REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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[x]
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Pre-Effective Amendment No.
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[ ]
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 34
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[x]
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and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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[x]
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Amendment No. 36
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James W. Giangrasso
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Copy to:
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Jana Manes, Esq.
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The Needham Funds, Inc.
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Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
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445 Park Avenue
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180 Maiden Lane
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New York, New York 10022
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New York, NY 10038
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[ ]
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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[ x ]
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on May 1, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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[ ]
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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[ ]
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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[ ]
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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[ ]
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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Ticker
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Fund
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Symbol
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NEEDHAM GROWTH FUND
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NEEGX
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NEEDHAM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
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NEAGX
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NEEDHAM SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
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NESGX
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Page
No.
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Summary Section
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1
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1
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11
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12
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12
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12
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12
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12
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13
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13
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14
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15
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18
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Principal Investment Strategies - All Funds | 18 |
Other Investment Strategies - All Funds | 19 |
19
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20
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20
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21
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21
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22
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22
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23
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How to Purchase Shares | 24 |
25
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25
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25
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26
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26
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How to Redeem Shares | 26 |
27
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28
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29
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29
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30
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30
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Additional Information | 30 |
30
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32
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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None
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|||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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None
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|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
|
||||
Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions
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None
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|||
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed) on Shares Held 60 Days or Less
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2.00 |
%
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||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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||||
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
||||
Management Fees
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1.25 |
%
|
||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25 |
%
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||
Other Expenses
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||||
Dividends on Short Positions and Interest Expense
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0.04 |
%
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All Remaining Other Expenses
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0.30 |
%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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1.84 |
%
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||
1 Year
|
3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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$187
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$579
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$995
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$2,159
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1
Year
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5
Years
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10
Years
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Life of Fund
(Since 1/1/96)
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Return Before Taxes
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8.98%
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14.14%
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8.98%
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14.00%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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7.34%
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13.25%
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8.17%
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12.77%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
and Redemption
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6.41%
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11.42%
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7.38%
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11.93%
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Comparative Indices
(reflect no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
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||||
S&P 500 Index
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13.69%
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15.45%
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7.67%
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8.56%
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NASDAQ Composite Index
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14.83%
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17.30%
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9.27%
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9.11%
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S&P 400 MidCap Index
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9.77%
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16.54%
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9.71%
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11.98%
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Russell 2000 Index
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4.89%
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15.55%
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7.77%
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8.72%
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
None
|
|||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
None
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
|
||||
Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions
|
None
|
|||
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed) on Shares Held 60 Days or Less
|
2.00 | % | ||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
||||
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
||||
Management Fees
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1.25 | % | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25 | % | ||
Other Expenses
|
||||
Dividends on Short Positions and Interest Expense
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0.18 | % | ||
All Remaining Other Expenses
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0.41 | % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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2.0 9 | % |
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
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10 Years
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$212
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$655
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$1,124
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$2,421
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1
Year
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5
Years
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10
Years
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Life of Fund
(Since 9/4/01)
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Return Before Taxes
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7.13%
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15.01%
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10.52%
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10.04%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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6.37%
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14.75%
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9.83%
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9.45%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption
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4.64%
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12.10%
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8.60%
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8.34%
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Comparative Indices
(reflect no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
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||||
S&P 500 Index
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13.69%
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15.45%
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7.67%
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6.69%
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NASDAQ Composite Index
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14.83%
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17.30%
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9.27%
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8.60%
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Russell 2000 Index
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4.89%
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15.55%
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7.77%
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8.80%
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Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
None
|
||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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None
|
||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
|
|||
Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions
|
None
|
||
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed) on Shares Held 60 Days or Less
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2.00
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%
|
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|||
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|||
Management Fees
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1.25
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%
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25
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%
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Other Expenses
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|||
Dividends on Short Positions and Interest Expense
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0.06
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%
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All Remaining Other Expenses
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0.55
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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2.11
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%
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Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (or Recoupment)
(a)
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-0.10
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (or Recoupment)
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2.01
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%
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(a)
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Reflects a contractual agreement by Needham Investment Management LLC (the “Adviser”) to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Small Cap Growth Fund through April 30, 2016 to the extent Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.95% of the average daily net assets of the Small Cap Growth Fund. For a period of up to 36 months from the time of any waiver or reimbursement pursuant to this agreement, the Adviser may recoup from the Small Cap Growth Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed to the extent that such recovery would not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of the Small Cap Growth Fund to exceed 1.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund, but any such recovery will not include interest. All limitations on Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses are exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage, dividends on short positions, fees and expenses of “acquired funds” and extraordinary items, and excluding shareholder redemption fees but including the management fee.
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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$204
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$651
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$1,125
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$2,434
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Life of Fund
(Since 5/22/02)
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Return Before Taxes
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0.80%
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9.95%
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6.54%
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10.45%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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-1.86%
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9.07%
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5.09%
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9.25%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption
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2.55%
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7.94%
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5.28%
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8.82%
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Comparative Indices
(reflect no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
||||
S&P 500 Index
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13.69%
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15.45%
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7.67%
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7.36%
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NASDAQ Composite Index
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14.83%
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17.30%
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9.27%
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9.79%
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Russell 2000 Index
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4.89%
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15.55%
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7.77%
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8.75%
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·
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Long-Term Value.
In the short term, equity markets often incorrectly value stocks. Good companies are often undervalued based on short-term factors such as a disappointing quarter that is not representative of the strength of the business, undue general or industry-specific pessimism, institutions wishing to exit a large position in the stock or a lack of knowledge and support for the stock. The Growth Fund believes that these undervalued situations represent buying opportunities and that real underlying value does eventually assert itself.
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·
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Strong Growth Potential.
The Growth Fund invests in companies that are likely to be beneficiaries of long-lasting economic trends resulting from fundamental technological change. The Growth Fund also considers management’s ownership of the company’s stock and what appropriate stock option plans are in place to incentivize all levels of management at the company.
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·
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Strong, Incentivized Management Team.
The Growth Fund focuses on the quality of a company’s management team because it believes that management is the most critical element in determining the success of a business.
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·
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High Operating Margins.
The Growth Fund concentrates on industries or companies with the potential to deliver strong profits, not just high revenue growth. The Growth Fund focuses on companies with the potential for high profit margins and strong cash generation. Often, high margins are a sign that a company’s products and services have a high perceived value to its customers. High operating margins are also often indicative of companies with strong execution capabilities and provide companies with the financial flexibility to invest for future growth.
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·
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Strong Growth Potential.
The Aggressive Growth Fund seeks markets and industries with strong growth potential. Finding the areas with the greatest unmet needs leads one to the companies attempting to satisfy those needs, and often delivers strong growth opportunities. The Aggressive Growth Fund concentrates on market and industry niche opportunities with large, multi-year growth prospects.
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·
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Market Leaders.
The Aggressive Growth Fund focuses on the leaders in these growth markets which often garner a disproportionate share of the positive financial returns. The Aggressive Growth Fund seeks to identify these leaders as they are emerging or re-emerging and before they are widely recognized. At times, this may require investing in private companies in various stages of development, subject to the investment restrictions set forth in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information. In selecting private companies for initial or continued inclusion in the Aggressive Growth Fund, the Fund employs the same investment strategies and standards used when selecting a publicly-held company.
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·
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High Operating Margins.
The Aggressive Growth Fund concentrates on industries or companies with the potential to deliver strong profits, not just high revenue growth. The Aggressive Growth Fund focuses on companies with the potential for high profit margins and strong cash generation. Often, high margins are a sign that a company’s products and services have a high perceived value to its customers. High operating margins are also often indicative of companies with strong execution capabilities and provide companies with the financial flexibility to invest for future growth.
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·
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Long-Term, Sustainable Growth.
The Aggressive Growth Fund will focus on the sustainability of strong growth, not just the absolute rate of change. The Aggressive Growth Fund considers the best growth stocks to be those that can sustain strong growth over long periods of time. Many companies can grow rapidly over short periods of time; far fewer have the resources, positioning and execution abilities to deliver superior growth records over time.
