining its position with respect to structures of this kind. Each private letter ruling may only be relied upon by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS has never issued a private letter ruling specifically addressing an investment in an offshore subsidiary holding life insurance policies. The tax treatment of the Policies and the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund’s investments in the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could, among other things, affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and of distributions made by the Fund.
The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of Ireland and is overseen by its own board of directors. Although the Subsidiary has its own board of directors, the Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund. The Subsidiary is advised by the Investment Manager.
The Subsidiary (unlike the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund) may invest an unlimited portion of its net assets in life insurance policies. However, to the extent applicable to the investment activities of the Subsidiary, the Subsidiary otherwise is subject to the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund’s investment restrictions and other policies. The Subsidiary also may invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, cash and cash equivalents and U.S. government securities. To the extent that the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund invests in the Subsidiary, it will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which are discussed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI.
The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and the Subsidiary test for compliance with the Fund’s investment restrictions on a consolidated basis. However, unlike the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund, the Subsidiary will not seek to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.
The Subsidiary is not an investment company registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in the Prospectus and this SAI, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or Ireland could affect the ability of the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of each Fund and may not be changed without shareholder approval.
No Fund may:
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1.
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Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) through the lending of portfolio securities, or (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
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2.
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(a) Borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time except to the extent that a Fund may be permitted to do so by exemptive order, SEC release, no-action letter or similar relief or interpretations; or (b) mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets except in connection with any such borrowings described in (a).
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3.
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Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities, except that this restriction does not preclude a Fund from obtaining such short term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities.
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4.
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Purchase or sell real estate, or commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may purchase or sell currencies (including forward currency exchange contracts), futures contracts, and related options and securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs).
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5.
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Other than the Fixed Income Opportunities Fund, invest 25% or more of its net assets in the securities of companies engaged in any particular industry or particular group of industries (except securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities). The Fixed Income Opportunities Fund may not invest more than 25% of its net assets in the securities of companies engaged in any particular industry or particular group of industries provided that this restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements secured by such obligations or securities issued by other investment companies.
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6.
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Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.
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7.
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Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers except as it may be deemed an underwriter in selling a portfolio security.
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8.
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Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management.
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9.
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With respect to 75% of its total assets (50% for the Emerging Markets Fund), invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of a single issuer or hold more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer, except that this restriction does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
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The foregoing percentages (other than the limitation on borrowing) will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs immediately after or as a result of a purchase of such security. Up to one-third of a Fund’s total assets may be pledged to secure permitted borrowings by the Fund.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
The following policies of each Fund are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without a vote of shareholders.
No Fund may:
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1.
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Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
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2.
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Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which are not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity.
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3.
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Make any change in a Fund’s investment policies of investing at least 80% of its net assets in the investments suggested by the Fund’s name without first providing the Fund’s shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior notice.
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Each of the foregoing percentage limitations (except with respect to the limitation on investing in illiquid and not readily marketable securities) applies at the time of purchase. If, subsequent to a Fund’s purchase of an illiquid security, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets are invested in illiquid securities because of changes in valuations, the Fund will, within a reasonable time, dispose of a portion of such holding so that the above set-forth limit will not be exceeded. These limitations are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without a vote of shareholders.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and other distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the applicable Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. If cash payment is requested, checks will normally be mailed on the business day following the dividend reinvestment date. Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing, but any such change will be effective only as to dividends and other distributions for which the record date is seven or more business days after the Transfer Agent has received the written request.
Your dividends begin to accrue on the day of purchase for shares bought if purchased before 4:00 P.M. (Eastern Time). Your dividends begin to accrue on the following day for shares purchased after this cut-off time. We will not credit you with dividends for shares on the day you sell them.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal (and, where noted, state and local) income tax considerations affecting each Fund and its shareholders. The discussion is very general. Current and prospective shareholders are therefore urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in a Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
The Funds and Their Investments
Each Fund will be treated as a separate taxpayer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” or “RIC” under Subchapter M of the Code. To so qualify, a Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or 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” (
i.e.
, partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market (generally including MLPs), other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. Government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, in the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (generally including MLPs).
A Fund’s investments in partnerships, if any, including in qualified publicly traded partnerships, may result in that Fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders, provided that it satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. To satisfy the minimum distribution requirement, a Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least the sum of (i) 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for the taxable year (
i.e.
, generally, the taxable income of a RIC other than its net capital gain, plus or minus certain other adjustments), and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income for the taxable year. Each Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate tax rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.
Net short- and long-term capital losses incurred by a Fund in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 may be carried forward without limit. None of the Funds had any unused capital loss carryforwards as of July 31, 2012, because each Fund is newly offered. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to treat certain losses as though they were incurred on the first day of the taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which they were actually incurred.
If, for any taxable year, a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code or were to fail to meet the distribution requirement, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, a Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so the Fund may incur significant Fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets. If a Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period of greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on a Fund to the extent it does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for that year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending, as a general rule, on October 31 of that year. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by a Fund that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any underdistribution or overdistribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. Each Fund anticipates that it will pay such dividends and will make such distributions as are necessary in order to avoid the application of this excise tax.