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·
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Companies Addressing Unmet Needs.
The Aggressive Growth Fund will invest in a company in any industry or geographic market where it believes that the company’s new or differentiated product or service is addressing a substantially unmet need. Most high growth companies are in high growth markets, but others arise in mature sectors of the economy where new products and services, particularly those that are technologically driven, present new growth opportunities. The Aggressive Growth Fund seeks to diversify among industries to moderate risk but will not do so at the expense of limiting growth opportunities.
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·
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Strong Management Strategy and Performance.
Quality of management and balance sheets will play key roles in the Aggressive Growth Fund’s investment decision process. A key part of sustainability is having the managerial and financial resources to fund strong growth. Balance sheet trends are also an important indicator as to the health of a business. Beyond a management’s historical performance record, the Aggressive Growth Fund focuses on the overall strategic vision and tactical decisions in assessing a company’s growth potential.
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·
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Strong, Incentivized Management Team.
The Small Cap Growth Fund focuses, above all, on the quality and capability of a company’s management team because it believes that management is the most critical element in determining the success of a business. The Small Cap Growth Fund also focuses on management’s ownership of the company’s stock and what appropriate stock option plans are in place to incentivize all levels of management at the company.
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·
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No Financial Leverage.
The Small Cap Growth Fund strongly prefers companies that take risks in their business and not on their balance sheet. The Small Cap Growth Fund prefers to invest in small cap companies that are debt free. The Small Cap Growth Fund believes that financing availability for small cap companies is so limited that to add leverage to the balance sheet is both unwise and unacceptable.
|
·
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Coherent, Well-Thought-Out Strategy.
The Small Cap Growth Fund seeks companies that have well-defined plans to penetrate their markets and to grow their businesses. The company’s management must be able to articulate that strategy to its shareholders and the investment community.
|
·
|
Strong, Long-Term Growth Potential.
The Small Cap Growth Fund seeks markets and industries with strong growth potential. Finding the areas with the greatest unmet needs leads one to the companies attempting to satisfy those needs, and often delivers strong growth opportunities. The Small Cap Growth Fund concentrates on market and industry niche opportunities with large, multi-year growth prospects.
|
·
|
Market Leaders.
The Small Cap Growth Fund focuses on the leaders in these growth markets which often garner a disproportionate share of the positive financial returns. The Small Cap Growth Fund seeks to identify these leaders as they are emerging or re-emerging and before they are widely recognized. At times, this may require investing in private companies in various stages of development, subject to the investment restrictions set forth in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information. In selecting private companies for initial or continued inclusion in the Small Cap Growth Fund, the Fund employs the same investment strategies and standards used when selecting a publicly-held company.
|
·
|
High Operating Margins.
The Small Cap Growth Fund concentrates on industries or companies with the potential to deliver strong profits, not just high revenue growth. The Small Cap Growth Fund focuses on companies with the potential for high profit margins and strong cash generation. Often, high margins are a sign that a company’s products and services have a high perceived value to its customers. High operating margins are also often indicative of companies with strong execution capabilities and provide companies with the financial flexibility to invest for future growth
.
|
·
|
Companies Addressing Unmet Needs.
The Small Cap Growth Fund invests in companies that are developing new or differentiated products or services to address a substantially unmet need. Some high growth companies arise in mature sectors of the economy where new products and services, particularly those that are technologically driven, present new growth opportunities. The Small Cap Growth Fund seeks to diversify among industries to moderate risk but will not do so at the expense of limiting growth opportunities.
|
·
|
Fundamental Company and Market Analysis.
The Funds rely foremost on fundamental company and market analysis and secondarily on macroeconomic analysis, including trends in gross domestic product (“GDP”), interest rates and inflation, to arrive at investment decisions. The Funds put a premium on in-depth company and industry analysis. The Fund managers intend to visit with company managements frequently, attend trade shows and other industry conferences and develop other sources of independent insight. The Funds track key economic and political events as they affect the relative attractiveness and growth prospects of the portfolio companies. However, given the uneven history of economic forecasting and the fact that many of the best growth companies can continue to grow even in a challenging economic environment, the Funds will rely foremost on finding the best positioned companies and not on market-timing.
|
·
|
Disciplined Approach to Valuation.
The Funds seek to enhance shareholder returns with a disciplined approach to valuations, both relative and absolute. Since the markets’ valuations fluctuate due to many factors, including economic and political uncertainties, inflation perceptions and competition from other asset classes, the Funds look to value stocks both relative to the market and relative to other growth companies, seeking to pay the least for the most amount of sustainable growth. While growth stocks have generally carried high relative valuations to the market, even the best growth companies can become overvalued. The Funds will seek to find growth stocks typically trading at a discount, not a premium, to the market. However, the Funds intend to sell any holding if the absolute level of valuation, in their opinion, outstrips the growth potential of that company.
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·
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Issuer Concentration and Focus on Particular Market Sectors.
Although the Funds are classified as “diversified” under the 1940 Act, the Funds may invest their assets in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified, funds. To the extent the Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in a few issuers’ securities, the performance of the Funds could be significantly affected by the performance of those issuers. As a fundamental policy, each Fund will not invest more than 25% of its net assets in issuers conducting their principal business in the same industry. See Statement of Additional Information — “Investment Restrictions.” However, each Fund at times may invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in one or more market sectors, including the technology and healthcare sectors. A market sector may be made up of companies in a number of related industries.
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·
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Defensive Positions.
Each Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, investment grade debt securities or repurchase agreements for defensive purposes. Consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives and policies, the investment adviser may make changes to the Funds whenever it considers market, economic or political conditions to be unfavorable for profitable investing or it believes that doing so is in the best interest of the Funds. To the extent a Fund takes a defensive position, it may not achieve its investment objective.
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·
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Short Selling.
The Funds may engage in short sales. In a short sale of a security, a Fund sells stock which it does not own, making delivery with securities borrowed from a broker. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The Funds may make a profit or loss depending upon whether the market price of the security decreases or increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Funds replace the borrowed security.
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(1)
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automatic reinvestment of capital gain distributions in Fund shares and payment of dividends in cash;
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(2)
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payment of all distributions and dividends in cash; or
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(3)
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payment of capital gains distributions in cash and automatic reinvestment of dividends in Fund shares.
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Needham Growth Fund
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|||||||||
Year Ended December 31 ,
|
|||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
|||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$45.06
|
$33.66
|
$32.78
|
$39.11
|
$29.77
|
||||
Investment Operations
|
|||||||||
Net Investment Loss
|
(0.58)
|
(0.54)
|
(0.24)
|
(0.58)
|
(0.60)
|
||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
(Loss) on Investments
|
4.59
|
12.20
|
4.31
|
(3.79)
|
9.94
|
||||
Total from Investment Operations
|
4.01
|
11.66
|
4.07
|
(4.37)
|
9.34
|
||||
Less Distributions
|
|||||||||
Net Realized Gains
|
(3.07)
|
(0.26)
|
(3.19)
|
(1.97)
|
—
|
||||
Total Distributions
|
(3.07)
|
(0.26)
|
(3.19)
|
(1.97)
|
—
|
||||
Capital Contributions
|
|||||||||
Redemption Fees
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
0.01
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Total Capital Contributions
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
0.01
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$46.00
|
$45.06
|
$33.66
|
$32.78
|
$39.11
|
||||
Total Return
|
8.98%
|
34.68%
|
12.80%
|
(10.94)%
|
31.37%
|
||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)
|
$147,816
|
$141,693
|
$113,561
|
$125,966
|
$159,805
|
||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|||||||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
1.84%
|
1.89%
|
1.94%
|
1.81%
|
2.11%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
(before interest and dividend expense)
|
1.80%
|
1.82%
|
1.82%
|
1.78%
|
2.00%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
(before waiver and reimbursement of expenses)
|
1.84%
|
1.89%
|
1.94%
|
1.81%
|
2.11%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
|
(1.32)%
|
(1.30)%
|
(0.65)%
|
(1.41)%
|
(1.85)%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets (before waivers and
reimbursements of expenses)
|
(1.32)%
|
(1.30)%
|
(0.65)%
|
(1.41)%
|
(1.85)%
|
||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
12%
|
12%
|
17%
|
29%
|
62%
|
Needham Aggressive Growth Fund
|
|||||||||
Year Ended December 31 ,
|
|||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
|||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$22.66
|
$16.63
|
$14.52
|
$17.14
|
$12.38
|
||||
Investment Operations
|
|||||||||
Net Investment Loss
|
(0.38)
|
(0.37)
|
(0.29)
|
(0.34)
|
(0.11)
|
||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
|
|||||||||
(Loss) on Investments
|
1.98
|
6.40
|
2.41
|
(2.04)
|
4.98
|
||||
Total From Investment Operations
|
1.60
|
6.03
|
2.12
|
(2.38)
|
4.87
|
||||
Less Distributions
|
|||||||||
Net Realized Gains
|
(0.71)
|
—
|
(0.01)
|
(0.25)
|
(0.11)
|
||||
Total Distributions
|
(0.71)
|
—
|
(0.01)
|
(0.25)
|
(0.11)
|
||||
Capital Contributions
|
|||||||||
Redemption Fees
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
0.01
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Total Capital Contributions
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
0.01
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$23.55
|
$22.66
|
$16.63
|
$14.52
|
$17.14
|
||||
Total Return
|
7.13%
|
36.26%
|
14.61%
|
(13.77)%
|
39.42%
|
||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)
|
$62,353
|
$68,459
|
$66,746
|
$90,170
|
$106,551
|
||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|||||||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
2.09%
|
2.07%
|
2.06%
|
1.83%
|
2.09%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|||||||||
(before interest and dividend expense)
|
1.91%
|
1.91%
|
1.89%
|
1.80%
|
2.05%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
2.09%
|
2.07%
|
2.06%
|
1.83%
|
2.09%
|
||||
(before waivers and reimbursement of expenses)
|
|||||||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
|
(1.60)%
|
(1.74)%
|
(1.40)%
|
(1.62)%
|
(1.77)%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
|
(1.60)%
|
(1.74)%
|
(1.40)%
|
(1.62)%
|
(1.77)%
|
||||
(before waivers and
reimbursements of expenses)
|
|||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
19%
|
20%
|
15%
|
45%
|
55%
|
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|||||||||
Year Ended December 31 ,
|
|||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
|||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$15.63
|
$12.22
|
$11.26
|
$14.21
|
$10.73
|
||||
Investment Operations
|
|||||||||
Net Investment Loss
|
(0.24)
|
(0.31)
|
(0.15)
|
(0.27)
|
(0.08)
|
||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
|
|||||||||
(Loss) on Investments
|
0.32
|
3.72
|
1.11
|
(2.04)
|
3.99
|
||||
Total From Investment Operations
|
0.08
|
3.41
|
0.96
|
(2.31)
|
3.91
|
||||
Less Distributions
|
|||||||||
Net Realized Gains
|
(1.70)
|
—
|
—
|
(0.62)
|
(0.43)
|
||||
Return of Capital
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(0.02)
|
—
|
||||
Total Distributions
|
(1.70)
|
—
|
—
|
(0.64)
|
(0.43)
|
||||
Capital Contributions
|
|||||||||
Redemption Fees
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Total Capital Contributions
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
—
(a)
|
||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$14.01
|
$15.63
|
$12.22
|
$ 11.26
|
$14.21
|
||||
Total Return
|
0.80%
|
27.91%
|
8.53%
|
(16.10)%
|
36.89%
|
||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)
|
$32,116
|
$43,950
|
$60,614
|
$82,675
|
$98,911
|
||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|||||||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
2.01%
|
2.06%
|
2.04%
|
1.84%
|
2.16%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|||||||||
(before interest and dividend expense)
|
1.95%
|
1.96%
|
1.92%
|
1.81%
|
2.08%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets
|
|||||||||
(before waivers and reimbursement of expenses)
|
2.11%
|
2.09%
|
2.04%
|
1.84%
|
2.16%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
|
(1.49)%
|
(1.80)%
|
(1.02)%
|
(1.57)%
|
(1.88)%
|
||||
Ratio of Total Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
(before waivers and
reimbursements of expenses)
|
(1.59)%
|
(1.83)%
|
(1.02)%
|
(1.57)%
|
(1.88)%
|
||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
69%
|
58%
|
72%
|
105%
|
65%
|
Page
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
|
|||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
|
Growth Fund
|
|||
Fees Accrued by Adviser
|
$1,777,501
|
$1,644,429
|
$1,540,087
|
Fees Waived/Reimbursed
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Fees Recouped
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Net Fees Paid to Adviser
|
$1,777,501
|
$1,644,429
|
$1,540,087
|
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
|||
Fees Accrued by Adviser
|
$784,656
|
$811,425
|
$1,028,941
|
Fees Waived/Reimbursed
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Fees Recouped
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Net Fees Paid to Adviser
|
$784,656
|
$811,425
|
$1,028,941
|
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|||
Fees Accrued by Adviser
|
$463,932
|
$613,046
|
$939,559
|
Fees Waived/Reimbursed
|
$38,382
|
$12,794
|
$0
|
Fees Recouped
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Net Fees Paid to Adviser
|
$425,550
|
$600,252
|
$939,559
|
Service
|
Growth Fund
|
Aggressive
Growth Fund
|
Small Cap
Growth Fund
|
Advertising
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Printing and mailing prospectus to other than current shareholders
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Compensation to broker-dealers
|
$355,500
|
$156,931
|
$92,786
|
Compensation to underwriters
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Compensation to sales personnel
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Interest, carrying, or other financing charges
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Other
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Fund
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
Growth Fund
|
$107,795
|
$91,458
|
$84,894
|
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
$52,015
|
$48,769
|
$60,648
|
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
$32,742
|
$37,953
|
$55,357
|
Name of Portfolio Manager/Names of Funds
|
Number of Other Accounts Managed/Total Assets in Accounts ($)
|
Other Accounts with Performance-Based Fees
|
|||
Registered
Investment
Companies
|
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
|
Other
Accounts
|
Number &
Category
|
Total
Assets ($)
|
|
John O. Barr /
Growth Fund and Aggressive Growth Fund
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
N/A
|
Number of Other Accounts Managed/Total Assets in Accounts ($)
|
Other Accounts with Performance-Based Fees
|
||||
Registered
Investment
Companies
|
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
|
Other
Accounts
|
Number &
Category
|
Total
Assets ($)
|
|
Chris Retzler/
Growth Fund and Small Cap Growth Fund
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
N/A
|
Fund
|
Dollar Value of
Securities Traded
|
Related “Soft Dollar”
Brokerage Commissions
|
Growth Fund
|
$1,432,549
|
$4,901
|
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
$2,027,718
|
$6,937
|
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
$4,285,928
|
$14,662
|
Year Ended
|
Total Brokerage Commissions Paid
|
Total Brokerage Commissions Paid to the Distributor
|
|
Growth Fund
|
2014
|
$84,146
|
$18,520
|
2013
|
$109,023
|
$20,563
|
|
2012
|
$167,418
|
$23,685
|
|
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
2014
|
$96,211
|
$18,693
|
2013
|
$151,853
|
$21,834
|
|
2012
|
$239,553
|
$22,075
|
|
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
2014
|
$155,094
|
$32,830
|
2013
|
$211,483
|
$36,718
|
|
2012
|
$395,653
|
$64,607
|
Fund
|
% of Total Brokerage Commissions Paid
to the Distributor
|
% of Total Transactions Involving Commissions
Paid to the Distributor
|
Growth Fund
|
22.01%
|
38.10%
|
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
19.43%
|
19.73%
|
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
21.17%
|
31.69%
|
Name, Address and Age
|
Position with
Registrant
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
|
Principal Occupation(s)
and Other Directorships Held During
Past 5 Years
|
Interested Director
|
||||
George A. Needham
*
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 72
|
President, Chairman and Director
|
Indefinite; since
1996
|
Three
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Needham Group, Inc. and Needham Holdings, LLC since December 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer of Needham Asset Management, LLC since April 2006. Chairman of the Board from 1996 to December 2004 and Chief Executive Officer from 1985 to December 2004 of Needham & Company, LLC. Managing Member of Needham Capital Management, LLC since 2000.