A Fund’s transactions in zero coupon securities, foreign currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies), if any, will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions” and “straddles”) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (
i.e
., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, and defer Fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require a Fund to “mark-to-market” certain types of the positions in its portfolio (
i.e
., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause a Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the applicable Fund, that Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss. Each Fund will monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any zero coupon securities, foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
A Fund’s investments in so-called “section 1256 contracts,” such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indices, are subject to special tax rules. All section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” or part of a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund.
In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when a Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by a Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules would generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by a Fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by a Fund for more than one year. In general, a Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.
As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. A Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year).
A Fund may be required to treat amounts as taxable income or gain, subject to the distribution requirements referred to above, even though no corresponding amounts of cash are received concurrently, as a result of (1) mark-to-market rules, constructive sale rules or rules applicable to PFICs (as defined below) or partnerships or trusts in which the Fund invests or to certain options, futures or forward contracts, or “appreciated financial positions” or (2) the inability to obtain cash distributions or other amounts due to currency controls or restrictions on repatriation imposed by a foreign country with respect to the Fund’s investments (including through depositary receipts) in issuers in such country or (3) tax rules applicable to debt obligations acquired with “original issue discount,” including zero-coupon or deferred payment bonds and pay-in-kind debt obligations, or to market discount if an election is made with respect to such market discount. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the applicable Fund, that Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss. A Fund might also meet the distribution requirements by borrowing the necessary cash, thereby incurring interest expenses.
To the extent that a Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. A cash distribution from a partnership is not itself taxable to the extent it does not exceed the distributee partner’s basis in its partnership interest and is treated as capital gain to the extent any cash (or, in certain cases, marketable securities) distributed to a partner exceeds the partner’s basis (see description below as to how an MLP investor’s basis is calculated) in the partnership. Accordingly, the Fund will be required to take into account the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses, deductions, expenses and credits recognized by each such MLP, regardless of whether the MLP distributes cash to the Fund. MLP distributions to partners are not taxable unless the cash amount (or, in certain cases, the fair market value of marketable securities) distributed exceeds the distributee partner’s basis in its MLP interest. The Fund expects that the cash distributions it will receive with respect to its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the net taxable income allocated to the Fund from such MLPs because of tax deductions such as depreciation, amortization and depletion that will be allocated to the Fund from the MLPs. No assurance, however, can be given in this regard.
Additionally, depreciation or other cost recovery deductions passed through to the Fund from investments in MLPs in a given year will generally reduce the Fund’s taxable income, but those deductions may be recaptured in the Fund’s income in one or more subsequent years. When recognized and distributed, recapture income will generally be taxable to shareholders at the time of the distribution at ordinary income tax rates, even though those shareholders might not have held shares in the Fund at the time the deductions were taken by the Fund, and even though those shareholders will not have corresponding economic gain on their shares at the time of recapture. In order to distribute recapture income or to fund redemption requests, the Fund may need to liquidate investments, which may lead to additional recapture income.
Foreign Investments
Dividends or other income (including, in some cases, capital gains) received by a Fund from investments in foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, which for this purpose may include obligations of foreign governmental issuers, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign income or withholding taxes paid by the Fund as paid by its shareholders. For any year that a Fund is eligible for and makes such an election, each shareholder of the Fund will be required to include in its income an amount equal to his or her allocable share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, and shareholders will be entitled, subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations, to credit their portions of these amounts against their United States federal income tax due, if any, or to deduct their portions from their United States taxable income, if any. No deductions for foreign taxes paid by such Fund may be claimed, however, by non-corporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. Shareholders that are exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, such as certain pension plans, generally will derive no benefit from this election.
Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options or futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
If a Fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities, called “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”), and does not make certain elections, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.
If a Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund would generally be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the applicable Fund, that Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss. In order to make the “qualified electing fund” election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.
If a Fund were to invest in a PFIC and make a mark-to-market election, the Fund would be treated as if it had sold and repurchased all of the PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. Such an election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by a Fund and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years of the Fund, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). By making the election, a Fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year might be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The Fund might have to distribute such excess income and gain to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for treatment as a regulated investment company and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the applicable Fund, that Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss.
Investments in Other Regulated Investment Companies
To the extent that a Fund invests in other regulated investment companies, it will not be able to offset losses incurred by an underlying fund in which it invests against gains that it realizes, either directly or as distributions, from other underlying funds. Such a Fund will be able to recognize losses with respect to underlying funds only at the time that it redeems shares in such underlying funds. Short-term capital gains earned by an underlying fund will be treated as ordinary dividends when distributed to a Fund and therefore will not be offset by capital losses incurred by the Fund on other investments. This may result in more ordinary dividends for shareholders and/or a shifting of capital gain dividends to ordinary dividends as compared to the dividends that would have been paid if the Fund had invested directly in the securities held by the underlying fund.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
Dividends and other distributions by a Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, if any dividend or distribution is declared by a Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but is actually paid during the following January, such dividend or distribution will be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). If, however, a Fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the Fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s income. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.
Dividends of taxable net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income, whether paid in cash or in shares. Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that a Fund reports as capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares, and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. Such distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Although some of the Funds may invest in municipal or other tax-exempt securities, none of the Funds expects to meet the requirements under the Code to be able to distribute exempt-interest dividends to shareholders. Accordingly, any tax-exempt interest income received by a Fund will be distributed to shareholders as a taxable dividend.