|
Independent Directors
|
||||
John W. Larson
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 79
|
Director
|
Indefinite; since
2006
|
Three
|
Currently retired. Partner at the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP from 2003 until retiring in December 2009. Partner at the law firm of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP from 1969 until 2003. From 1971 to 1973 worked in government service as Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior and Counselor to George P. Schultz, Chairman of the Cost of Living Council. Director of Wage Works, Inc. (an employee benefits company) since 2000 and its Chairman since 2006. Director of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. since 1996.
|
James P. Poitras
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 73
|
Director
|
Indefinite; since
1996
|
Three
|
Currently retired. Director of F Origin (touch technology) from 2006 to 2009. Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Silicon Systems (a computer software company) from 1985 to 1995.
|
F. Randall Smith
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 76
|
Director
|
Indefinite; since
1996
|
Three
|
Founder and President of Capital Counsel LLC (a registered investment adviser) since September 1999. Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Train, Smith Counsel (a registered investment adviser) from 1975 to August 1999.
|
*
|
An “interested person”, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Funds or the Funds’ investment adviser. Mr. Needham is deemed to be an interested person because of his affiliation with the Funds’ Adviser and the Funds’ Distributor. Mr. Needham may be deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Adviser and of the Distributor.
|
Position with
Registrant
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Officer
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years
|
|
Officers
|
||||
John O. Barr
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 59
|
Executive Vice President and Co-Portfolio Manager of Needham
Growth Fund; Executive Vice President and the Portfolio Manager of Needham Aggressive Growth Fund
|
One year;
since 2010
|
Two
|
Portfolio Manager of Needham Asset Management since 2010. Founding and Managing Member of Oliver Investment Management, LLC from 2008 to 2009. Manager and Analyst at Buckingham Capital, from 2002 to 2008. From 2000 to 2002, Managing Director and a Senior Analyst at Robertson Stephens following semiconductor technology companies. From 1995 to 2000, Managing Director and Senior Analyst at Needham and Company. He also served as Director of Research. Director of Coventor, Inc. since 2009.
|
Name, Address and Age
|
Position with
Registrant
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Officer
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
|
Christopher J. Retzler
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 43
|
Executive Vice President and Co-Portfolio Manager of Needham Growth Fund; Executive Vice President and the Portfolio Manager of Needham Small Cap Growth Fund
|
One year;
since 2008
|
Two
|
Portfolio Manager of Needham Asset Management, LLC since 2008. Managing Director of Needham Asset Management, LLC since 2005. Head of Winterkorn, a healthcare manufacturing and distribution company, from 2002 to 2005.
|
James W. Giangrasso
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 52
|
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
|
One year; since
2011
|
Three
|
Chief Financial Officer of Needham Asset Management, LLC and Needham Investment Management LLC since 2011. Principal and Controller of Needham Asset Management, LLC from 2006 to 2010.
|
James M. Abbruzzese
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Age: 45
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
One year; since
2004
|
Three
|
Chief Compliance Officer of Needham Asset Management, LLC since April 2006. Chief Compliance Officer and Managing Director of Needham & Company, LLC from July, 2008 through March, 2012. Chief Administrative Officer of Needham & Co. LLC since March, 2012. Chief Compliance Officer of Needham Capital Management, LLC since 2000.
|
Director
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the Needham
Growth Fund
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Needham
Aggressive
Growth Fund
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Needham
Small Cap
Growth Fund
|
Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies
|
Interested Director
|
||||
George A. Needham
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Independent Directors
|
||||
John W. Larson
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
James P. Poitras
|
Over $100,000
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
F. Randall Smith
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Name of
Independent
Director
|
Name of Owner
and Relationship to
Independent Director
|
Company
|
Title of Class
|
Value of
Securities
|
Percent of Class
|
James P. Poitras
|
James P. Poitras, Trustee of James P. Poitras Trust 072595
|
Needham Emerging Growth Partners, L.P
|
Limited Partnership Interest
|
$
5,257,559
|
2.78%
|
James P. Poitras
|
Joyce W. Poitras, Trustee of Joyce W. Poitras Trust 72595; Joyce W. Poitras is the wife of James P. Poitras
|
Needham Contrarian Fund, L.P
|
Limited Partnership Interest
|
$2,108,190
|
14.31%
|
James P. Poitras
|
James P. Poitras
|
Needham Capital Partners II, L.P.
|
Limited Partnership Interest
|
$
16,607
|
0.65%
|
James P. Poitras
|
James P. Poitras
|
Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.
|
Limited Partnership Interest
|
$15,114
|
0.35%
|
Name and Address
|
Percent Held
|
Nature of
Ownership
|
National Financial Services
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
|
32.21%
|
Record
|
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
24.53%
|
Record
|
George A. Needham
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
|
5.90%
|
Beneficial
|
ITEM 28.
|
Exhibits
|
ITEM 29.
|
Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant:
|
ITEM 30.
|
Indemnification:
|
ITEM 31.
|
Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser:
|
ITEM 32.
|
Principal Underwriter:
|
Name and Principal
Business Address
|
Positions and Offices
with Distributor
|
Positions and Offices
with Registrant
|
John J. Prior, Jr.
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
None
|
Andrew J. Malik
|
Chairman
|
None
|
Chad W. Keck
|
Vice Chairman and Managing Director
|
None
|
Andre R. Horn
|
Director
|
None
|
Thomas Shanahan
|
Director
|
None
|
Robert J. Fiordaliso
|
Managing Director and
Acting Chief Financial Officer
|
None
|
James M. Abbruzzese
|
Managing Director and Chief
Administrative Officer
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
James Apostolides
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Charles V. Baltic
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
John O. Barr
|
Managing Director
|
Executive Vice President and Co-
Portfolio Manager of Needham Growth
Fund; Executive Vice President and
Portfolio Manager of Needham
Aggressive Growth Fund
|
Gunjeet D. Baweja
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Laura Black
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Nathaniel Q. Bolton
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Stephen Bracco
Steven Camp
Alan Carr
Marc Chehlaoui
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
None
None
|
Samir S. Desai
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Christopher M. Dowd
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Sean C. Dwyer
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Rolf Edelman
Ehud Eisenstein
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
|
Roxana Fariborz
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Simon Gill
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Rajvindra Gill
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Robin Graham
Carl C. Hamann
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
|
Sean Hanley
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Patricia Hardina
Thomas Heanue
Bruce Henderson
John Higgins
Michael Huang
Jack J. Iacovone
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
None
None
None
None
|
Philip Ianniello
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael Jason Kelley
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
James P. King
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Richard J. Kugele
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
John Lazo
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Bernard Lirola
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Thomas A. Maloney
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Laura Martin
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael Matson
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Sean P. McGowan
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Pooyan Mehdizadeh
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Salvatore Merlino
Yeuk-Fai Mok
Michael Nauyokas
John O’Brien
|
Managing Director and Chief
Compliance Officer
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
None
None
|
Alexander Park
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Brian Perrault
Jeffrey Posner
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
|
Gregory Pringle
Dan Rafferty
Christopher J. Retzler
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
Executive Vice President and Co-
Portfolio Manager of Needham Growth
Fund; Executive Vice President and
Portfolio Manager of Needham Small
Cap Growth Fund
|
James A. Ricchiuti
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Christian Rice
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael C. Rode
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Gary Russillo
Thomas Schwartz
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
|
Polina Sudat
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Mayank Tandon
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Richard F. Valera
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Elliot H. Wilbur
Robert Zeller
|
Managing Director
Managing Director
|
None
None
|
ITEM 33.
|
Location of Accounts and Records:
|
ITEM 34.
|
Management Services:
|
None
|
ITEM 35.
|
Undertakings:
|
None
|
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
|
/s/ George A. Needham
|
|||
George A. Needham
|
Director, Chairman and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
April 30, 2015
|
|
/s/ John W. Larson
|
|||
John W. Larson
|
Director
|
April 30, 2015
|
|
/s/ James P. Poitras
|
|||
James P. Poitras
|
Director
|
April 30, 2015
|
|
/s/ F. Randall Smith
|
|||
F. Randall Smith
|
Director
|
April 30, 2015
|
|
/s/ James W. Giangrasso
|
|||
James W. Giangrasso
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
and Secretary (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
|
April 30, 2015
|
Exhibit No.
|
Document
|
|
EX.99.d.2
|
Fee Waiver Agreement
|
|
EX.99.g.(2)
|
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement
|
|
EX.99.h.4
|
Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement
|
|
EX.99.h.5
|
Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement
|
|
EX.99.h.6
|
Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement
|
|
EX.99.i.2
|
Consent of Legal Counsel
|
|
EX.99.j.1
|
Consent of KMPG LLP
|
1.
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement by the Adviser.
For the 12-month period ended April 30, 2016, if the aggregate direct expenses of a Portfolio, exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage, dividends on short positions, fees and expenses of “acquired funds” (as defined in Form N-1A) and extraordinary items, and excluding shareholder redemption fees but including the management fee stated in the Advisory Agreement, exceed 1.95% of a Portfolio’s average daily net assets, the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payments to be made to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, or the Adviser will bear, such excess expense.
|
2.
|
Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses.
The Adviser has a right to receive from each Portfolio reimbursement for fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements made pursuant to this Agreement for a period of up to 36 months (the “Reimbursable Period”) from the time of any waiver or reimbursement made pursuant to Section 1 hereof, provided that after giving effect to such reimbursement Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as used in Form N-1A) (exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage, dividends on short positions, fees and expenses of “acquired funds” (as defined in Form N-1A) and extraordinary items, and excluding shareholder redemption fees but including the management fee stated in the Advisory Agreement) do not exceed 1.95% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets during each 12-month period ended April 30 in the Reimbursable Period.
|
3.
|
Amendment; Assignment.
No amendment of this Agreement shall be made without the consent of both parties. No assignment of this Agreement shall be made by the Adviser without the prior consent of the Fund.
|
4.
|
Duration and Termination.
This Agreement shall supersede that certain Fee Waiver Agreement by and between The Needham Funds, Inc. and the Adviser dated as of April 24, 2014. This Agreement, except Section 2 hereof, shall automatically terminate at the close of business on April 30, 2016.
|
THE NEEDHAM FUNDS, INC.
|
NEEDHAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT L.L.C
|
By:
/s/ James W. Giangrasso
|
By:
/s/ James W. Giangrasso
|
Name:
James W. Giangrasso
|
Name:
James W. Giangrasso
|
Title:
Secretary & Treasurer
|
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
|
THE NEEDHAM FUNDS, INC. |
U.S. BANK, N.A
|
By:
/
s/ James W. Giangrasso
|
By:
/s/ Michael R. McVoy
|
Name: James W. Giangrasso
|
Name: Michael R. McVoy
|
Title: Secretary and Treasurer
|
Title: Senior Vice President
|
10/2014 | 1 |
§
|
$ XXXX – Book entry DTC transaction/Federal Reserve transaction/principal paydown
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Repo agreement/reverse repurchase agreement/time deposit/CD or other non-depository transaction
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Option/SWAPS/future contract written, exercised or expired
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Mutual fund trade/Fed wire/margin variation Fed wire
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Physical security transaction
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Check disbursement (waived if U.S. Bancorp is Administrator)
|
§
|
$ XXXX – Segregated account per year
|
§
|
No charge for the initial conversion free receipt.
|
§
|
Overdrafts – charged to the account at prime interest rate plus 2%, unless a line of credit is in place
|
§
|
$ XXXX / year
|
§
|
1-5 foreign securities: $
XXXX
|
§
|
6-25 foreign securities: $ XXXX
|
§
|
26-50 foreign securities: $ XXXX
|
§
|
Over 50 foreign securities: $ XXXX
|
§
|
Euroclear – Eurobonds only. Eurobonds are held in Euroclear at a standard rate, but other types of securities (including but not limited to equities, domestic market debt and mutual funds) will be subject to a surcharge. In addition, certain transactions that are delivered within Euroclear or from a Euroclear account to a third party depository or settlement system, will be subject to a surcharge.
|
§
|
For all other markets specified above, surcharges may apply if a security is held outside of the local market.
|
§
|
Charges incurred by U.S. Bank, N.A. directly or through sub-custodians for local taxes, stamp duties or other local duties and assessments, stock exchange fees, foreign exchange transactions, postage and insurance for shipping, facsimile reporting, extraordinary telecommunications fees, proxy services and other shareholder communications
or other expenses which are unique to a country in which the client or its clients is investing will be passed along as incurred.
|
§
|
A surcharge may be added to certain out-of-pocket expenses listed herein to cover handling, servicing and other administrative costs associated with the activities giving rise to such expenses. Also, certain expenses are charged at a predetermined flat rate.
|
§
|
SWIFT reporting and message fees.
|
10/2014 | 4 |
1.
|
Appointment of USBFS as Fund Accountant
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of USBFS
|
A.
|
Portfolio Accounting Services:
|
(1)
|
Maintain portfolio records on a trade date+1 basis using security trade information communicated from the Fund’s investment adviser.
|
(2)
|
For each valuation date, obtain prices from a pricing source approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and apply those prices to the portfolio positions. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Directors shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for such securities.
|
(3)
|
Identify interest and dividend accrual balances as of each valuation date and calculate gross earnings on investments for each accounting period.
|
(4)
|
Determine gain/loss on security sales and identify them as short-term or long-term; account for periodic distributions of gains or losses to shareholders and maintain undistributed gain or loss balances as of each valuation date.
|
(5)
|
On a daily basis, reconcile cash of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.
|
(6)
|
Transmit a copy of the portfolio valuation to the Fund’s investment adviser daily.
|
(7)
|
Review the impact of current day’s activity on a per share basis, and review changes in market value.
|
B.
|
Expense Accrual and Payment Services:
|
(1)
|
For each valuation date, calculate the expense accrual amounts as directed by the Company as to methodology, rate or dollar amount.
|
(2)
|
Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization from the Company.
|
(3)
|
Account for Fund expenditures and maintain expense accrual balances at the level of accounting detail, as agreed upon by USBFS and the Company.
|
(4)
|
Provide expense accrual and payment reporting.
|
C.
|
Fund Valuation and Financial Reporting Services:
|
(1)
|
Account for Fund share purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, dividend reinvestments, and other Fund share activity as reported by the Fund’s transfer agent on a timely basis.
|
(2)
|
Apply equalization accounting as directed by the Company.
|
(3)
|
Determine net investment income (earnings) for the Fund as of each valuation date. Account for periodic distributions of earnings to shareholders and maintain undistributed net investment income balances as of each valuation date.
|
(4)
|
Maintain a general ledger and other accounts, books, and financial records for the Fund in the form as agreed upon.
|
(5)
|
Determine the net asset value of the Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in the Fund’s current prospectus.
|
(6)
|
Calculate per share net asset value, per share net earnings, and other per share amounts reflective of Fund operations at such time as required by the nature and characteristics of the Fund.
|
(7)
|
Communicate to the Company, at an agreed upon time, the per share net asset value for each valuation date.
|
(8)
|
Prepare monthly reports that document the adequacy of accounting detail to support month-end ledger balances.
|
(9)
|
Prepare monthly security transactions listings.
|
D.
|
Tax Accounting Services:
|
(1)
|
Maintain accounting records for the investment portfolio of the Fund to support the tax reporting required for “regulated investment companies” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
|
(2)
|
Maintain tax lot detail for the Fund’s investment portfolio.
|
(3)
|
Calculate taxable gain/loss on security sales using the tax lot relief method designated by the Company.