Dividends and distributions from a Fund will generally be taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.
Special rules apply to certain
dividends that are reported by a Fund as “qualified dividend income.” Such dividends are subject to tax for non-corporate shareholders at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that the shareholder satisfies certain holding period and other requirements. Qualified dividend income is not actually treated as capital gain, however, and thus generally cannot be offset by capital losses. The portion of dividends eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income will be: (i) 100% of the dividends paid by a Fund in a particular taxable year if 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) in that taxable year is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund; or (ii) the portion of the dividends paid by a Fund in a particular taxable year that is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund in that taxable year if such qualified dividend income accounts for less than 95% of the Fund’s gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) for that taxable year. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by a Fund from U.S. corporations and qualified foreign corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations and has not hedged its position in the stock in certain ways. Qualified foreign corporations are foreign corporations that are incorporated in a possession of the U.S. or that are eligible for benefits under certain U.S. income tax treaties. Certain other dividends received from foreign corporations will be treated as qualified dividends if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. Qualified dividend income does not include any dividends received from tax-exempt corporations. Also, dividends received by the Fund from a REIT or from another RIC generally are qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or RIC. In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividend income. If a shareholder elects to treat Fund dividends as investment income for purposes of the limitation on the deductibility of investment interest, such dividends will not be qualified dividend income.
If an individual receives a dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gains rates that constitutes an “extraordinary dividend” and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend for this purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.
Dividends paid by the Fund that are attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations may qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.
If a Fund is the holder of record of any stock on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such stock, such dividends will be included in the Fund’s gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (a) the date such stock became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends (
i.e.
, the date on which a buyer of the stock would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends) or (b) the date the Fund acquired such stock. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, a Fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds his or her shares of the Fund as capital assets). Shareholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the shareholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them.
Sales of Shares
Upon the sale or exchange of his or her shares, a shareholder will generally recognize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his or her basis in the shares. A redemption of shares by a Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or fewer will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder (including amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares.
If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of a Fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then acquires, before February 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the disposition, shares in a mutual fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right (
e.g.
, an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken into account in computing gain or loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis in the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents a shareholder from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting his or her investment within a family of mutual funds.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Backup Withholding
A Fund may be required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding on dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding rate is currently 28%. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liabilities. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have already been subject to the 30% withholding tax described below under “Non-U.S. Shareholders.”
Notices
Shareholders will receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of a Fund’s taxable year regarding the U.S. federal income tax status of certain dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the Fund to its shareholders during the preceding taxable year.
For sales or exchanges of shares acquired (including through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions) on or after January 1, 2012, each Fund will report to shareholders and the IRS the cost basis and holding period of the shares and the amount of gain or loss on the sale or exchange. If a shareholder has a different basis for different shares of the Fund in the same account (
e.g.
, if a shareholder purchased Fund shares in the same account at different prices per share), the Fund will calculate the basis of the shares sold using its default method unless the shareholder has properly elected to use a different method. For purposes of calculating and reporting basis, shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, are treated as held in a separate account from shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012.
Each Fund’s default method for calculating basis will be specific lot identification using the “first-in, first-out” (“FIFO”) method. Subject to certain limitations, a shareholder may choose a method other than the default method at the time of shares are sold or exchanged. Shareholders should contact
us at
1-800-445-1341
for information regarding available methods of basis computation and procedures for electing a method other than the default method. Shareholders should contact their own tax advisers concerning the consequences of applying the default method or choosing another method of basis calculation.
Shares of all Funds are offered through approved broker dealers or other financial institutions (each an “Authorized Institution”). If you own shares of a Fund through an Authorized Institution, your Authorized Institution is responsible for maintaining your individual account records and calculating your cost basis based upon their default method. Please note your Authorized Institution’s default method may differ from that of the Funds, and you should contact it directly with any questions regarding your account or general cost basis inquiries.
Other Taxes
Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Ordinary dividends and certain other payments made by a Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
The 30% withholding tax generally will not apply to distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses or to redemption proceeds.
For Fund taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, the 30% withholding tax also will not apply to dividends that a Fund reports as (a) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from a Fund’s “qualified net interest income,” or (b) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extend such dividends are derived from a Fund’s “qualified short-term gain.” “Qualified net interest income” is a Fund’s net income derived from U.S.-source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. “Qualified short-term gain” generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of a Fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to tis non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form).
Distributions payable after December 31, 2013 (or, in certain cases, after later dates), and redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable after December 31, 2016, to a shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471 will generally be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate notwithstanding the status of any such amounts as capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends or interest-related dividends. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. Distributions payable after December 31, 2013 (or, in certain cases, after later dates) and redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable after December 31, 2016, to a non-U.S. shareholder that is not a foreign financial institution will generally be subject to such withholding tax if the shareholder fails to make certain required certifications. The extent, if any, to which such withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty is unclear.
General
The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences (and, where noted, state and local tax consequences) affecting the Funds and their shareholders. Prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.