|
(4)
|
Provide the necessary financial information to calculate the taxable components of income and capital gains distributions to support tax reporting to the shareholders.
|
E.
|
Compliance Control Services:
|
(1)
|
Support reporting to regulatory bodies and support financial statement preparation by making the Fund’s accounting records available to the Company, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the independent accountants.
|
(2)
|
Maintain accounting records according to the 1940 Act and regulations provided thereunder.
|
(3)
|
Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any certification required of the Company pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, provided the same shall not be deemed to change USBFS’s standard of care as set forth herein.
|
(4)
|
Cooperate with the Company’s independent accountants and take all reasonable action in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion on the Fund’s financial statements without any qualification as to the scope of their examination.
|
3.
|
License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
|
A.
|
The valuation information and evaluations being provided to the Company by USBFS pursuant hereto (collectively, the “Data”) are being licensed, not sold, to the Company. The Company has a limited license to use the Data only for purposes necessary for valuing the Company’s assets, reporting to regulatory bodies and for use in the Company’s marketing materials, including without limitation its quarterly letters to shareholders and quarterly fact sheets (the “License”). The Company does not have any license or right to use the Data for purposes beyond the intentions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, resale to other users. The License is non-transferable and not sub-licensable. The Company’s right to use the Data cannot be passed to or shared with any other entity other than The Needham Group, Inc., Needham Asset Management, LLC or other affiliates of the Company.
|
B.
|
THE COMPANY HEREBY ACCEPTS THE DATA AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER MATTER.
|
C.
|
USBFS may stop supplying some or all Data to the Company if USBFS’s suppliers terminate any agreement to provide Data to USBFS. Also, USBFS may stop supplying some or all Data to the Company if USBFS reasonably believes that the Company is using the Data in violation of the License, or breaching its duties of confidentiality provided for hereunder, or if any of USBFS’s suppliers demand that the Data be withheld from the Company. USBFS will provide notice to the Company of any termination of provision of Data as soon as reasonably possible.
|
4.
|
Pricing of Securities
|
A.
|
For each valuation date, USBFS shall obtain prices from a pricing source recommended by USBFS and approved by the Board of Directors and apply those prices to the portfolio positions of the Fund. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Directors shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for such securities.
|
B.
|
In the event that the Company at any time receives Data containing evaluations, rather than market quotations, for certain securities or certain other data related to such securities, the following provisions will apply: (i) evaluated securities are typically complicated financial instruments. There are many methodologies (including computer-based analytical modeling and individual security evaluations) available to generate approximations of the market value of such securities, and there is significant professional disagreement about which method is best. No evaluation method, including those used by USBFS and its suppliers, may consistently generate approximations that correspond to actual “traded” prices of the securities; (ii) methodologies used to provide the pricing portion of certain Data may rely on evaluations; however, the Company acknowledges that there may be errors or defects in the software, databases, or methodologies generating the evaluations that may cause resultant evaluations to be inappropriate for use in certain applications; and (iii) the Company assumes all responsibility for edit checking, external verification of evaluations, and ultimately the appropriateness of using Data containing evaluations, regardless of any efforts made by USBFS and its suppliers in this respect.
|
5.
|
Changes in Accounting Procedures
|
6.
|
Changes in Equipment, Systems, Etc.
|
7.
|
Compensation
|
8.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Company hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
B.
|
USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
9.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither USBFS nor its suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company or any third party in connection with USBFS’s duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’s control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS and its suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS or its suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS or its suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Company, as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, or (Y) the Data, or any information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’s directors, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Company pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
10.
|
Notification of Error
|
11.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
12.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
A.
|
USBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Company, all records and other information relative to the Company and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Company (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where USBFS may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Company. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of USBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of USBFS prior to receipt thereof from the Company or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
|
B.
|
The Company, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees, will maintain the confidential and proprietary nature of the Data and agrees to protect it using the same efforts, but in no case less than reasonable efforts, that it uses to protect its own proprietary and confidential information.
|
13.
|
Records
|
14.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
15.
|
Term of Agreement; Amendment
|
16.
|
Duties in the Event of Termination
|
THE NEEDHAM FUNDS, INC. |
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/
s/ James W. Giangrasso
|
By:
/s/ Michael R. McVoy
|
Name: James W. Giangrasso
|
Name: Michael R. McVoy
|
Title: Secretary and Treasurer
|
Title: Executive Vice President
|
Name of Series
|
|
Needham Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Aggressive Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund
|
ADMINISTRATION, FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES
ANNUAL FEE SCHEDULE at June, 2010
|
3
Domestic
Funds:
Annual Fee Based Upon Market Value Per Fund*
7 basis points on the first $xx million
5 basis points on the next $xxx million
4 basis points on the balance
Minimum annual fee: $xxxx per 3 Fund complex
Advisor Information Source Web Portal
§
$xxxxx/ year per complex
Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee*
§
$xxxxx /year
SEC §15(c) Reporting
§
$xxx /fund per report – first class
§
$xxxx /additional class report
Annual Legal Administration
–
Support of external legal counsel, including annual registration statement update and drafting of supplements:
§
0.5 basis point at each level
§
$xxxxx additional minimum per complex
§
Proxy drafting billed at $175 per hour
Daily Pre- and Post-Tax Performance Reporting
§
Performance Service – $xxx /CUSIP per month
§
Setup – $xxx /CUSIP
§
FTP Delivery – $xxxx setup /FTP site
Daily Compliance Services (Charles River)
§
Base fee – $xxxx /fund per year
§
Setup – $xxxx /fund group
§
Data Feed – $xxx /security per month
Blue Sky Conversion Fee:
§
$xxxx/fund complex
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Including but not limited to postage, stationery, programming, special reports, systems expenses, proxies, insurance, EDGAR filing, retention of records, multiple classes, federal and state regulatory filing fees, expenses from Board of directors meetings.
All fees are billed monthly plus out-of-pocket expenses, including pricing, corporate action, and factor services:
§
Pricing Services
−
$xxx Domestic and Canadian Equities/Options (if necessary)
−
$xxx International Equities/Futures
−
$xxx International Bonds
−
$xxx /Foreign Equity Security per Month for Corporate Action Service
−
$xxx /Month Manual Security Pricing (>10/day)
§
Fair Value Services (FT Interactive)
−
$xxx on the First 100 Securities/Day
−
$xxx on the Balance of Securities/Day
Fees are billed monthly.
*Subject to annual CPI increase, Milwaukee MSA.
|
1.
|
Appointment of USBFS as Administrator
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of USBFS
|
A.
|
General Fund Management:
|
(1)
|
Act as liaison among Fund service providers.
|
(2)
|
Supply:
|
a.
|
Corporate secretarial services.
|
b.
|
Office facilities (which may be in USBFS’s, or an affiliate’s, own offices).
|
c.
|
Non-investment-related statistical and research data as needed.
|
(3)
|
Coordinate the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Directors”) communications, such as:
|
a.
|
Prepare meeting agendas and resolutions, with the assistance of Fund counsel.
|
b.
|
Prepare reports for the Board of Directors based on financial and administrative data.
|
c.
|
Evaluate independent auditors.
|
d.
|
Secure and monitor fidelity bond and director and officer liability coverage, and make the necessary Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings relating thereto.
|
e.
|
Prepare minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and Fund shareholders.
|
f.
|
Recommend dividend declarations to the Board of Directors and prepare and distribute to appropriate parties notices announcing declaration of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
g.
|
Attend Board of Directors meetings and present materials for Directors’ review at such meetings.
|
(4)
|
Audits:
|
a.
|
Prepare appropriate schedules and assist independent auditors.
|
b.
|
Provide information to the SEC and facilitate audit process.
|
c.
|
Provide office facilities.
|
(5)
|
Assist in overall operations of the Fund.
|
(6)
|
Pay Fund expenses upon written authorization from the Company.
|
(7)
|
Keep the Company’s governing documents, including its charter, bylaws and minute books, but only to the extent such documents are provided to USBFS by the Company or its representatives for safe keeping.
|
B.
|
Compliance:
|
(1)
|
Regulatory Compliance:
|
a.
|
Monitor compliance with the 1940 Act requirements, including:
|
(i)
|
Asset diversification tests.
|
(ii)
|
Total return and SEC yield calculations.
|
(iii)
|
Maintenance of books and records under Rule 31a-3.
|
(iv)
|
Code of ethics requirements under Rule 17j-1 for the independent Directors.
|
b.
|
Monitor Fund’s compliance with the policies and investment limitations as set forth in its prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (the “SAI”).
|
c.
|
Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any certification required of the Company pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, provided the same shall not be deemed to change USBFS’s standard of care as set forth herein.
|
d.
|
Monitor applicable regulatory and operational service issues, and update Board of Directors periodically.
|
(2)
|
Blue Sky Compliance:
|
a.
|
Prepare and file with the appropriate state securities authorities any and all required compliance filings relating to the qualification of the securities of the Fund so as to enable the Fund to make a continuous offering of its shares in all states.
|
b.
|
Monitor status and maintain registrations in each state.
|
c.
|
Provide updates regarding material developments in state securities regulation.
|
(3)
|
SEC Registration and Reporting:
|
a.
|
Assist Fund counsel in annual update of the Prospectus and SAI and in preparation of proxy statements as needed.
|
b.
|
Prepare and file annual and semiannual shareholder reports, Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, and Form N-Q filings and Rule 24f-2 notices. As requested by the Company, prepare and file Form N-PX filings.
|
c.
|
Coordinate the printing, filing and mailing of Prospectuses and shareholder reports, and amendments and supplements thereto.
|
d.
|
File fidelity bond under Rule 17g-1.
|
e.
|
Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the appropriate state authorities.
|
(4)
|
IRS Compliance:
|
a.
|
Monitor the Company’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), including without limitation, review of the following:
|
(i)
|
Asset diversification requirements.
|
(ii)
|
Qualifying income requirements.
|
(iii)
|
Distribution requirements.
|
b.
|
Calculate required distributions (including excise tax distributions).
|
C.
|
Financial Reporting:
|
(1)
|
Provide financial data required by the Prospectus and SAI.
|
(2)
|
Prepare financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities, performance reporting companies, the Board of Directors, the SEC, and independent accountants.
|
(3)
|
Supervise the Fund’s custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of the Fund’s general ledger and in the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments, the determination of net asset value and the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
|
(4)
|
Compute the yield, total return, expense ratio and portfolio turnover rate of each Fund.
|
(5)
|
Monitor the expense accruals and notify the Company’s management of any proposed adjustments.
|
(6)
|
Prepare monthly financial statements, which include, without limitation, the following items:
|
a.
|
Schedule of Investments.
|
b.
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
c.
|
Statement of Operations.
|
d.
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
|
e.
|
Cash Statement.
|
f.
|
Schedule of Capital Gains and Losses.
|
(7)
|
Prepare quarterly broker security transaction summaries.
|
D.
|
Tax Reporting:
|
(1)
|
Prepare and file on a timely basis appropriate federal and state tax returns including, without limitation, Forms 1120/8613, with any necessary schedules.
|
(2)
|
Prepare state income breakdowns where relevant.
|
(3)
|
File Form 1099 for payments to independent Directors and other service providers.
|
(4)
|
Monitor wash sale losses.
|
(5)
|
Calculate eligible dividend income for corporate shareholders.
|
3.
|
Compensation
|
4.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Company hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
B.
|
USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
|
5.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. USBFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’s control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Company, as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’s directors, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Company pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
6.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
7.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
8.
|
Records
|
9.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
10.
|
Term of Agreement; Amendment
|
11.
|
Duties in the Event of Termination
|
12.
|
Assignment
|
13.
|
Governing Law
|
14.
|
No Agency Relationship
|
15.
|
Services Not Exclusive
|
16.
|
Invalidity
|
17.
|
Legal-Related Services
|
18.
|
Notices
|
19.
|
Multiple Originals
|
THE NEEDHAM FUNDS, INC.
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/James W. Giangrasso
|
By:
/s/Michael R. McVoy
|
Name: James W. Giangrasso
|
Name: Michael R. McVoy
|
Title: Secretary and Treasurer
|
Title: Executive Vice President
|
Name of Series
|
|
Needham Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Aggressive Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
ADMINISTRATION, FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES
ANNUAL FEE SCHEDULE at June, 2010
|
3
Domestic
Funds:
Annual Fee Based Upon Market Value Per Fund*
7 basis points on the first $ XXXX million
5 basis points on the next $ XXXX million
4 basis points on the balance
Minimum annual fee: $ XXXX per 3 Fund complex
Advisor Information Source Web Portal
§
$ XXXX / year per complex
Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee*
§
$
XXXX /year
SEC §15(c) Reporting
§
$ XXXX /fund per report – first class
§
$ XXXX /additional class report
Annual Legal Administration
–
Support of external legal counsel, including annual registration statement update and drafting of supplements:
§
0.5 basis point at each level
§
$ XXXX additional minimum per complex
§
Proxy drafting billed at $175 per hour
Daily Pre- and Post-Tax Performance Reporting
§
Performance Service – $
XXXX
/CUSIP per month
§
Setup – $
XXXX
/CUSIP
§
FTP Delivery – $
XXXX
setup /FTP site
Daily Compliance Services (Charles River)
§
Base fee – $
XXXX
/fund per year
§
Setup – $
XXXX
/fund group
§
Data Feed – $
XXXX
/security per month
Blue Sky Conversion Fee:
§
$
XXXX
/fund complex
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Including but not limited to postage, stationery, programming, special reports, systems expenses, proxies, insurance, EDGAR filing, retention of records, multiple classes, federal and state regulatory filing fees, expenses from Board of directors meetings.
All fees are billed monthly plus out-of-pocket expenses, including pricing, corporate action, and factor services:
§
Pricing Services
−
$
XXXX
Domestic and Canadian Equities/Options (if necessary)
−
$
XXXX
International Equities/Futures
−
$
XXXX
International Bonds
−
$
XXXX
/Foreign Equity Security per Month for Corporate Action Service
−
$
XXXX
/Month Manual Security Pricing (>10/day)
§
Fair Value Services (FT Interactive)
−
$
XXXX
on the First 100 Securities/Day
−
$
XXXX
on the Balance of Securities/Day
Fees are billed monthly.
*Subject to annual CPI increase, Milwaukee MSA.
|
CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER
SUPPORT SERVICES at June, 2010
|
U.S, Bancorp provides support to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of each fund serviced either by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC or Quasar Distributors, LLC. Indicated below are samples of functions performed by USBFS in this CCO support role:
•
Business Line Functions Supported
•
Fund Administration and Compliance
•
Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services
•
Fund Accounting
•
Custody Services
•
Securities Lending Services
•
Distribution Services
•
CCO Portal – Web On-line Access to Fund CCO Documents
•
Daily Resource to Fund CCO, Fund Board, Advisor
•
Provide USBFS/USB Critical Procedures & Compliance Controls
•
Daily and Periodic Reporting
•
Periodic CCO Conference Calls
•
Dissemination of Industry/Regulatory Information
•
Client & Business Line CCO Education & Training
•
Due Diligence Review of USBFS Service Facilities
•
Quarterly USBFS Certification
•
Board Meeting Presentation and Board Support
•
Testing, Documentation, Reporting
Fees are billed monthly.
*Subject to annual CPI increase, Milwaukee MSA.
|
1.
|
Appointment of USBFS as Transfer Agent
|
2.
|
Services and Duties of USBFS
|
A.
|
Receive and process all orders for the purchase, exchange, and/or redemption of shares in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act.
|
B.
|
Process purchase orders with prompt delivery, where appropriate, of payment and supporting documentation to the Company’s custodian, and issue the appropriate number of uncertificated shares with such uncertificated shares being held in the appropriate shareholder account.
|
C.
|
Arrange for the issuance of shares obtained through transfers of funds from Fund shareholders’ accounts at financial institutions and arrange for the exchange of shares for shares of other eligible investment companies, when permitted by the Fund’s prospectus (the “Prospectus”).
|
D.
|
Process redemption requests received in good order and, where relevant, deliver appropriate documentation to the Company’s custodian.
|
E.
|
Pay monies upon receipt from the Company’s custodian, where relevant, in accordance with the instructions of redeeming shareholders.
|
F.
|
Process transfers of shares in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions, after receipt of appropriate documentation from the shareholder as specified in the Prospectus.
|
G.
|
Process exchanges between Funds and/or classes of shares of Funds both within the same family of funds and with a First American Money Market Fund, if applicable.
|
H.
|
Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Company with respect to the Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder instructions.
|
I.
|
Serve as the Fund’s agent in connection with accumulation, open account or similar plans (e.g., periodic investment plans and periodic withdrawal plans).
|
J.
|
Make changes to shareholder records, including, but not limited to, address changes in plans (e.g., systematic withdrawal, automatic investment, dividend reinvestment).
|
K.
|
Handle load and multi-class processing, including rights of accumulation and purchases by letters of intent.
|
L.
|
Record the issuance of shares of the Fund and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), a record of the total number of shares of the Fund which are authorized, issued and outstanding.
|
M.
|
Prepare shareholder meeting lists and, as necessary, mail, receive and tabulate proxies.
|
N.
|
Mail shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current shareholders.
|
O.
|
Prepare and file U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate information returns required with respect to dividends and distributions for all shareholders.
|
P.
|
Provide shareholder account information upon request and prepare and mail confirmations and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases, redemptions and other confirmable transactions as agreed upon with the Company.
|
Q.
|
Mail requests for shareholders’ certifications under penalties of perjury and pay on a timely basis to the appropriate federal authorities any taxes to be withheld on dividends and distributions paid by the Company, all as required by applicable federal tax laws and regulations.
|
R.
|
Answer correspondence from shareholders, securities brokers and others relating to USBFS’s duties hereunder.
|
S.
|
Reimburse the Fund each month for all material losses resulting from “as of” processing errors for which USBFS is responsible in accordance with the “as of” processing guidelines set forth on
Exhibit B
hereto.
|
3.
|
Lost Shareholder Due Diligence Searches and Servicing
|
4.
|
Anti-Money Laundering and Red Flag Identity Theft Programs
|
(a)
|
Prompt written notification of any transaction or combination of transactions that USBFS believes, based on the Procedures, evidence money laundering or identity theft activities in connection with the Company or any shareholder of the Fund;
|
(b)
|
Prompt written notification of any customer(s) that USBFS reasonably believes, based upon the Procedures, to be engaged in money laundering or identity theft activities, provided that the Company agrees not to communicate this information to the customer;
|
(c)
|
Any reports received by USBFS from any government agency or applicable industry self-regulatory organization pertaining to USBFS’s anti-money laundering monitoring or the Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Program on behalf of the Company;
|
(d)
|
Prompt written notification of any action taken in response to anti-money laundering violations or identity theft activity as described in (a), (b) or (c); and
|
(e)
|
Certified annual and quarterly reports of its monitoring and customer identification activities on behalf of the Company.
|
5.
|
Compensation
|
6.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
A.
|
The Company hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
|
|
(4)
|
A registration statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, has been made effective prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and appropriate state securities law filings will be made prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will continue to be made during the term of this Agreement as necessary to enable the Company to make a continuous public offering of its shares.
|
B.
|
USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
|
|
(1)
|
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
|
|
(2)
|
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
|
|
(3)
|
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
|
|
(4)
|
It is a registered transfer agent under the Exchange Act.
|
7.
|
Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
|
A.
|
USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. USBFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’s control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Company, as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’s directors, officers and employees.
|
B.
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
C.
|
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
|
D.
|
If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Company pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
|
8.
|
Data Necessary to Perform Services
|
9.
|
Proprietary and Confidential Information
|
10.
|
Records
|
11.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
12.
|
Term of Agreement; Amendment
|
13.
|
Duties in the Event of Termination
|
THE NEEDHAM FUNDS, INC.
|
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
|
By:
/s/James W. Giangrasso
|
By:
/s/Michael R. McVoy
|
Name: James W. Giangrasso
|
Name: Michael R. McVoy
|
Title: Secretary and Treasurer
|
Title: Executive Vice President
|
Name of Series
|
|
Needham Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Aggressive Growth Fund
|
|
Needham Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
TRANSFER AGENT & SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
ACCOUNT SERVICES FEE SCHEDULE at July, 2010
|
Annual Service Charges to the Fund Complex*
|
|
§
Complex Base Fee
|
$XXXX /year
|
§
NSCC Level 3 Accounts
|
$ XXXX /open account
|
§
No-Load Fund Accounts
|
$ XXXX /open account
|
§
Load Fund Accounts
|
$ XXXX /open account
|
§
Daily Accrual Fund Accounts
|
$ XXXX /open account
|
§
Closed Accounts
|
$ XXXX /closed account
|
Activity Charges
|
|
§
Manual Shareholder Transaction
|
$ XXXX /transaction
|
§
Omnibus Account Transaction
|
$ XXXX /transaction
|
§
Correspondence
|
$ XXXX /item
|
§
Telephone Calls
|
$ XXXX /minute
|
§
Voice Response Calls
|
$ XXXX /call
|
Conversion & Implementation Charges
§
$ XXXX for the fund complex
Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee*
§
$
XXXX /year
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Including but not limited to telephone toll-free lines, call transfers, mailing, sorting and postage, stationery, envelopes, programming, service/data conversion, AML verification services, special reports, insurance, record retention, processing of literature fulfillment kits, microfilm, microfiche, proxies, proxy services, lost shareholder search, disaster recovery charges, ACH fees, Fed wire charges, NSCC charges, data communication and implementation charges, travel, and training.
Additional Services
Available but not included above are the following services - Expedited CUSIP setup, FAN Web shareholder e-commerce, Vision intermediary e-commerce, FAN Mail electronic data delivery, sales reporting data warehouse, investor e-mail services, literature fulfillment, lead conversion reporting, 12b-1 aging, Same Day Cash Flow System, Short-Term Trader reporting, and Jumbo Pricing.
|
TRANSFER AGENT & SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES - FEE SCHEDULE at July, 2010
|
Charges Paid by Investors
Shareholder accounts will be charged based upon the type of activity and type of account, including the following:
Qualified Plan Fees
§
$ XXXX /qualified plan acct (Cap at $ XXXX /SSN)
§
$ XXXX /Coverdell ESA acct (Cap at $ XXXX /SSN)
§
$ XXXX /transfer to successor trustee
§
$ XXXX /participant distribution (Excluding SWPs)
§
$ XXXX /refund of excess contribution
§
$ XXXX /reconversion/recharacterization
Additional Shareholder Paid Fees
§
$ XXXX /outgoing wire transfer
§
$ XXXX /overnight delivery
§
$ XXXX /telephone exchange
§
$ XXXX /return check or ACH
§
$ XXXX /stop payment
§
$ XXXX /research request per account (Cap at $ XXXX/request) (For requested items of the second calendar year [or previous] to the request)
Literature Fulfillment Services
§
Account Management
−
$ XXXX /month (account management, lead reporting and database administration)
§
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
−
Kit and order processing expenses, postage, and printing
§
Inbound Teleservicing Only
−
Account Management - $ XXXX /month
−
Call Servicing - $ XXXX /minute
§
Lead Conversion Reporting
−
Account Management- $ XXXX /month
−
Database Installation, Setup -$ XXXX /fund group
−
Specialized Programming - (Separate Quote)*
§
Web On-line Fund Fulfillment
−
Account Management- $ XXXX/month
−
Installation, Setup - $ XXXX /fund group
−
Per Literature Order - $ XXXX /request
§
Follow-up Services
−
Correspondence - $ XXXX /item
Fees exclude postage and printing charges.
Fees are billed monthly.
*Subject to annual CPI increase, Milwaukee MSA.
|
April 30, 2015
|